Calc = 500, phos = .25. RODI on order. Anything else?

[xroads]

I have been fighting algae for it seems like forever. I just got a calc & phos kit & tested those. I just ordered an RO DI unit. Is that going to make a big difference I hope? I am using 3 Coralife deluxe lights for a total of 576 Watts with new bulbs. 4 bulbs are 10K and 2 are antinic. It is on my 125 gallon tank. I believe my flow is about 18X.

Thanks
Craig

 

[Coralfreak]

Hi Craig,

Well having phosphates at .25 would certainly help explain an algae problem. What type(brand) of test kits are you using? I would have to believe with a calcium level of 500 that you alk is most likely low, do you have a test kit for this? If not you should get one, algae also tends to thrive in water with a low alkalinity.

No doubt using RO/DI will significantly help with this problem, it may take some time and several good sized water changes to reduce PO4 levels that high, but it will get there. You may also want to consider using RowaPhos to help reduce your PO4 levels, it isnt the cheapest, but it does work quite well.

Allen

 

[xroads]

I just picked up some Kalkawasser. Do I have to worry about my calcium getting too high, or is there no such thing. I didnt know if .25 was bad or not as the chart went to 5.0. Of course I just broke the $50 bulb on my new sterilizer.

Thanks alot
Craig

 

[Pygmey]

Calcium

Calcium

Yes you do very much so.. If the calcium is jacked up.. Your alk drops.. You have to find a happy medium

 

[xroads]

I thought addid Kalk would raise both? How else can I raise Alk? I am going to test that tonight to see where I am. Where should I be. PH is 8.2

 

[Coralfreak]

.25 is a high PO4 reading, it should be .05 or less, again it would help to know the brand of test kit you are using. Kalkwasser is not a good method to raise either calcium or alkalinity, it is best used to maintain the levels. You should aim for a calcium level of 400-420 and an alk of around 3.5-4 meq/L. As mentioned, if you calcium is high, your alk will be low and vice versa. I'd really need to know your alk level to advise much more.

 

[xroads]

My alk is between 4.5-5.0

 

[Coralfreak]

4.5-5.0 meq/L or dKh?

 

[xroads]

meg

 

[Coralfreak]

First thing to do is see if you can find someone locally with a different set of test kits and try to confirm your readings. Having a high calcium level and alk does not chemically work, however, it can happen for a time if youre dosing heavy amounts of limewater into a tank that doesnt need it. I would also suggest for the time being, that you stop dosing limewater until you can confirm the readings and/or they have dropped to a normal level. I am afraid that your tank may be on its way to a major precipitation of calcium or alk with the readings you have given(not a good thing). Try and go with Salifert test kits, they tend to give more accurate results, are fairly easy to use and reasonably priced.

 

[xroads]

I have never dosed the tank yet. I will retest to confirm tonight. These are supposed to be the good tests from Hagen.

 

[dastratt]

I found this article very helpful. Enjoy !

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

 

[Coralfreak]

Definitely a good article to read. I am assuming that you are currently using tapwater? Since you havent used any limewater, it is also possible that the elevated readings are the result of this, tapwater varies alot, but it can contain both calcium and alkalinity, which when combined with what is in your salt mix, may cause a buildup. I have a feeling once you get your RO/DI going and do a few water changes, it should all begin to balance out much better.