New to the group and need advice please

V

val0921

Registered Member
Sep 29, 2006
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Hi all. My name is Leslie and I just set up my first reef tank last Saturday (11/18).

Tank equip: 75 gal Oceanic
20 gal AGA sump
G2 Prtein Skimmer
125 lbs of very well curred live rock
Coralife Deluxe Lunar Series 65w PC lights
Aquaclear power head
AWI Typhoon III RODI

My question is that my pH is running 8.6 and the alk is between 2.9-3.6 mEq, with virtually no ammonia, nitrate or nitrates. I added some Proper pH 8.2 twice with no change. (I later read hear that you shouldn't use that with reefs). There is no livestock.

What should I try to get the pH and Alk down? Thanks for your help.

Leslie
 
I'd just do a water change 8.5 is ok for a reef. You might also want to stess with a little just enough to detect and make sure that it's really cycled.
hth
and welcome to s.w.
Max
 
"I'd just do a water change 8.5 is ok for a reef. You might also want to stess with a little just enough to detect and make sure that it's really cycled."

Sorry, I'm not sure what you mean. I've been running my lights in a 5 or 6 hour cycle but should they go off? I hate to do that since quite a bit of the rock has coralline algae on it. I turned off my skimmer tonight. Was that the right thing to do?

Thanks again. The more you read, the less you know LOL.
 
Lights on is ok, some cycle without lights.
You could have left the skimmer on, but again, some recommend running it while cycling and others don't.

With a pH of 8.5 and alk < 4 meq, I'm not sure what you're concerned about. While the pH might be more ideal closer to 8.3, I wouldn't worry as it will likely fall on its own, especially if you stop adding the buffer. The same for alkalinity, but 2.5 - 4 meq is the range you're looking to hit.

When dosing your reef, make sure it's a product designed for use in a reef tank. There are products intended for marine tanks (fish only) and products for reef tanks.
 
Ok - I'll quit worrying so much until I get through the cycle and will be sure to get the correct products from now on. Thanks to all for your responses!

Leslie
 
The reason I usually cycle with lights out is to avoid noxious algae blooms. I'd just do a fairly large water change at the end of it to remove excess nutrients.
 
Leslie,
Do you have a R/O Water Unit in your house? If you dont I would recommend you purchase one, all you would need is a small 10gpd unit. This way you are offering your fish the best and cleanist water possible. In the end it will help keeping your parameters nice and balanced. And you can drink the water too! A nice 10gpd unit will run you about $100-$150 I believe.
 
Brenden said:
Leslie,
Do you have a R/O Water Unit in your house? If you dont I would recommend you purchase one, all you would need is a small 10gpd unit. This way you are offering your fish the best and cleanist water possible. In the end it will help keeping your parameters nice and balanced. And you can drink the water too! A nice 10gpd unit will run you about $100-$150 I believe.
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From original post: AWI Typhoon III RODI
 
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