Green Star Zoa's mat fading?

Looking through your stats... SpG of 1.022 is pretty low... I would personally say that 1.024 is as low as I'd recommend for corals over the long run. Are you measuring with a refractometer or hydrometer (swing arm or floating)?

What's the units on your KH... Is that ppm CaCO3? If so, 120 ppm is on the low side (under 7 dKH when converted -- just the unit I use more frequently -- where 7 dKH or 125 ppm is generally the recommended minimum). You could easily be as high as 200 ppm CaCO3 and still be within the recommended KH range. If you decide to raise the KH, it's something best done over time like most other water chemistry changes.
 
Ok thanks,

I knew that stat's would get me in trouble. :)

I use a swing arm Hydro, with a safe zone of 1.023 (high end), is that outdated?
I know it's an old school Hydro (Deep 6 by Coaral Life purch in 2003).

Now for the KH, I used a multi test strip (not very acc by API) and a drip test (Marineland). In my post. I gave the Multi test reading and will retest using Marineland tonite. Then I will post all of the different KH measurements.

I love my Zoa's and Polyps and I want them looking their best. So, I guess it's time to upgrade my testing equipment.

Thanks
 
Don't worry, you're not in trouble... No one's going to come knock on your door. :)

For a reef tank, 1.024 - 1.026 is a widely accepted range for SpG. I aim for the middle and keep my reef tanks at 1.025. It's not uncommon to see fish only tanks run at 1.021 - 1.024. You may want to find out how accurately your hydrometer is reading before adjusting your SpG. In fact, I would strongly recommend it. If it turns out that it is reading lower than actual, you could already be within the recommended SpG range. If you know someone with a refractometer that's been calibrated recently (or your LFS uses one), do a side by side comparison to see if your hydrometer is off and if it is, by how much. The swing arm hydrometers tend to be off a little (or in some cases more than just a little), but each individual one tends to be consistantly off by that same amount every time. If you can figure out what that amount is, you can adjust the values in your head accordingly. Being that it's 7 years old now, that 1.022 it's showing you might not be 1.022 anymore (if it ever was).

As for the test strips, I'm not really a fan of them, but I spent my share of time working in a lab, so the liquid kits are almost easier for me to use. The strips have a reputation for not being as accurate, but I've never done a comparison test to see how far off they can be, so I can't say how inaccurate they are. I suspect your liquid test kit might give you different results.
 
Thanks for being informative and gentle.

I did the Alk test and it's 3.5 mEq/l which becomes 175 CaCo3 (I believe).

My Ca reading today was 440 and my SG was between 1.22 and 1.23
Ph has been a steady 8.2 for a few weeks.

I will call a few shops in my area and see, if any smart business folks or staff are willing let me check my Hydro. It's a way to win over loyal customers and I like to test them out, since it's sometimes only, a hair's difference in price and distance.

I'll also price check a refractometer ($24 to $200+)and see, if I will do the right thing.
Got any names to watch out for (the good, the bad and mediocre).

I really don't have any enthusiasts near by, so I go it alone and enjoy, just me and my mates.

I will search, then post about whether Gluten free Ca, is better than Ca with Gluten in it. I read a good article, that was pro Gluten. Although I did buy, a Non Gluten Ca product 1st.

Thanks again

Hate the strips, but had to try them, way too general. Great for the No's and that's it.
Although, I do wonder about dumping those liquids tests, down the drain, too.

I use to place them in a plastic bottle, but what a witches brew of chemicals, that was (now where did that bottle go? hmmmm).
 
I use a milwaukee refractometer and check it every now and then but have never had it off. I hear people complain when they buy a cheap one that some are having to calibrate it every time they use it because it is so unreliable. I can't say brands that are bad as an example because I don't recall any being named, just that they were cheap.
 
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