RODI and IO mix Alky still high?????

[Ecsurfer76]

So I posted about my parms a couple days ago. Followed all the advice in dramatic water changes and have went through about 100 gallons of water. I have my alky down from 25dk to 14dk. Cant get any lower last two wc it has not moved. Went down retested my saltwater mix and it aswell is at 14dk what the hell? Why is my supposed rodi IO mix reading such high alky?

 

[MrX]

Are you sure you're doing the test(s) right? Have you taken a sample to an LFS or another Reefer to get a second opinion?

Seems strange that newly mixed IO would report high levels.

 

[this is me]

It's not your RODI. It's your salt mix! Verify the test kit is valid and get another batch of salt if it is.

 

[jackd625]

What test kit are you using? Is it expired? Not making any mistakes?

What are your other parameters reading?

 

[planereefer]

Did you get some bad salt mix by chance? Have you tried mixing up the bag of salt mix before adding to your water?

My RODI and IO salt mix gives me about 5.5 - 6 dKH

 

[Ecsurfer76]

Exactly..I did go to a lfs and he tested it and got a faulty reading he says.wth that means idk. O did I mention he was high then a kite..lol was alil dissapointed. Nothing against it but damn not while your testing my water. Alky test 5ml dropper vertical and one drop at a time tip after each drop until yellow. Then thats the magic number which should be between 8 & 12???????

 

[P-Nut]

So I posted about my parms a couple days ago. Followed all the advice in dramatic water changes and have went through about 100 gallons of water. I have my alky down from 25dk to 14dk. Cant get any lower last two wc it has not moved. Went down retested my saltwater mix and it aswell is at 14dk what the hell? Why is my supposed rodi IO mix reading such high alky?

My reef crystals mixes at around 12 - 14dkh. My salifert and red sea kits measured that. But it has been a while since I tested the salt because it has always been constant for me.

What test are you using?
Also, like others said above, shake the bucket, and hold your breath when opening it.

 

[Ecsurfer76]

Api..... calc. 300 ,tra and tri 0, alky 14dk, phos between .0 & .25

 

[Ecsurfer76]

I have a maxi 12 running inside my 55 gallon mix.

 

[P-Nut]

Api..... calc. 300 ,tra and tri 0, alky 14dk, phos between .0 & .25

Calcium at 300? Whats your salinity?

I dont know how good API is for alk. I only use it for Calcium and found out that it is usually off by around 10ppm, but constant, which is good. I never got a reading lower than 450 for calcium with salinity at 1.026 (with reef crystals).

 

[KSC]

It's got to be a faulty test kit or user error. There would be no way to get your alk up to 25dkh without dosing something. Did you have a "snowstorm" in your tank? If you had coral in your tank is it all dead?

 

[Ecsurfer76]

Luckily no live stock. Salinity is at 1.024 right now with refrac.

 

[Ecsurfer76]

Just chked again same readings. Like to think its not user error. Grrrrrrrrr

 

[Ecsurfer76]

http://m.youtube.com/my_videos#/watch?v=8YEzOh2o00M. Link to video of my set up.

 

[Rick C]

Link doesn't work. Check out elos test kits for alk. I seem to have good luck with their kits.

 

[Ecsurfer76]

Its under MichaelScott 110 gallon setup on you tube....

 

[stingythingy45]

You know,I wouldn't really sweat over having 14 dkh.
I think if you calcium was higher your alk would come down.
It's too bad the second opinion guy was high.I would have been nice to know what another test kit reads.
How did you buy the salt mix?Bag,bucket?
Sometimes,or at least I've heard this can happen.The alk portion can seperate from the calcium.
Leaving more of one towards the top.Some suggest mixing the salt before using it.
I haven't had any issues with 200 gal(4 -50 lb.bags)Reef Crysals.

 

[Ecsurfer76]

I got the 200 gallon box of instant ocean 4 seprate bags. I have Myk from aquatic creations stopping in today to test my water for me. Super guy and great new store in Nashua area.. hope all goes well.

 

[KSC]

That's a good step. Have him check the freshly mixed IO too (I'm curious). Just remember these hobby grade kits aren't that accurate, though they can duplicate thier inaccurate readings fairly well. I once bought 4 different brand Alk kits and tested my water. I got 4 different results ranging from 8dkh to 12dkh. I believe the API was the highest and the Elos was the lowest. I then tested some natural seawater and the Elos read 6dkh (nsw should be about 7 dkh). I now just add 1dkh to my Elos reading and only use the Elos kit.