Water testing company

[jansenwrasse]

We are looking for specifics.

test kits and levels determined using said test kits. It is more likely that there is something else besides non-tested elements that oculd be causing the issues. For example if you are making your own 2 part with DOW flake.

What would you do with the results anyways? What if there was excess Chromium? Getting the results are not always the answer since the treatment may be the same, water changes.

Just trying to help

 

[Dawn II]

If there were an excess of something- isuch as copper-I would know what I was looking for, then you find the source. Water chges are about 25% every 10 days to 2 weeks, to keep nitrates- (15-20) down. No measureable PO3. 2 part is Natureef, using their doser, which doses about 8 hrs at night.

 

[mhaith]

I think they are simply wanting to help with review of your set-up. Perhaps the problem is not in your water parameters but with lighting spectrums, livestock incompatabilities, filtration, flow, feeding, etc.
Perhaps thinking in broader terms than water parameters?

 

[Dawn II]

OK- as previously stated, putting higher, or lower, in high flow or low flow doesn't matter. The fish I have and lighting are next to my signature.

 

[Thales]

Without specifics we are all just making uneducated guesses. If you list your water parameters, we'll have a place to start.

As I mentioned earlier, RTN happens to lots of people, often without apparent reason, and its causes are not understood all that well. To some, it seems seasonal, and may come on due to temp fluctuations. Some think it may be triggered by pollen in the air. Some think it is a pathogen. We don't really know and it is indeed frustrating.

That said, seeing a list of your parameters will be very helpful in trying to help you.

 

[2thdeekay]

I agree with Thales. Your STN could be caused by a retrovirus, there are so many unknowns. It would be good to start with what is known.

 

[Dawn II]

PH 8.3, DK9-10, CA 400-450,NO3 15-20, Amon & Nitrite 0,PO3 0,Magnesium aprox 1500 last time measured.

 

[2thdeekay]

Here's a good article on water parameters, but you've probably already read it.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

 

[Dawn II]

Your opinion is?

 

[2thdeekay]

If it were my system, I'd try lowering nitrate. Mg is a little high, but I know some successful aquariusts who like it as high as you have.

RDSB would work nicely to lower nitrate pretty quick.

 

[Ralph ATL]

Nitrates are too high for one, and phosphates need to be measured with a test kit that measures in low detection, i.e., DD Merck, Hach, or colormeter. It just might be. Your nutrients, as previously, discussed.

 

[2thdeekay]

Mysterybox, do you use the Merck PO4 test?

 

[Ralph ATL]

yes, I do. I also had the HACH test which is known to be one of the most accurate, & I tested a sample with each kit & the results were exactly the same. I kept the DD Merck since it was simpler to use.

 

[Thales]

Randy still doesn't 'like' AWT either:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1396484

 

[Ralph ATL]

he doesn't trust their potassium test (neither do I, and probably isn't aware that they "fixed" their calcium testing. It was dead on with Elos.

 

[2thdeekay]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12620289#post12620289 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mysterybox
yes, I do. I also had the HACH test which is known to be one of the most accurate, & I tested a sample with each kit & the results were exactly the same. I kept the DD Merck since it was simpler to use.

I've never used AWT before, and I hesitate to do so.

What I wanted to know is how the AWT phosphate readings compare with the Merck PO4 test?

Thanks.

 

[Ralph ATL]

DD Merck shows <0.024 & AWT showed 0.01

DD Merck's scale goes from 0.024 to 0.00. I know it is somewhere between.

 

[Dawn II]

Nitrates- Julian Sprung was in Ft Myers several weeks ago to speak at Bishop Verot high school to the local club. At this time, I had been dosing vodka for nitrates, and had a question about the amt. to keep dosing. When i told him what i had in my tank, and what my nitrates were, he did not feel my nitrates were a great concern. If the PO4 isn't detectable with my test kit, why would I be concerned with such a low level? I am looking for not the most accurate kit in the world, but why I have recession. I hoped to find an answer beyond what I am testing for. Is it more of a likely hood that it would be the couple of leathers?

 

[2thdeekay]

Did you tell Julian that you were having STN, at the levels you're at? He might have suggested that you try lowering NO3 to normal seawater levels (You don't need to use vodka or other carbohydrate to do so, just FYI).

I don't think phosphate is an issue for your tank--people are just discusssing AWT testing reliability.

People may not have a hard & fast answer for you. If you think it's your leathers, you should test that & isolate them. If you want to try lowering your nitrates to less than 1ppm, that certainly wouldn't hurt. Just play with your hunches, as it's your call.

AWT testing doesn't seem very expensive, but I haven't tried them. They will give you a bunch of readings, but it won't be of much help unless you know what you're looking for.

 

[billsreef]

I'd agree with Julian that your nitrates are not high enough to be the problem. They could give you algae problems at worst, but not high enough to actually be a problem for the corals by themselves. The phosphate issue comes down to the fact that many of the hobby kits out there will give you nice low numbers or even a nice 0 while you still have high enough PO4 levels to be a problem.

One other (two really) question comes to mind. What salt are you using, and are using RO/DI for your fresh water to mix your SW and for top off?

Depending on the answers to those question, I'd say that upping your carbon use and some hefty water changes would solve things.