nah I don't have those 2 kits yet sadly. That's why I tested GH as well just to get an idea. I'm assuming that since GH is so high that calcium would have to be pretty high as well. Just a guess though.
New 10g, Heavy Breathing.
- Thread starter FishRhard
- Start date
nah I don't have those 2 kits yet sadly. That's why I tested GH as well just to get an idea. I'm assuming that since GH is so high that calcium would have to be pretty high as well. Just a guess though.
CStrickland
New member
I wonder if resting the sw overnight changes the alk? I know that as the o2 and co2 stabilize from aerating the ph changes, and you can tweak the alk w/ muriatic acid (which I hesitate to mention cause I think that would be more trouble than it's worth for op right now). But maybe something to google or if you run this by the chemistry forum.
I don't think a little salt in the box would mean anything. I buy instant ocean reef crystals by the 200 gallons and have seen the same thing.
Is there a lfs nearby that you can bring a sample to so they can test the alk for you? Unless the salt is bad or you are starting with hard water, I can't imagine properly mixed and portioned out IO would do that. Unless for some reason you have a bad batch.
Is there a lfs nearby that you can bring a sample to so they can test the alk for you? Unless the salt is bad or you are starting with hard water, I can't imagine properly mixed and portioned out IO would do that. Unless for some reason you have a bad batch.
gone fishin
New member
I would actually say the calcium would be low.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2002/11/chemistry
the link has common issues and how to fix
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2002/11/chemistry
the link has common issues and how to fix
Okay read your post and noticed my surge protector was unplugged that my filtration was plugged into (little boy must have tripped over it). I was using this filtration to circulate the new batch of salt mix. I took it as a sign from the gods and took a sample as you advised and voila 11 dKH. Before I got too excited I quickly did a 2nd test very carefully with the precision of surgeon. Boom! 10dKH. I guess the fresh salt mix just had get mixed good before proper readings could be taken? Will they likely go back up after filtration/aeration is added?
CStrickland
New member
dunno, I usually stop testing once I get a number I like 
I havent noticed any difference in my IO Reef Crystals between fully dissolved (like a half hour mix) and overnight, so I don't bother doing it that long unless something has gone wrong and I need to change a lot of water. I'm a lot more careful with changes over 20% since I killed a chromis by not matching the temp, but I'm real lazy about my regular 10%
glad you got to the bottom of it, we both learned a lot about water chemistry today lol!
I havent noticed any difference in my IO Reef Crystals between fully dissolved (like a half hour mix) and overnight, so I don't bother doing it that long unless something has gone wrong and I need to change a lot of water. I'm a lot more careful with changes over 20% since I killed a chromis by not matching the temp, but I'm real lazy about my regular 10%
glad you got to the bottom of it, we both learned a lot about water chemistry today lol!
Gosh I know. I feel like my head is going to explode as we speak! xD
Little bit more food for thought though. Coralline algae and hair algae are both running wild in my tank at the moment. Could this possibly mean that my calcium levels are high as well? I don't mind the Coralline but that hair algae is spreading faster than any algae i've ever encountered. Though this is my first experience with "hair" algae.
Little bit more food for thought though. Coralline algae and hair algae are both running wild in my tank at the moment. Could this possibly mean that my calcium levels are high as well? I don't mind the Coralline but that hair algae is spreading faster than any algae i've ever encountered. Though this is my first experience with "hair" algae.
Okay so I added the new batch of saltwater and the water has had time to clear up. It brought the alk down to 15 dkh, but my poor lil buddy is still breathing heavy : /
Any thoughts?
At this point I would suspect a parasite but his hunger is still very apparent. I'm feeding him twice a day and hes eating every bite. The shrimp is too for that matter lol. Everything seems well except for the stupid heavy breathing. I just don't get it.
Any thoughts?
At this point I would suspect a parasite but his hunger is still very apparent. I'm feeding him twice a day and hes eating every bite. The shrimp is too for that matter lol. Everything seems well except for the stupid heavy breathing. I just don't get it.
CStrickland
New member
idk... they breathe heavy when they are stressed for any number of reasons 
gone fishin
New member
IMO it takes quite awhile for a tank to settle down after starting up. This is really magnified with smaller tanks.
It is really hard to say what type of contaminants the tap water brought in. Since your on city water you should be able to find a water quality report from the water provider. Keep in mind this is what the water looked like when sampled, it can and does change especially with the seasons.
I would suggest getting some polyfilter, if memory serves it will pull out all sorts of contaminants and change color to indicate what is getting removed. I would also continue with some WC's to help dilute the tap. Good luck
It is really hard to say what type of contaminants the tap water brought in. Since your on city water you should be able to find a water quality report from the water provider. Keep in mind this is what the water looked like when sampled, it can and does change especially with the seasons.
I would suggest getting some polyfilter, if memory serves it will pull out all sorts of contaminants and change color to indicate what is getting removed. I would also continue with some WC's to help dilute the tap. Good luck
