New Tank - First water test results

[MAXreefer]

Hi guys,
my tank is running now for about 2 weeks.
I have some water test results I did today.
Can anybody tell me how I am doing?

Water temp: 79
Salinity: 1.025
pH: 8.0
alkalinity: Normal (reading from the color result sheet)
calcium: 600 (corrected this: it is 500)
ammonia: 0.3
nitrite: 0.05
nitrate: 5.0

Anything I have to worry about?
Thanks for any suggestions
Michael

 

[hmello@bermexin]

Are you sure the calcium is 600? should be n the 430 to 450 renge. Looks as if you are cycling. What is in the tank?

 

[drummereef]

What testkits are you using for calcium and alkalinity? Colormetric alk tests are quite innacurate. Salifert makes very nice alk/calcium tests. I would target 7-11dkh and 400-450 for calcium.

 

[juniormc8704]

have you added any live rock? Also may want to add some PH buffer if your already have live rock in tank. 8.0 is a little low. are you using testing strips or the liquid drops? ive found the liquid drops to be ALOT cheaper, and easy to read for acuracy. Calcium seems awful high, make sure you are following the test directions carefully, as you may have waited too long to take the reading. Good luck, its alot of fun, just be sure to be patient.

HTH

Paul

 

[MAXreefer]

ooopps..My mistake! Calcium is 500.

Yes I am cycling the tank
Started 02/24/07
34 Gl. RedSea Max Tank
2 x 55 T5 power compacts
10,000K/Actinic lighting
2 x 550 lph circulation pumps
150W Heater
Skimmer with 1,200 lph/320 gph pump

 

[MAXreefer]

Thanks for all those quick replies.
Here are the answers to all those replies:

>>>I am ysing a Red Sea Test lab kit.
And yes I used the colormetric test for alk. Will have a look at your suggestions to change to another test method.

>>>I added live rock and using the liquid drops. You were right. Calcium was to high. Did the test again. It reads 500.

Michael

 

[hmello@bermexin]

How much rock and how much sand do you have in the tank? Was the rock live, cured, base?

 

[SHAWNLX86]

let's see some pics, they just got a demo of that tank at lfs, looks sweet!!!! i'm thinking of getting one

 

[MAXreefer]

Have about 24 pounds cured live rock right now.
Here are some pics also

 

[iamquockie]

seems kinda soon to be trying to keep a blue tort looking coral eh?