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Help me understand my parameters and advice

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by sblomgren, Jun 26, 2011.

  1. Jun 26, 2011 #1
    sblomgren

    sblomgren Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    So I must admit I haven't done a good job of regular testing so I am trying to do more and learn what I am doing.  Please help me interpret where I am and give me some advice on what to do. 
    I'm using an API Reef Master Test Kit
    Calcium 500mg/l
    KH 5 dkh - this one has me concerned because I don't know what it means or what needs adjusting but I think that's low
    Phospate between 0-5PPM
    Nitrate .25ppm
    PH 8.06 (apex probe reading)
    Temp 79-81 degrees
    Salinity 1.026
    Let me know your thoughts please
     
  2. Jun 26, 2011 #2
    JB Marion

    JB Veteran Reefkeeper

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    Marion
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    5dkH is way low.   Generally you want your calcium to be at about 420ppm and your dkH to be at 9.   When they are in balance like that, it's easier for inverts to make use of them.  And don't forget about Magnesium.  You want to test for that as well.
    I would recommend using the reef chemistry calculator here:
    http://reef.diesyst.com/flashcalc/flashcalc.html
    It's a great tool for understanding where your parameters need to be and how to get them there.
     
  3. Jun 26, 2011 #3
    sblomgren

    sblomgren Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    How do I lower my calcium and raise my DKH? I know partial water changes will bring it up but should I be running a buffer or something?
     
  4. Jun 26, 2011 #4
    sblomgren

    sblomgren Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    Also, I dont have a mag test. I need to get one
     
  5. Jun 26, 2011 #5
    mthomp

    mthomp Inactive User

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    your cal is not awfully high . i would just leave it alone and it will come down as it gets used. its your alk that concerns me most it is very low.

    there are a couple things you can do to help gets these things stabilized. First thing is you can add some reef builders to your top off water. this will help raise your alk and cal. or you can like I do and add a kalk stirrer to your ATO the one from 2littlefishes is less then 100 bucks and works well. this will def help keep your cal and alk stable. I know many folks will use dosing pumps along with a 2 part solution. this is a great way and is fairly inexpensive.

    there are a lot of great videos on bulkreefsupply.com they are easy to understand and very informative.
     
  6. Jun 26, 2011 #6
    blackx-runner Cedar Rapids, IA

    blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

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    Cedar Rapids, IA
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    Don't quote me because I am a still learning. But I believe if you start to raise your alk (dKH) your calcium should start to balance out. As far as how to raise dKH I use Kent marine Pro Buffer dKH. I am sure there are other products that would work as well.
    Your Nitrates are also pretty high. How often are you doing water changes? I would say to do a fairly large water change and then keep up with a water change schedule. I do about 20% every 2 weeks and that works well for me. Others prefer to do smaller weekly changes. You just need to find a routine that works well for you and your tank
     
  7. Jun 26, 2011 #7
    sblomgren

    sblomgren Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    OK, I am going to get BRS 2 part. That seems the best option to me. I will also start testing mag so I get everything in order!
     
  8. Jun 26, 2011 #8
    mthomp

    mthomp Inactive User

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    keep in mind that you will need to test your water and get a good idea how much alk and cal you use daily in order to dose correctly.
     
  9. Jun 27, 2011 #9
    Bud West Des Moines, IA

    Bud Loves Bacon Website Team Board of Directors Leadership Team GIRS Member Vendor

    8,884
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    BRS 2 (or 3, really) part is what I use, I like it. Easy instructions, just make sure you test the alk before you dose then 30 minutes after, and have your pH meter going when you dose so you can make sure you don't throw the pH more than 0.2. I have it down, for the system I run (120 with 90g of water) 1.1 fl oz is the max dose I can do in one shot. If you need help with that I made an excel spreadsheet that you can put in your system water gallons and it will tell you exactly how much you need to dose to raise levels. I extrapolated the BRS calculator. Is there any way to post that here?
     
  10. Jun 28, 2011 #10
    PotRoast

    PotRoast Well-Known ReefKeeper

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  11. Jun 28, 2011 #11
    PotRoast

    PotRoast Well-Known ReefKeeper

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  12. Jun 29, 2011 #12
    sblomgren

    sblomgren Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    PotRoast, thanks for the heads up.
     

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