Should I be worried about high test results?

[Jon0807]

I just got a Salifert Alk test kit today and decided to try it out. It came up to 9.2! I got worried and tested everything else:

Alk 9.2
Mag 1620
Cal 480
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrates read very high on my API test. I'm waiting on a Salifert test to come in next week to get a more accurate reading
Phosphates 0
PH 8.0-8.2
Salinity 1.025
Temperature 78

Should I be worried about the high alk, mag and cal levels? I did a 20% water change 2 weeks ago and was planning on another this weekend. I use Instant Ocean as directed but I don't understand how the levels can be so high without even dosing anything.

The only corals I have is a small colony of zoas, 2 heads of duncans, and 1 small galaxy coral.

 

[Capiross1]

I'm assuming it's 9.2dkh if that's the case I wouldn't worry at all I wish mine would stay at 9! I'd be looking at your mg being high that's pretty unusual but should come down over time or could be a bad test kit


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[jml1149]

Mag is a little high but you're fine

 

[Lsufan]

If it's the first time using your test kit double check to make sure your using it right. U probably can find a you tube video showing how it's done. If you are using regular instant ocean your alk seems about rite but calcium & mag sound high if your not dosing. They are not really high enough to worry about, it just seems high for your salt mix your using so it might take using the test a few times to figure out the end colors on them & make sure u are using them correctly.
If it is a new setup it might take some time & water changes to get your nitrate down but if it's a established tank you need to figure what is causing the high nitrates if you find they are that high when u get your new test

 

[Jon0807]

If it's the first time using your test kit double check to make sure your using it right. U probably can find a you tube video showing how it's done. If you are using regular instant ocean your alk seems about rite but calcium & mag sound high if your not dosing. They are not really high enough to worry about, it just seems high for your salt mix your using so it might take using the test a few times to figure out the end colors on them & make sure u are using them correctly.
If it is a new setup it might take some time & water changes to get your nitrate down but if it's a established tank you need to figure what is causing the high nitrates if you find they are that high when u get your new test

I've used these salifert tests a few times but I will admit, sometimes I'm a drop or two off simply because I can't tell if I'm supposed to stop at the first sign of the color change or when it's completely changed. It's still a new tank, just about 2 weeks out of the cycle.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Your numbers are fine that you posted. But you never said how high the nitrates are? Also what salt are you using?

 

[Ron Reefman]

Higher than 'normal' Ca, alk and Mg levels are not a serious problem at all (as long as getting there was not a sudden change). It's the ammonia, nitrate and phospate numbers that are the big concern if they get high. And salinity falls kind of in the middle, important but not critical.

Think of it this way, if Ca, alk and Mg are like the oxygen in the air you breathe, and if the oxygen level goes up some, it's not a big deal. However, the ammonia, nitrate and phosphate are like CO2, or natural gas in the air you breathe. It doesn't take too much and you are in real trouble.

 

[BigEZ77]

Are you using Realreef Rock by any chance?

 

[Sk8r]

Lower than 7.9 would be a problem. Your reading is a shade high, but not critically so.

 

[Jon0807]

Your numbers are fine that you posted. But you never said how high the nitrates are? Also what salt are you using?

I'm using Instant Ocean. I think my nitrate tester is out of whack. It's an API tester and it's reading past 180. I have a salifert tester coming some time this week. I know it's high, but I'm just not sure how high.

Higher than 'normal' Ca, alk and Mg levels are not a serious problem at all (as long as getting there was not a sudden change). It's the ammonia, nitrate and phospate numbers that are the big concern if they get high. And salinity falls kind of in the middle, important but not critical.

Think of it this way, if Ca, alk and Mg are like the oxygen in the air you breathe, and if the oxygen level goes up some, it's not a big deal. However, the ammonia, nitrate and phosphate are like CO2, or natural gas in the air you breathe. It doesn't take too much and you are in real trouble.

Nice comparison!

Are you using Realreef Rock by any chance?

I'm using the BRS Reef Saver Rock

 

[BigEZ77]

Hmmm, might be very similar. I know that Realreef Rock leaches mag and cal into the water for the first year or so which will result in high levels. I have the same thing going on and haven't had any ill effects.