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Author Topic: What am I doing right?  (Read 6306 times)

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Offline jd

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Re: What am I doing right?
« Reply #25 on: September 22, 2009, 00:32:53 »
Yes.
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Offline lazylivin

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Re: What am I doing right?
« Reply #26 on: September 22, 2009, 01:02:03 »
That is the source of your high alkalinity and low calcium levels. Consider purchasing a reef salt lower in Alkalinity and about 450 Calcium and mix half and half with the IO. This should give you proper levels. It is also likely that Magnesium is low. For now you are on the right track by raising your calcium over the next couple of days. No need to try and lower Alkalinity it should balance out on its own and PH will come down as soon as you close the windows.
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Offline lazylivin

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Re: What am I doing right?
« Reply #27 on: September 22, 2009, 01:07:31 »
Here is a chart that may help picking a salt to mix with the IO to get the best balance


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Offline lazylivin

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Re: What am I doing right?
« Reply #28 on: September 22, 2009, 01:08:53 »
I debating posting this cause did not want to start up the great salt debate again.  :laugh:

I use Tunze salt right out of the bag just because it is at the levels I keep me reef tank.
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Offline cyberwollf

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Re: What am I doing right?
« Reply #29 on: September 22, 2009, 07:21:20 »
Quote from: jd on September 21, 2009, 22:09:52
Wes, The test I did today with my API where spot on with Salifert's tests. Difference today was I shook the reagent bottles before use, not mentioned in the instructions for these tests, and I capped and shook after every drop on the Cal bottle #2 and every drop on the Alk.

something else I have read, if you haven't been shaking the bottles each time, you may have used more of the regent in the bottle solution and that can permently throw off the results as you approach the end of a bottle
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Offline harleyrider

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Re: What am I doing right?
« Reply #30 on: September 22, 2009, 07:22:58 »
Quote from: Lazylivin on September 22, 2009, 01:02:03
That is the source of your high alkalinity and low calcium levels. Consider purchasing a reef salt lower in Alkalinity and about 450 Calcium and mix half and half with the IO. This should give you proper levels. It is also likely that Magnesium is low. For now you are on the right track by raising your calcium over the next couple of days. No need to try and lower Alkalinity it should balance out on its own and PH will come down as soon as you close the windows.
Dont i wish, my cal stays at a constant cal of 420, and a steady 7 on alk and i dose with Pro buffer dkh, ph is a constant 8.4 go figure ;)
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Offline Joel

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Re: What am I doing right?
« Reply #31 on: September 22, 2009, 07:56:55 »
I know I had mentioned it earlier but; Have you tested brand new mixed up water yet?

I use I/O regularly and typically it's Alk is lower than the values shown on the graph that Brian posted and lower than the values in your tank. Certainly it is possible that your alk is that high because of the salt you are using but until you test, you are guessing.

I have spent a lot of time trying to fix something by doing water changes only to find out it was the new saltwater causing the problem. The thread about mixing up saltwater has some good information on this subject.

If your ALK is higher than you want it, I don't think trying to do something to the tank to lower it is the best or safest idea. First & foremost, determine where your getting this high value from, then start working on correcting it. For example, as Brian suggested, if your I/O has excessively high ALk when you mix it up, use another brand or get another bag that mixes closer to where you want it, then start doing water changes to adjust ti where you want it to be. (again in this process you need to test your brand new water to determine that is has the values you are wanting)

Did you (or Nikki) check your mag? It is typically low with I/O as well.

Bringing your ca up is simple but take it slow. You easily could bring it up in just a few minutes but I don't suggest it. Small daily doses until you've reached your goal is safer. It's always easier to add a little more than deal with it being to high and much less stressful on your tank inhabitants. Using the Calcium only part of C-balance is fine and should not cause any additional ALK or PH issues.  It is highly likley that your elevated PH is being caused by your higher alk level, they are not the same but Alk does influance your ph. I believe that slightly lowering your alk will also adjust your PH. Don't try to fix both at the same time. Just test daily to see where everything is and in time you will learn what, how much and how often you need to add trace elements to keep your tank where you want it.

Joel
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Offline jd

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Re: What am I doing right?
« Reply #32 on: September 22, 2009, 09:57:34 »
Lazy, Thanks for the chart. I'm not going to start any debate :) I've been using I/O mostly because I ran out of salt a while ago and someone gave me some to hold me over. Does your Tunze mix up to those values? Where do you get it from?

Joel, I will mix up some new water tonight and check it. Nikki checked my mag for me and got 1300 ppm. I am just going to add cal and see where that gets me.

Wes, I defiantly check your kits against someone else, gave me some piece of mind. (as long as I use the test correctly!)

I'm going to mix up new water after work, and check my pH again tonight, I closed the windows this morning, its supposed to rain.

Thanks again guys.
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Reefd Up

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Re: What am I doing right?
« Reply #33 on: September 22, 2009, 16:54:24 »
JD, your Mag was 1350...sheesh...get it straight!
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Offline jd

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Re: What am I doing right?
« Reply #34 on: September 22, 2009, 17:37:44 »
Nikki, to be honest I forgot all the numbers you said immediately after you told them to me.  :laugh: Mixing/testing right now.
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Reefd Up

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Re: What am I doing right?
« Reply #35 on: September 22, 2009, 19:43:06 »
Ca:  360
Alk:  11.5
Mag:  1350
pH:  8.6

According to Salifert's test kits and a handheld pH probe
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Offline jd

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Re: What am I doing right?
« Reply #36 on: September 22, 2009, 20:12:08 »
Quote from: Reef'd Up on September 22, 2009, 19:43:06
Ca:  360
Alk:  11.5
Mag:  1350
pH:  8.6

According to Salifert's test kits and a handheld pH probe

You've got a mind like a steal trap ;). Thanks again for testing for me, I really appreciate it! I even remembered most of the results!

Studying now, salt is mixing. Did another pH test but it was hard to decern... Anyone have the Salifert pH test? How do you like it? I might pick one up tonight.
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Offline jd

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Re: What am I doing right?
« Reply #37 on: September 22, 2009, 22:27:53 »
Time for SCIENCE!

Mixed up two gallons of salt water at 1.024. Mixed in a 5 gallon bucket for about 3 hours with a K1 powerhead.

pH: ~8.3 (Buying a new test kit from premium aquatics)

Cal: 440 mg/l

Alk 25 dKH TWENTYFIVE!

Didn't believe it, tested again, same result. Tested my tank and for 11, same a Nikki's test.

For good measure, tested my tank again, cal 360mg/L.  pH looks around 8.4, but the next scale is 8.8...

Looks like I need some new salt, stat!
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Offline jd

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Re: What am I doing right?
« Reply #38 on: September 22, 2009, 22:33:14 »
When I named this thread "What am I doing right?" I was being ironic, but I think that is biting me in the butt.  ;D
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Offline lazylivin

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Re: What am I doing right?
« Reply #39 on: September 22, 2009, 22:57:11 »
Quote from: jd on September 22, 2009, 22:27:53

Alk 25 dKH TWENTYFIVE!

You sure that was salt you were mixing?
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Offline jd

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Re: What am I doing right?
« Reply #40 on: September 22, 2009, 22:59:33 »
Quote from: Lazylivin on September 22, 2009, 22:57:11
You sure that was salt you were mixing?

That is what I though. I can see why my alk is high in my tank. I think this is a first time someone got lucky and DIDN'T do many water changes... Shame on me for not checking first. I think this might have something to do with me not having the whole bucket of salt. I usually mix the bucket but when I got some from my friend, I just took the top off...
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Offline cyberwollf

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Re: What am I doing right?
« Reply #41 on: September 22, 2009, 23:18:38 »
Disreguard that box of baking soda you accidently knocked in  ;)
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Offline jd

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Re: What am I doing right?
« Reply #42 on: September 22, 2009, 23:21:02 »
I knew I should'nt store my bulk baking soda in that extra IO bucket

May have found my problem, what should my ALK me from my faucet? Can I even test freshwater with my kit?
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Offline TechGuy

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Re: What am I doing right?
« Reply #43 on: September 22, 2009, 23:47:14 »
Quote from: jd on September 22, 2009, 23:21:02
I knew I should'nt store my bulk baking soda in that extra IO bucket

May have found my problem, what should my ALK me from my faucet? Can I even test freshwater with my kit?

Carbonate Hardness = Yes for API kits.
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Offline jd

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Re: What am I doing right?
« Reply #44 on: September 23, 2009, 12:25:33 »
Will RO/DI unit strip it of its alkalinity?
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Offline lazylivin

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Re: What am I doing right?
« Reply #45 on: September 23, 2009, 13:16:58 »
If working properly yes it will.
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