New Hanna Checkers

[Bob46]

I just received my new Hanna Checkers to day and did my first tests. I have never tested for phosphate before and it said it was at 0 which I find hard to believe. So I tested again and again 0.
That puzzles me because I have some small spots of hair algae and spots of cyano. Also I tested for my DKH and it said it was 4.7 the first time and 4.4 the second.
I have some Duncans and Zoas and Palys. The Duncans and Zoas seem fine but the Palys have not been opening all the way for about a week. Can my alk really be that low.

 

[nogascans]

Where is nitrate measured. Hair algae certainly needs some nutrients, where Cyano, well it pretty much lives where everything else cannot!

P04 might not be that low but rather being absorbed into rock. Which P04 test kit is it? The high range or low range?

Very possible the Alk is that low. Which kit are you using? dKh or ppm? Follow the instructions and keep the vial clean? Mix up some new water at 1.025 and perform a similar test. If results are closer to expected new mixed SW dKh, then Alk is low.

Sincerely,

David

 

[Bob46]

I have the regular phosphate checker not the ultra low one so my po4 could be at .o4 with the checkers margin of error. Nitrates are a little high at 20ppm and the checker for the alk is the dkh one. As you said I will make some water and test and see what happens.


Thanks

 

[Bob46]

I did a test with fresh salt water and the reading was 9.0 dkh. So I guess it is low in the tank.

 

[Bob46]

My ph is 8.1 I dont have the calcium number yet. Would it be ok to raise my alk with baking soda?

 

[Bob46]

Well calcium tested at 417. What is the best alk number to shot for any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[LQT]

I keep mine around 8-9. Be careful in raising your dKH to too quickly all at once. Use the BRS dosing calculator to help you figure out how much baking soda to dose (dry sodium bicarbonate).

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reef-calculator

 

[nogascans]

I second the go-slow-route.

But rather than just add Alk supplements including baking soda, go the safe route and just do some new water changes over the next two weeks, say every 2-3 days using 7-10 gallons (Your avatar shows a 75 gallon tank,<10%) until that # (Alk) moves into the 8-9 range. Then, once you get to that parameter on Alk keep a log for a week measuring every other day to see how much Alk your tank is using. This will give you an idea on daily consumption and then you can add suppliments (ONLY IF NEEDED) to keep Alk in the 8-9 range.

This should also help to get the Nitrates down which will be beneficial to livestock as well. Keep in mind that as your livestock recovers from high nitrates they will start to grow/multiply and you will need to adjust on Alk dosing/water changes to keep things steady!

Sincerely,

David

 

[CButkos]

If you decide to dose, I would recommend baking some baking soda which converts it to sodium carbonate and I believe uses less powder. Dose very slowly, don't be impatient, do it over the course of a week or two

Edit: this article explains it all
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/


Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

 

[ryeguyy84]

is the powder on the phosphate test fully dissolved before you are putting it in the tester (for C2)?

 

[anthonys51]

are you dosing now currently.

what type of salt mix are you using.
just because it read 9, doesn't mean your testing correctly. the salt mix might have a dkh of 13
so lets start with your salt mix and are you currently dosing and if so with what.

 

[anthonys51]

I have the regular phosphate checker not the ultra low one so my po4 could be at .o4 with the checkers margin of error. Nitrates are a little high at 20ppm and the checker for the alk is the dkh one. As you said I will make some water and test and see what happens.


Thanks

you needed to buy the low range one, the high range is kind of useless imo for reef tanks
try returning it , probably cant but you need the low range one

 

[tkeracer619]

Cyano is likely using up all the po4. If you get rid of it the po4 will rise. The majority of po4 in a reef tank is loosely bound in the calcium rock/sand. Only a very small amount is free in the water. The test is not absolute but a good indicator of what is going on in a reef when you unserstand it's relationship in the reef as well as other indicators.