What am I doing right?

[jd]

Hey guys. I don't test very often. Mostly because it scares the bajesus outta me. But I did a Cal/Alk test today for the first time in 3 months. 440mg/L Cal and 14dkh Alk (is that TOO high?) and my pH is abut 8.3. And, yes, Justin(Aq. Spc.) I read all the directions I don't dose anything other than some Kent Essential Elements every month or so and a few drops of Kent Iodine once a week. Granted I don't have alot of SPS or LSP, but I think I have enough to draw some cal and alk. Can my seldom water changes be keeping up with my need? I do 5 gal every 2-3wk in a 35gal system. Dear God help me, this new knowledge of (almost) correct parameters has terrified me.

[Joel]

I'd question the test results - the trend is for these elements to decrease (especially alk) There are very few naturally occurring situations that will raise your alk that high. (not impossible but highly unlikely & unusual) All the natural metabolic processes will drive your alk down, in theory, just your fish breathing can lower your alk.

Some questions;

What brand test kit did you use - did you check the expiration date?

What are the parameters of newly mixed water before you add it to your tank?

How old is the tank (approx)

Do you have oolitic / aragonite sand? If so how much, how thick and how old is it?

[jd]

What brand test kit did you use - did you check the expiration date?

API Reef Test kit, bought a few months ago. Don't know how to check the expiration date.

What are the parameters of newly mixed water before you add it to your tank?

I dunno   I'll mix up some tonight and test.

How old is the tank (approx)

1 1/2 years

Do you have oolitic / aragonite sand? If so how much, how thick and how old is it?

~3inches in a standard 29 gallon, bought new, same age as the tank.


Everything seems to be doing well. I have good polyp expansion and moderate growth. I feed Ocean Nutrition Formula One flake every other day, and frozen brine once a week.

Someone local mind testing a sample of my water?

[harleyrider]

Api the mfg date is above the label on each bottle check each bottle may be different if the bottles are low they are know sometimes to give false readings

[Reefd Up]

JD, you're always welcome to bring a sample over & I'll test it for you.  I'm probably the closest one.  We'll be home tomorrow after about 6pm.  Just call.

[Joel]

Yeah, I'd have the water tested with another brand test kit such as salifert and see what the results are. That's a good first step.

[jd]

Okay, Yikes. My testkits may be from 2006...

Nikki; could you PM me your number. I lost it. I'll bring a sample by tomorrow, thanks!

[cyberwollf]

Im curious of the results.  I use API also and they are getting close to the bottom of the bottle, Which is suppose to make them more prone to being off.

[jd]

I'll post results tomorrow. I might try to take the testkit back... Got it from a chain store, d'oh!

[jd]

Update: Just got back from Nikki and Will's (thanks again! Your stand is looking AWESOME!)

Nikki's Salifert Cal gave 360

         Salifert Alk gave 11.5 (I think, I forgot already, eleven point something)

         Electronic pH probe gave 8.6!

Came back, tested again with my test kits, making extra sure to shake each bottle and after every drop. Got the same results for Cal and Alk this time. The api pH test leaves alot to be desired, the scale is very hard to desern. I took the water over in a sealed dish for the 5 minute car ride, talked to Will about the stand/electric for 5 minutes, Nikki tested Alk and Cal, and finally the pH. Would this effect my pH? Which way? What can I do about this? See why I don't test!?

Should I be worried about my Cal and Alk values? I'll be the first to admit my knowledge of chemistry leaves much to be desired.  My Cal is a little low and my Alk a little high, right? Thanks everyone.

[Wall_Tank]

First, if the tank looks normal.  Do not over react. 

By the latter numbers, the calcium and alk are out of balance.   There are many ways to correct this, but do it slowly.....   Products I have used for this correction.   Part 2 of the ESV Bionic.   Kent Turbo Calcium

Take a look at this calculator   http://reef.diesyst.com/flashcalc/flashcalc.html    This will show you where your balance is, and also links to alot of articles on the subject.

What every you choose to do, test the parameters everyday while your adjusting.

[Wall_Tank]

On the PH subject. 

If you covered the water immediately after removing from the tank, and did not aireate the water.  It should give you a pretty good reading.  8.6 is a bit high.  PH problems are a bit more problematic, as you really need to figureout what is driving the PH up. 

If your tank looks good, I would try to understand everything by reading up on it before doing anything.  I think there are some links over in the links section for Randy Holmes-Farley......  Read up.

[jd]

Thanks for the insight Tom. What might be driving up pH up. I it usually about 8.0, but I haven't tested it in a while before yesterday and tonight. I've had the windows open lately, I know that effects it. Everything I have read has been on how to raise your pH.

[jd]

Read some papers on RC and looks like there are a few ways to lower it.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-03/rhf/index.php

I am going to try the safest way and simple add an airstone for a day and see how it reacts. Pump more CO2 laden interior air should help by driving it into the water. In the opposite way that using an external airstone helps raise pH

[lazylivin]

That will work if your windows are closed. If they are open it will make it worse.

[jd]

Thank Brian, I wasn't thinking about that for some reason, I'll close the window and door in my office tonight.

Another thing I just thought of, which is likely the answer to my problem. I added a K3 on Sunday what agitates the surface much more and I had my skimmer off for about 6 hours yesterday as well... Maybe my system just needs some time to balance out again.

[lazylivin]

Getting your calcium back up to 400 - 425 range will help out a bit as well.

[jd]

What will the addition of cal do to my alk?

[Wall_Tank]

Getting everything in balance is a good place to start.  Just keep and eye on ph, but don't worry too much about it until everything else is in balance.

My ph is always low, I run a Ca-Reactor, and my house is well sealed.   A CO2 heaven.

[jd]

Okay, used the calculator you linked me to, it says I need to add 400ml of cal. Obviously I can't do this all at once. Can I just add part 'A' of TLF C-Balance?

I'd also like you thank everyone who has helped me out so far!

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.

[lazylivin]

Okay, used the calculator you linked me to, it says I need to add 400ml of cal.

400ML seems like an awful lot. Can you recheck that?
You are wanting to go from 360 to 400? How much water do you have?

[jd]

~45 gallons

[lazylivin]

I ran the tool and it said 180ml to bring from 360 to 400. Or were you going to go higher?

[jd]

I said 450, but 400 works also. I'm just gonna slowly bring it up and see where my alk and pH go (down, hopefully)

[lazylivin]

Are you using Instant Ocean Salt?