Are my test results ok?

[cyberpunk]

Salinity - 1.025
Ph - 8.4
Temp - 80
Ammonia - .25
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 20

Obviously they aren't perfect, but they're ok right? Anything I should be concerned about or do to fix?

One thing I worry about is my flake food tends to get stuck in my HOB overflow. This thing is a pain to clean, is it important I keep that stuff out? If so, how do I prevent the current from taking food on the surface directly in there?

Thx.

 

[nvdiz]

add filter floss of some sort to the intake of the overflow

your tests are not alright actually. ammonia should be 0

 

[Jd205]

You want to get that ammonia closer to 0 but I haven't been able to get my nitrates below 40 yet so I would be happy with 20 right now. My tanks is still under 2 months old though. Im assuming you dont have any livestock and your asking if your ready? I would want to get the ammonia closer to undetectable before adding anything.

 

[Jd205]

guess I didnt notice the food part, since you have fish you may want to dose with amquel to get the ammonia down quickly.

 

[cyberpunk]

My ammonia has never been anything other than 0. I'm assuming something changed. Did a water change tonight, will recheck tomorrow. Other than the ammonia how am I doing?

Inhabitants -
2 false percs
green chromis
yellow goby
cleaner wrasse
assorted softies
choc chip star
bubble tip anemone
bubble coral
couple of LPS frags

 

[gweston]

Your PH of 8.4, was that tested in the morning, afternoon, evening? Your PH fluctuates throughout the day.. rises during daylight, goes down after dark. I keep mine around 8.1-8.2, but I hear anywhere between 7.9-8.4 is fine for most tanks. My PH shifts between 0.1-0.2 over 24 hours. I have a refugium on a reverse cycle to help keep the swing reduced.

You definitely want to get that ammonia down. The water change will help. Maybe something died, or detritus/sand bend got kicked up somehow causing a spike. It could just be temporary. Skim, do a few water changes over a few days, and hopefully it drops back to 0.

Have your LFS test your water too. It could be that your test kit is reading incorrectly too.

If it really spikes and gets to dangerous levels, you may need to hit the tank with amquel+ to neutralize ammonia before it hurts your critters. But I'd do that if you are cornered and things are looking bad. Better to let the tank/bacteria deal with it.