Water Test Results

[northdade]

hey i just did my first water test and it didnt look to good.
The salinity level was 1.027
temp. = 82 degrees
Alk. = nor / high (on the closer side to high)
Ph = 8.6
Nitrite = .05
Nitrate = 100 - 20
Amonia = .25
Calcium = couldn't tell to good but it seemed as if it were way off.

If anyone has suggestions, that would be great. We are due for a water change this week and I just added some PH buffer.
Thanks

 

[northdade]

can anyone also tell me what the idea params. are for a reef tank?

 

[Surfzup2k4]

why did you add ph buffer?

 

[miztic]

ammonia, nitrites and nitrates should be 0
sounds like you're cycling, once the bacteria get established the ammonia and nitrites should read 0, not sure how you got the nitrates that high.

 

[ACBlinky]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6579645#post6579645 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Surfzup2k4
why did you add ph buffer?

Agreed - if pH is 8.6 (high) and your alk is normal to high (are there actual numbers on the test?) you don't need to add more buffer, you've got more than enough already.
You said Ca seemed 'way off', is it low? There's a relationship between alk, Ca and Mg, they're all interrelated - AFAIK if alk is too high, chances are Ca will be low.

I'm not sure of the 'ideal parameters' (and I think what works for one tank may not work for another), but there's an article around here somewhere - run a search if you can, it should pop up. Try to get things as close to NSW as possible. I'll take a stab at it, don't quote me on this.

pH 8.2-8.4
8-11dKH
Mg 1250-1350 ppm
Ca 380-450 ppm
SG 1.024-1.026
temp 76-82F
NH3 0
NO2 0
NO3 0-10 (as low as you can get it)
PO4 undetectable (again, as low as you can get it)

 

[wrott]

Sounds like your test kits are substandard. If you are dripping kalk, that could explain pH and possibly Alk/Ca misbalances. I would think WCs and diff. brand kits would fix problems.

 

[Paintbug]

heres the normal parameters:
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

if your ph is high why are you adding buffer? its just going to make it worse, and probablly rise the Alk along with it. you may want to look into getting some good test kits such as Sailfert, or SeaChems.

 

[acrocrazy]

ammonia 0, nitrates should also be 0 but can be a max of 10, nitrite 0, Salinity 1.025