Parameters

[bullock111]

I wanted to get your opinions on my parameters, 90 gallon tank with sump, skimmer, refugium with chaeto. I haven't had any foam in my skimmer for over a week until tonight when I was doing maintenance. I have 3 one inch fish, 1 pistol shrimp 1 conch 7 assorted snails and about 10 small blue hermits. 5 different frags. tank is 2 months old.

all tests done twice

ammonia 0 api kit
Nitrite 0.00 api kit
nitrate 0.00 api kit
alk 6.4 hanna tester
calc 476 hanna tester
phosphate 0.00 hanna tester
ph 8.16 digital tester

I do 20 gallon water change every two weeks, last week was the water change. it seems to me that some of my readings should be above 0.00 that's why I tried each test two time. what does everyone think I am doing wrong???

 

[mcgyvr]

Your alk is a bit low and cal too high... What salt mix are you using?
Besides that your parameters are fine...why do you think something is wrong?...
Too easy or something?

You have a very low bioload and shouldnt expect much "waste" and probably aren't overfeeding...

What test kits are you using?

You can cut back on water changes if you want to see if nutrient levels rise a bif
.

 

[bullock111]

I am using the red sea coral, everything seems happy but its been going to easy so far, I am wondering when its gonna go wrong...lol...how do I raise alk and lower calcium?

 

[mcgyvr]

I wouldnt do anything about your alk/cal at this point..
There is some inaccuracies in the test kits so you are "close enough" at this point..
Continue to monitor them to see if they start to trend one way or another..

Enjoy...this hobby doesn not always need to involve a horror story...too many people freaking out over minor issue all the time makes it seem like that sometimes..

 

[homer1475]

6.4 DKH ALK?


While not dangerously low, it is certainly low enough for any type of coral, and the health of your fish and would warrant some intervention on your part to raise it. Baking soda mixed in RO/DI is a perfect ALK supplement.



Google Randy's DIY 2 part for the exact measurements, then use this calc to figure out how much to add.



http://reef.diesyst.com/flashcalc/flashcalc.html


FYI, Don't raise your ALK more then 1 DKH a day.

 

[crawlerman]

If you decide to raise alk, dose at about 1/5 the recommended amount and bring it up slowly. Fast change is known for causing problems. Honestly, if everything looks healthy, I would just leave it be. Don't fix what's not broken.

 

[ChronicReefH2o]

The parameters that are usually aimed for is as follows:

Salinity: 1.024 - 1.026 sg
Temp: 76-78 F
Alk: 8-10 dKh
Cal: 420 - 450 ppm
Mag: 1380 - 1450 ppm

Using Red Sea Coral Pro should have elevated these parameters a lot higher... be careful tho cause doing water change with RSCP all the time with elevated levels can lead to issues. Keep an eye out on these and do your checks before and after a water to make sure everything isn't being adjusted to quickly. A shock to your system is a shock to your pockets down the road.

 

[bullock111]

I have been told I shouldn't see alk so low for the amount of things in the tank, I am trying to make sure I am not doing something wrong with the hanna checker when I test

 

[mcgyvr]

I have been told I shouldn't see alk so low for the amount of things in the tank, I am trying to make sure I am not doing something wrong with the hanna checker when I test

Inaccuracies from testing are entirely possible. Getting a second or even third opinion on those results isnt a bad idea...local fish stores will often test for free