Why is my alkalinity so high

[lucydlpn1]

My alkalinity is measuring 5.5 meq/l which converts to 15.5 dkh. How do I get it to drop? I have been doing water changes weekly but it always comes out as 5.5 meq/l. Is there something I can do besides water changes? My calcium is high and I know they go hand in hand. I have stopped adding the part a and b supplement for the last week but my alkalinity isn't going down. HELP!!

 

[Anonymous]

What is your Ca reading?
I'd stop adding any additives until you get your levels closer to natural sea water levels.

 

[IslandCrow]

That's high, but I don't think it's going to cause any serious problems. If you don't have any corals or coraline algae, nothing is really using the calcium or alkalinity, so it will drop very slowly, even with water changes. As PitPat said, you'll definitely want to stop using the Part A&B until it gets to normal levels. If you're just following the directions on the supplement, realize whoever wrote it has no idea how much calcium or alkalinity demand your tank has, so it really comes down to trial and error.

A couple quick questions for you:

1) What type of salt are you using (some have notoriously high alkalinity and/or calcium)?
2) Do you have any corals (stoney corals particularly)?

 

[lucydlpn1]

I have no stony corals. Only leather corals. And I use natural sea water by catalina. I have stopped using part a and b and plan on purchasing a new test kit just in case I am getting false Hi results. My calcium today was 450

 

[IslandCrow]

Sounds like you're on the right track. Since you have no stoney corals, it makes sense that your levels aren't falling very rapidly. Most leather corals actually do use small amounts of calcium carbonate, but generally not enough to require supplementation. If you keep up with your water changes, that part A & B is more than likely unnecessary. That amount of calcium and carbonate supplementation is generally only required for tanks with a significant number of stoney corals. You may want to consider a kalkwasser drip, but I wouldn't waste my money buying any more of the 2-part.