Too High KH?

[Fishyfish]

Hi Bros & Sis,

My KH measures 18 dKH today. I typically don't measure anything apart from salinity. I've not tested for calcium since my calcium monitor probe died on me half a year ago.

The test kit is ELOS which is rather new and therfore quite accurate.

I use an ADV CR using fluidising Rowalith with a secondary chamber using ARM. My top-up water is all made up of calcium hydroxide solution. I use only NSW.

My tank is SPS dominated. They are mostly healthy and growing. Some of them could do with better colours while most of them are of good/acceptable colouration.

Should I panic since it is rather high? Acceptable is 7-12 dKH right? Should I try to lower it? How? Water change? Adjust the flow of the CR? It's set to like peeing now...

Any advise from senior reefers will be much appreciated. Thanks!!

[MOssrope]

Hi Bros & Sis,

My KH measures 18 dKH today. I typically don't measure anything apart from salinity. I've not tested for calcium since my calcium monitor probe died on me half a year ago.

The test kit is ELOS which is rather new and therfore quite accurate.

I use an ADV CR using fluidising Rowalith with a secondary chamber using ARM. My top-up water is all made up of calcium hydroxide solution. I use only NSW.

My tank is SPS dominated. They are mostly healthy and growing. Some of them could do with better colours while most of them are of good/acceptable colouration.

Should I panic since it is rather high? Acceptable is 7-12 dKH right? Should I try to lower it? How? Water change? Adjust the flow of the CR? It's set to like peeing now...

Any advise from senior reefers will be much appreciated. Thanks!!

Kh can rise to that level when your tank does little water changes or the top up water is not balanced.

but at 18dkh your sps have a good chance of having burn tip and STN.

so since your sps are fine, the increase in KH should be gradual and not a one shot event.

if you wish to reduce it, do go very slow on this.

when was the CR introduced?, i think the flow is probably too high and yes water changes will reduce all these if the buffering is done correctly

but if CR and the KH increase were just introduced like maybe today.. you might be in for a busy morning.

rule of the thumb is always to watch your corals reaction.

[Fishyfish]

Kh can rise to that level when your tank does little water changes or the top up water is not balanced.

but at 18dkh your sps have a good chance of having burn tip and STN.

so since your sps are fine, the increase in KH should be gradual and not a one shot event.

if you wish to reduce it, do go very slow on this.

when was the CR introduced?, i think the flow is probably too high and yes water changes will reduce all these if the buffering is done correctly

but if CR and the KH increase were just introduced like maybe today.. you might be in for a busy morning.

rule of the thumb is always to watch your corals reaction.

Thanks bro for your advice. So far no burnt tips or STN. CR been around since 7 mths. High flow from the CR puts more calcium into the water or more KH? How to get balanced top up water? May change some of the water this weekend and remeasure...

Cheers!