New 10g, Heavy Breathing.
- Thread starter FishRhard
- Start date
I remember testing my freshwater tanks a few times for dkH when I first got those going and it was always high, but acceptable. The fish were always happy so I didn't attempt to number chase.
However with this marine tank its been a different story. Using an API test kit my results are:
Raw Tap: 11 dkh, 7.5 ph
Salt Mix: 18 dkh, 7.8 ph
Tank current state: 25 dkh, ph 8.1
So my instant ocean salt mix raises the alkalinity dramatically. Also I've been adding reef buffer to my top off water so that there wouldn't be a PH shock. However after seeing the tests I now know that its raising the alkalinity up severely high, and will discontinue use.
My question now is my alkalinity will still be 18 after using my IO salt mix. How do I lower my alkalinity? (I don't have a calcium or Magnesium test kit : / )
Also, I added 2 additional hobs (without filters or media) last night just for the added oxygen. They were 2 penguin 100b's. Not including my main filter I currently have about 240/GPH (24x turnover). Fish still breathing hard this morning : /
However with this marine tank its been a different story. Using an API test kit my results are:
Raw Tap: 11 dkh, 7.5 ph
Salt Mix: 18 dkh, 7.8 ph
Tank current state: 25 dkh, ph 8.1
So my instant ocean salt mix raises the alkalinity dramatically. Also I've been adding reef buffer to my top off water so that there wouldn't be a PH shock. However after seeing the tests I now know that its raising the alkalinity up severely high, and will discontinue use.
My question now is my alkalinity will still be 18 after using my IO salt mix. How do I lower my alkalinity? (I don't have a calcium or Magnesium test kit : / )
Also, I added 2 additional hobs (without filters or media) last night just for the added oxygen. They were 2 penguin 100b's. Not including my main filter I currently have about 240/GPH (24x turnover). Fish still breathing hard this morning : /
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I use Instant Ocean and I've never seen the alkalinity come in that high. Even with Reef Crystals the highest I ever saw it was 11-12. Before you go any further, I'd get a second opinion on your dKh. Either a different brand of test kit, or have your LFS check it.
Another thing, you tested raw tap? Is that what you are using for water or do you buy/make your own RODI? If you are using tap, is it a well or city water?
Another thing, you tested raw tap? Is that what you are using for water or do you buy/make your own RODI? If you are using tap, is it a well or city water?
gone fishin
New member
A couple of thoughts. You mention GHA algae taking over the tank. This indicates you got some excess nutrients in the water. In a 10g tank with What I would guess to be maybe 8g of water, a large increase of GHA IMO can significantly reduce oxygen.
With your Alkalinity that high, if accurate, Then that can be an issue. I do not think it can get that high without help. Are you adding a pH buffer if so stop. If that is the case then we can discuss this in more detail.
The nem is certainly not helping the issue. I would suspect it is just a matter of time before it dies and wreaks havoc on the tank.
Good luck just my 2 cents.
With your Alkalinity that high, if accurate, Then that can be an issue. I do not think it can get that high without help. Are you adding a pH buffer if so stop. If that is the case then we can discuss this in more detail.
The nem is certainly not helping the issue. I would suspect it is just a matter of time before it dies and wreaks havoc on the tank.
Good luck just my 2 cents.
CStrickland
New member
The salt mixes we use are meant to be added to pure water, rodi filtered or distilled. Using tap water that has alk to start with is going to push dkh higher than you want it. Then on top of that, ph buffers are like a temporary ph fix that leaves alk in the water.
You probably don't need the buffer at all, they aren't very good for reef tanks. Ph is more of a fresh water test, sw you want to track alk instead. It's like you are starting with hard water and making it much harder.
Can you get a couple batches of pure water or mixed sw from a fish shop to get on track?
You probably don't need the buffer at all, they aren't very good for reef tanks. Ph is more of a fresh water test, sw you want to track alk instead. It's like you are starting with hard water and making it much harder.
Can you get a couple batches of pure water or mixed sw from a fish shop to get on track?
As you can imagine it really surprised me as well. Oddly enough in my desperate endeavor for answers to this dilemma I've stumbled across a surprising number of threads looking for an alternate salt mix because their IO salt is raising their alkalinity to unacceptable levels. Never could find a good alternative though.
Also yes i'm using city water from the tap.
I had thought about that myself, and seemed like a pretty good idea until I remembered testing some of their water awhile back. Pretty disturbing stuff.
gone fishin
New member
Do you know if your city water has chloramines or chlorine added to it. Chloramines are tougher to get rid of then chlorine. I assume your adding something to the tap water to treat it before adding to the tank.
I use reef crystals and have to dose alk and calcium to my water. That is not your issue. Your issue is your tap water. You should go pick up some RODI from the lfs and do a wc. Make sure the salt is mixed well. I let it mix for 24 hours using a powerhead to keep it moving. At this point you may want to get some premixed saltwater and do a wc.
Also you want to invest in RODI unit asap.
Not really sure about the difference between chlorine and chloramines. I will start reading on it now. Also I use prime to treat the tap.
As much as I would like to. I think i'm gonna have a pretty difficult time explaining to my wife that I need an expensive RODI unit for my 10 gallon tank. I just recently got furloughed from work and as its the holidays you can imagine $$$ is tight. Hopefully work will start bringing people back soon.
I don't have a calcium test kit, but could my calcium be low? and with the addition of calcium wouldn't that lower my alk?
I don't have a calcium test kit, but could my calcium be low? and with the addition of calcium wouldn't that lower my alk?
gone fishin
New member
I would at the very least get some jugs of distilled water, check out Walmart, and do a water change. I would suspect the tap water may be the root cause of a lot of your problems. whatever is left in the tap can drive some pretty good GHA growth for example.
gone fishin
New member
Personally for a 10g I would not get a RO/DI. I would however find a decent LFS to purchase water from. Once the tank is sorted out then you probably can get away with 1g a week WC's
CStrickland
New member
Prime is treating the chloramine and / or chlorine. The water is likely safe for fish as far as that goes since it sounds like you have used it for freshwater tanks. There's 2 things going on with the water that you aren't used to coming from freshwater:
1) As your tank grows and you want to add coral, some other things in the tap water can be problematic, like copper. Some of those can soak into the rocks now and make an issue later on. It's stuff that doesn't hurt fish or people but coral won't tolerate.
2) Reef tank lights mimic the sun, so algae can have a field day if there is fertilizer in the water. That can come from food and fish waste, and also impurities tap water.
For a 10g I wouldn't buy a rodi either. The Walmart distilled water with a purple cap is the go to for many nano (small tank) reefers. A few water changes will bring the alk down but you need to be careful when you change more than 20% of the water in the tank that the new water is the same temp and salinity. In a little tank like this it's easy to shock the animals and a couple degrees difference is hard on them.
You have another issue here tho. It sounds like you have a lemon chromis, they need a bigger tank. Your stocking options are limited in a 10g because of the fish's territory, personal space, waste production, and natural swimming habits. As opposed to a lot of fw fish reef fish generally come from the wild and they need more space generally to thrive in captivity.
Honestly in your shoes I'd return the nem and the fish, get the tank on track and then start over with appropriate pets. Here's some fish that are happy in a little tank, and down the road when things are settled you can def get a nem. This website has good info about what fish need, and you can show it to the wife on your phone in the store or whatev so you aren't the bad guy who won't get the critter
http://m.liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm?c=15+2124
PS you can't just boil the water, you'd have to capture and cool the steam leaving behind the contaminates. Walmart water is like $1 gallon. Don't get the Ro or drinking water as those will have minerals that you are trying to avoid, you need distilled
1) As your tank grows and you want to add coral, some other things in the tap water can be problematic, like copper. Some of those can soak into the rocks now and make an issue later on. It's stuff that doesn't hurt fish or people but coral won't tolerate.
2) Reef tank lights mimic the sun, so algae can have a field day if there is fertilizer in the water. That can come from food and fish waste, and also impurities tap water.
For a 10g I wouldn't buy a rodi either. The Walmart distilled water with a purple cap is the go to for many nano (small tank) reefers. A few water changes will bring the alk down but you need to be careful when you change more than 20% of the water in the tank that the new water is the same temp and salinity. In a little tank like this it's easy to shock the animals and a couple degrees difference is hard on them.
You have another issue here tho. It sounds like you have a lemon chromis, they need a bigger tank. Your stocking options are limited in a 10g because of the fish's territory, personal space, waste production, and natural swimming habits. As opposed to a lot of fw fish reef fish generally come from the wild and they need more space generally to thrive in captivity.
Honestly in your shoes I'd return the nem and the fish, get the tank on track and then start over with appropriate pets. Here's some fish that are happy in a little tank, and down the road when things are settled you can def get a nem. This website has good info about what fish need, and you can show it to the wife on your phone in the store or whatev so you aren't the bad guy who won't get the critter
http://m.liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm?c=15+2124
PS you can't just boil the water, you'd have to capture and cool the steam leaving behind the contaminates. Walmart water is like $1 gallon. Don't get the Ro or drinking water as those will have minerals that you are trying to avoid, you need distilled
