Water parameters

Grins

Grins

Girl Reefer...we do exist
May 1, 2007
10,449
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Charlotte, NC
OK, my parameters are not where they should be. Some are, some aren't. I thought some of the test kits might be bad so I replaced a few and came up with a closer balance but I'm still not happy. Unfortunately the LFS I was closest too was out of Salifert kits for the ones I needed so I had to make do with the API and Red Sea kits.

Numbers are all from API except where noted :
ammonia 0
nitrite 0
nitrate 0
phosphates 1 (found out my son hadn't rinsed the frozen lately..grr)
pH 8.4
dkh 5.75 (Red Sea)
calcium 340
magnesium 1200 (Red Sea)

SG 1.023 (I don't trust this number as accurate, I was borrowing a refractometer but returned it recently and eh you know how hydrometers can be. The LFS was also out of stock of refractometers so until I get a new one this was the best I could do. I typically test at 1.025 though on the refractometer)

I'm not experiencing any problems (yet) and I obviously don't have a heavily stocked tank as you have may have noticed in other threads. However I would like to be proactive rather than reactive with the tank. I'd also have plans to get more stonies and start stocking clams so the calcium especially is important to me.

I'm not currently dosing anything. Nada, zilch. I'm not opposed to buffers but at first I didn't need them because the calcium was well over 400. But now I'm starting to consider the possibiliities of dripping kalk or even a mini DIY reactor.

So for those that have successfully tackled reefs, what would you do with the numbers above?
 
When was the last time you did a water change and which salt are you using? Oh, and how much of a water change did you do?

A 2 part solution, such as the product provided by Two Little Fishies would work well, since you don't really have all that much coral yet and your tank isn't all that big.

:)

I think your numbers look fine...just looks like you need to do a water change, really. Maybe a few. Then, if necessary, supplement with a 2 part. Your Mg is good, so no issues there.
 
A few days ago, we do 10% every weekend.

Using 50/50 blend of IO and Oceanic. I'm considering switching back to IO and buffering the minerals...Oh and yes I was thinking a 2 part solution might be the way to go. It is the alk and ca that I want to raise up to reef levels.
 
Based on them water params above, i would simply suggest using a two part buffer really to bring the calc and alk back into line...Mag is only a shade lower than what i normally suggest of 1250...so, not really that bad, was expecting lower...Aim to get your alk to around 8 - 12dkh and the calc about 410 - 420...

Niko
 
That is the thing..I trying to figure out why those are down. The calcium used to be a healthy 420 and although I have stonies and snails they can't be using that much! Or can then? Sounds like a 2 part solution may be the way to go, a few local reefers are suggesting the same thing even though some of them have big reactors.

Do you have a recommendation on a good 2 part?
 
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