Water change

[Nu2SW]

OK so i changed about 20% of my water, and my nitrates is just about 20ppm, I did a small water change when I cleaned out some brown algae 5 Gallons, and it hasnt gone down yet.

I only leave my lights on four about 3-4 hours a night when i get home from work.

So should i do like a 40% or 50% water change?

 

[Reefugee]

What do you currently have in the tank? What are you other water parameter?

If I remember correctly, your tank is still pretty new. If that is the case, some brown algae is normal. I wouldn't worry about doing a 50% water change.

 

[Nu2SW]

50 pounds of LS and 50 pounds of LS

My nitrites is at 0, nitrates at 20ppm, salinity is 1.02, jumping it up to 1.022 tonight, ph is about 7.4-7.8 i cant remember to well.

Im trying to boost my ph up to 8.0 slowly... its been about 3 weeks, a lil over..

 

[Reefugee]

So it is a relatively new tank. Like I said - the brown algae (I think they are actually diatoms) on the sand is perfectly normal. Just continue with your water changes, and in a few weeks, they should disappear.

If you want to raise your PH, use some baking soda. I can't recall the difference between the one that is baked (in the oven) vs the one that is straight out of the box. Someone else here might be able to explain.

Minh

 

[Pico1]

just get some seachem ph buffer

 

[Nu2SW]

Its not just on the sand it was all over the LR in the tank also. I had the light on too long. I scrubbed the rock and killed the lights for only 3-4 hours a night and it hasnt came back. IM actually getting some purple coraline on my LR.

I have a product that raises ph but it goes very slow not to stress the fish.

 

[Reefugee]

Seachem pH buffer = baking soda.

Kent pH buffer 1000g = $10.95
Salifer pH Buffer 1000 ML = 24.90

Arm & Hammer Baking Soda 1lb (454 grams) = $0.99

So the Kent pH buffer is about 5x more expensive. The Salifert pH buffer is 12x more expensive. BTW - you might also see them advertise KH + pH buffer. It's still just baking soda.

Minh

 

[Nu2SW]

LOL yeah I got the Kent... LOL

I dont know if I could trust my self with normal baking soda... HAH