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How to lower dKH?

10K views 9 replies 4 participants last post by  au01st 
#1 ·
Got the tank all setup and most of the numbers look great. It's currently cycling with some live rock. My dKH is high, 16, so how would I go about getting it down? I plan to keep a number of soft corals, zoas, mushrooms, etc, and don't want them to have any trouble.

My other numbers are:

Ammonia: .25ppm
Nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrate: 0ppm
PH: 8.4 (my tap water has high PH)
Phosphate: 0
Calcium: 420
S.G. 1.022

I don't have a Mg test kit yet, but soon. All the rest of the tests are from A.P.I.

I have not used any additives or buffers. I used Instant Ocean "Reef Crystals" salt mix. Will it go down on its own with time? I want everything to be right before I start adding live stuff. Should I bump the S.G. up a bit more to 1.023-24?
 
#2 ·
check this site Melevsreef.com - Chemical Solutions then hit [ctrl] + [F] and type lower alkalinity and what are you trying to keep in the tank? fish soft corals SPS? if coral then you'll need to raise your SG to1.025-1.026
 
#9 ·
The SG will not fluctuate on a regular basis. Some salt will be lost to salt creep, but this adjustment should be minimal. You will also see SG raise due to evaporation, but daily water replacement will prevent this from being an issue. I think 1.025 is on the high end, and would personally suggest 1.023 to 1.024.

Don't be concerned about the 16dkh reading. It should naturally fall. Honestly, given the calcium reading of >400ppm... i am willing to bet that your DKH test result is incorrect.
 
#10 ·
Ran all tests again last night.

PH - 8.3
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 0
Phosphate - 0
Calcium - 420
dKH - 12! :-D
Mg - 1250
S.G. - 1.024-1.025

Everything looks good! I got a Skunk Cleaner Shrimp a few days ago and he is a sight to see. My tank is in the dining area, probably 15-20ft from where I sit on my couch, and I can pick him out from across the room.
 
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