Water Readings!

[phastroh]

Ok so I finally found out that I can just go to Coral Corral and get all the Salifert Test kits I need and not have to wait for backorder junk.

I also found out they sell the 200Gal Reef Salt for $50 and I do not have to order that either like I was. It is $70 for a 160Gal Mix at the LFS so I get the extra 40Gal of mix for $20 less and ordering it online was about $53 on average for the bucket.

No wait no hassle, just cut the bag and refill the bucket. Tip from the owner.

So I tested all the water with the Salifert Tests.

I still use the API for Ammonia and Nitrite and Nitrates at times but I snagged a Nitrate, PH, Alk, and Calcium and already had a Magnesium from Salifert.

So here they are.

Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 10
PH - 8.0
Alk - 9.1DKH
Mag - 1245 - Already got my mix ready to bump it up to 1400
Calcium - 400

All that with crushed coral heehee.

 

[Reef Nutz]

Good stuff right there. But, whats your phosphate level?

 

[phastroh]

0 but ill double check tomorrow

 

[Reef Nutz]

2 thumbs up. You got it rockin.:bowdown:

 

[phastroh]

I mostly just do 20% a week and add my epsom salt mix when needed for mag. Oh and like 2 times a month I toss purple up in just one dose if any.

I think the Dr. Time waste-away is helpful and is just natural bacteria.

Still lookin for a 180gal but I know someone who may be able to get me wholesale costs on acrylic sheets so if it is cheap enough who knows.

 

[Jmck]

That sounds great, good job on keeping a stable tank :) you should only bring your mag up to 1350 though, it doesnt need to be higher than that.

 

[fastrd400]

Good stuff right there. But, whats your phosphate level?

0 but ill double check tomorrow

It will test out at 0 99.99% of the time, so you may still have some, it is just being consumed by any algae to give you a 0 reading.

And +1 on the Mag level. You really don't need it any higher than 1350. Boost your calcium up to about 420-460 as well. :Cheers:

 

[phastroh]

Ok so 0 on the phosphates and my calcium is the 400 so I just dosed some purple up for now.

I did a 20% since I checked it the other day so I added t anyway. It can't hurt so what the hey.

I don't ever do anything for calcium but that once in a blue moon. I want to get something good for the calcium but haven't decided what yet but it is almost always 400-420 with nothing.

 

[Reef Nutz]

Your purple up doses calcium.

 

[Bifferwine]

If it's 400 to 420, then it's perfectly fine. No need to dose. Don't waste your money dosing for things that your tank doesn't need. :)

 

[Jmck]

I keep my calcium anywhere above 400 and my alkalinity is maintaining a reading above 9, and mag I dont want higher than 1350, if you keep it at that level and have 0 bad stuff in the tank, you can really have some crazy sps growth :D

 

[Sir Alex]

Do nitrates have to be at zero for sps?

 

[Bifferwine]

No, they don't have to be. But SPS do much better in low-nutrients systems with 0 nitrates. Some SPS are more sensitive than others, and with some corals although they may survive, you may see browning out, or a lack of growth if you have nitrates.

 

[Jmck]

+1 biff, they however hate phosphates. So they have to be extremely low for SPS

 

[phastroh]

A lot of people use purple up but I only use it rarely not the daily it says to. I only use it if the calcium dips under 400 and it goes up just a hair it seems. It doesn't have junk in it from what it says but you would have to.read up on it to see what calcium is in it.

 

[Jmck]

You shouldnt need to dose calcium unless you have quite a bit of sps or clams. Water changes will replenish your calcium.

I have just started dosing because my tank is becoming sps heavy.

 

[phastroh]

While that should be true I find it under 400 occasionally and I have only LPS. Can't explain.

 

[Jmck]

Do you do a water change every week? and under 400 is fine as long as it isnt much under. Not a big deal.

 

[phastroh]

20% a week but I was going to start 20% every 2 weeks or 10% a week but now I will be getting a 180gal so ill see what happens then.

 

[Reef Nutz]

25% every 2 weeks in fine. LPS like dirty water. SPS are the super clean water freaks.