today's water test results

[mrarturocampos]

Temp. 78.2
Ph 8.3
Salinity. 1.023
Calcium 480
Photo. 0
Nitrites. 0
Nitrate. 0
Ammon. 0
Alkalinity. 11
Mg. 1600

Hey guys, I've started testing my water religiously about 2 months ago, and these were my results today. I dose kalk+2 at night. My biggest problem has been keeping my ph and alk up, that's why I dose kalk+2. But now I think my calcium and mg are a bit high. I'm thinking about stopping the kalk+2 till the calcium and mg go down and dose aquavitro eight.four to maintain ph and alk up...any thoughts and/or suggestions are greatly appreciated it

[Zen Reef]

I wouldn't chase a number for ph. As long as its in range and more importantly, stable then you're fine. How much Kalk are you dosing?

You're alk and ph is in the higher range as it is. What are you wanting to get it to?

[mrarturocampos]

I'm only dosing 3/4 tsp in a drip at night. Well the ph and alk are where I want them to be, but I think the calcium and mg are high

[Reefnub]

Is this a reef tank or fish tank cuz yo salinity is low for reef tank.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2

[mrarturocampos]

Reef, should it be at 1.025?

[Scutterborn]

I keep my reef at 1.025.

Your pH, Mg and Alk are both in the upper range already. Calcium looks good though.

One thing I've learned from this hobby is to not chase numbers. More people get into major issues when they are trying to get to a "Magic number".


- Ben -

[mrarturocampos]

Oh I see, I'll raise my alkalinity tomorrow. Now if I don't add anything my ph drops to 7.8 and alk to 9-10... do you consider those parameters still good?

[ramsey]

Oh I see, I'll raise my alkalinity tomorrow. Now if I don't add anything my ph drops to 7.8 and alk to 9-10... do you consider those parameters still good?

I wouldn't worry about your ph. I think 9-10dkh for alk is good it you're not carbon dosing. It you are, you probably want alk at about 7dkh. However, keeping alk stable is the key.

[mrarturocampos]

I don't dose carbon but I run carbon thru a reactor, is that what u mean?

[Zen Reef]

I think he means vodka dosing, biopellets, or other means of adding a carbon source to help elevate bacteria levels.

There are things to consider with your ph before making adjustments. First i would see what my ph is doing through the day. Start recording your ph before the lights come on (this should be the lowest your ph will get) and again right before your whites turn off for the day(this should be your highest). If the difference between the 2 numbers is below .2-.3 then you're fine. If there's a larger difference then it'll take more looking into. It's better to try to pinpoint the cause first rather then just using additives right off.

Do you run a fuge? If so, put the fuge on an opposite light cycle to the main tank. Is your flow breaking the water surface some for gas exchange? Is your tank in an open area of the home? Depleted oxygen levels in will also cause ph to drop. Opening a window helps.