Carbonate Harness 16

[Brian65901]

what can I do to lower my carbonate hardness I have 140 gallons in my system and Ive done 2- 35 gal water changes and its still maxes out my test kit at 16(using a Salifert test kit). When I test for Alkalinity using a Seachem kit I come up with 4.5 meq/L
My other numbers are:
Salinity 1.023
Nitrate 0
Nitrite 0
pH 8.6
Calcium 460
Amonia 0

I've been using Oceanic Salt in my next water change I'll try IO. I'm making up some RO/DI water as I write

Any help is appreciated

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

what is your MG level?

 

[Brian65901]

I don't have a MG test kit

 

[Sean]

What skimmer do you have?
do you have a lot of aeration and circulation?
sometimes increased aeration with regulate the Alk and p.h.

 

[Brian65901]

I have a MRC 2 skimmer with a Velocity T4 pump on it. My recurculation pump is a Reeflo Snapper. In the tank I have 2 -Koralia 4's and 2-Maxijet 1200 with Hydor Flo's on them It is a new tank set up all I have in the tank is around 150# curred live rock and 3 Blue Damsels (for seeding)

 

[noodleman]

do you dose any two part calcium/buffer or kalk?

 

[ari5736]

following thread, have same issue.

 

[ScottK]

Do you test the water your using for your water changes after you have the salt mixed in? Try making a gallon's worth and test to see if it's the salt mix.

 

[tripstank]

I had the same thing happen. Best course of action, do you a large wc. Be sure to test the new water. I had the same thing happen with Oceanic. I recommend IO or perhaps Tropic Marin.

 

[Cloud1921]

Are you sure the salifert kit maxed out at 16DKH ?
I have never used the seachem kit, but there appears to be a
discrepancy on both readings.

Your pH and Calcium levels are bit high.
Your alk is also high on both kits.

As a solution, you can do large water changes.
An alternative is to "ride it out", turn off your reactors or stop dosing and let your levels drop in the right zone.