IO Salt user please ....

[lastduke]

I am using IO salt in my FOWLR. today I test the CA and ALK using API CA test kit and seacham ALK.

CA=450-500 ppm
ALK=4.5-5 meq/l
Nitrate = 10-20

Why CA is higher than 400ppm (what I heard most IO users get 400ppm after mix)

can I start to dose Kent Tech CB part A and B from now on?

 

[demonsp]

Well 420 is good. Are you testing the batch before you add and are you letting new batch circulate good?

 

[lastduke]

I tested the water from tank, I always use IO water

 

[demonsp]

Amount raised depends on level the tank had before change. Also morning readings are best. Also depending on stock this reading is last on the list. Just be sure all other readings are good.
Check calcium level before next water change and adjust amount changed if needed. You may be changing to much or to often.

 

[demonsp]

Also in your profile add some more info as this helps. Like equiptment , stock tank size and amount of time tanks been running as these help narrow down the response.

 

[lastduke]

thanks demonsp,
more information, the tank has run for 5 month, two damsels one clown fish. no coral so far.
20G tank, 25lbs LR, two HOB filters as circulation, one CPR BAK maxi-jet 1200 (working not very well, few skimmate comes out), 70W MH.

Ammonia, NO2 are always zero after cycle.
demonsp, you are right, I did change water very often in this week to reduce the NO3 for keeping coral in next week. The NO3 was 20-30, it is dropped down to 10-20 now. I have changed water 25% twice in the last two weeks. Does this affect the CA ?

If the CA is still high before next water change, what should I do?

 

[lastduke]

Can I keep the soft coral like zoo under the parameters above?

 

[demonsp]

10% weekly or 20% bi weekly is fine.and needed if you have no skimmer. You said its a FOWLR or fish only with live rock but want coral. Cant have both either FOWLR or reef as some or most FO fish eat coral and inverts.
Also for coral you need good cross flow from powerheads not the filter.
Skip the next few weeks changes then go 10% weekly or best just monitor readings and aslong as readings stay stable you will be fine. Im worried about ammonia cause theres low flow and with all that LR its not detoxifing your water properly. With low flow and no skimmer your asking for trouble.

 

[demonsp]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11133373#post11133373 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lastduke
Can I keep the soft coral like zoo under the parameters above?

I wouldnt add anything but a CUC if you want to go reef untill you beef up flow at the least and think about a skimmer.

 

[lastduke]

demonsp, I have a CPR BAK skimmer running. I think the flow is enough because I have one Aquaclear 30 one Topfin 60 and one Rio 600 powerhead in tank for water flow. Do you think I need more?

 

[demonsp]

Not sure what the top fin is. But add one more rio on the other side for cross flow and your set. Never saw skimmer mentioned so i wasnt sure. JSYK in your profile add as much info as you can like equipment . stock , amount of time tanks been up and running , that your useing RO/DI water , ect.. Helps narrow down suggestions.
Calm down on calcium as with no coral its last on your list worry about alk, ammon, phoshate , ect.. and you will be fine.

 

[lastduke]

Topfin filter is a HOB BioBag fiter which can support 50G tank. the bio-bags were pulled out, just using the pump to create the water flow.
I am using the RO/DI water and skimmer is made by CPR.
yes, I am going to update my profile.

 

[demonsp]

Sounds like your fine , and with only a 20 gal flow should be alright. Like i said dont worry about calcium level. And lower amount you change and get that cleanup crew with lots of sand sifters.

 

[lastduke]

thanks demonsp, the soft coral can survive under NO3 in 10-20?
the snails died a lot before, I think the NO3 killed them.

 

[demonsp]

I would get that SB cleaned up first. You can stir small areas up a few times a week and a HOB filter would help. Also doing this before water changes to remove some of it. The NO3 is filtered by the LR but if you overfeed it cant keep up. And another reason good cross flow is important so water can pass threw the LR for the exchange.

 

[lastduke]

WHAT IS SB?

 

[demonsp]

Sandbed.

 

[lastduke]

What is the purpose to shift the sand by the shifters???