Are there problems when alkalinity is too high?

[coralhead317]

This is a question for those Saltwater chemistry gurus out there. I have a 500 gal system that I recently setup. I have all of the major equipment up and running now and I am trying to get my calcium levels and alkalinity stable before I add anything living. I have been running my Calcium reactor for a couple of weeks now, and it seems to be running like clockwork. I tested my alkalinity and the effluent from the reactor was 32 and my tank was at 15. From what I've read these numbers are a bit high. I'm sure that I could lower them if needed, but what are the problems accociated with such a high alkalinity?

 

[jimmy n]

You will have trouble maintaining ideal calcium levels with an alkalinity that high. Super high alkalinity levels (higher than yours) can melt your corals. The effluent alkalinity of 32 is not bad, you keep it about three times ideal alkalinity for your tank (rule of thumb)