feedback on my water parameters

kelrn98 · 11/25/2006, 09:15 AM

my 110g up and running since 10/18/06, 160# LR and cleanup crew, sump with cheato. my 20g QT with 2 green/blue chromis, filter media from main tank. Fish are doing well. No deaths of cleanup crew as far as I can tell. Concerned about total ammonia, is it toxic or just in form of free ammonia, and if so, is total ammonia toxic at just 0.1ppm? What about the 0.1ppm nitrite in QT?

free ammonia: 0 QT, 0 MT (main tank)
total ammonia: 0.1ppm QT, 0.1ppm MT
nitrite: 0.1ppm QT, 0 MT
nitrate: 0 QT, 0.2ppm MT
ph: 8.4 QT, 8.3 MT
Ca: 400 MT (did not check in QT)
Phos: 0.1 both tanks (ordered new kit to test lower, this is lowest reading on kit I have)
specific gravity: 1.025 both tanks
temp 78.8 MT, 80 QT
alk 5meq/L in MT (did not check in QT)

Shagsbeard · 11/25/2006, 09:26 AM

Looks almost ideal. Dunno how you are testing nitrate to .2 ppm, but if you say so... you must be spending a bundle on tests. Your system that you list is near optimal, by today's standards. Your ammonia will take care of itself over time, or you could run activated carbon to remove it. Just stick a bag of it in a high flow area (like in a filter sock on the end of your drain, or between baffles in your sump.) Carbon is an age old method of removing organics.

What tests are you using for your results? That can make a world of difference in "trust" in your readings.

Now would be a great time to start quarentine on your smallest, most peaceful fish on your stock list. You want to start with the weakest fish so they have time to get used to the tank and set up shop so to speak. Leave them in quarentine for at least a month... more if they show signs of disease.

drummereef · 11/25/2006, 10:29 AM

Looks doggone good. The alk is on the high side, but it's not dangerously high. Most keep it around 3-4meq or 8-11dkh. Keep up the good work!

WaterKeeper · 11/25/2006, 01:22 PM

Hi Kel,

As they say it looks good. Free (ionized ammonia NH₃) is much more toxic than the unionized form, NH₄. It is quite normal to see trace levels of the latter in any tank as, although fast, the conversion of ammonia to nitrite/nitrate is not instantaneous.

kelrn98 · 11/25/2006, 05:19 PM

Thanks for the info. And yes, I have spent too much on test kits. I purchased quite a few without researching, then had to purchase better brands. Glad my tank is doing well. Can't wait to start stocking it. Yes, I know, slowly, patience!!

drummereef · 11/25/2006, 05:36 PM

Got any pics of the tank? With those levels it should be looking good!

kelrn98 · 11/25/2006, 05:52 PM

Will post some as soon as I get my new camera. It is looking pretty good aside from the remainder of a cyano breakout!! Clean up crew working hard everyday! I am trying to be patient with the QT. I want so badly to place my fish in the tank, and it has only been 2 wks so far!

hanas · 11/25/2006, 06:47 PM

I agree with everyone, the levels all look great.

Keep up the QT process and it's good you're being patient. The hobby is a lot easier that way!!

11/25/2006, 09:15 AM	#1
kelrn98 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Biloxi, MS Posts: 856	feedback on my water parameters my 110g up and running since 10/18/06, 160# LR and cleanup crew, sump with cheato. my 20g QT with 2 green/blue chromis, filter media from main tank. Fish are doing well. No deaths of cleanup crew as far as I can tell. Concerned about total ammonia, is it toxic or just in form of free ammonia, and if so, is total ammonia toxic at just 0.1ppm? What about the 0.1ppm nitrite in QT? free ammonia: 0 QT, 0 MT (main tank) total ammonia: 0.1ppm QT, 0.1ppm MT nitrite: 0.1ppm QT, 0 MT nitrate: 0 QT, 0.2ppm MT ph: 8.4 QT, 8.3 MT Ca: 400 MT (did not check in QT) Phos: 0.1 both tanks (ordered new kit to test lower, this is lowest reading on kit I have) specific gravity: 1.025 both tanks temp 78.8 MT, 80 QT alk 5meq/L in MT (did not check in QT) __________________ ~Kelly~ Current Tank Info: 96x24x30 -300g mixed reef: 75g sump, 35g fuge, 2x MP60, 4x Radion Pros, reef octopus X5000 skimmer, way too much LR and a few fish

11/25/2006, 10:29 AM	#3
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	Looks doggone good. The alk is on the high side, but it's not dangerously high. Most keep it around 3-4meq or 8-11dkh. Keep up the good work! __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

11/25/2006, 01:22 PM	#4
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	Hi Kel, As they say it looks good. Free (ionized ammonia NH₃) is much more toxic than the unionized form, NH₄. It is quite normal to see trace levels of the latter in any tank as, although fast, the conversion of ammonia to nitrite/nitrate is not instantaneous. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

11/25/2006, 05:19 PM	#5
kelrn98 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Biloxi, MS Posts: 856	Thanks for the info. And yes, I have spent too much on test kits. I purchased quite a few without researching, then had to purchase better brands. Glad my tank is doing well. Can't wait to start stocking it. Yes, I know, slowly, patience!! __________________ ~Kelly~ Current Tank Info: 96x24x30 -300g mixed reef: 75g sump, 35g fuge, 2x MP60, 4x Radion Pros, reef octopus X5000 skimmer, way too much LR and a few fish

11/25/2006, 05:36 PM	#6
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	Got any pics of the tank? With those levels it should be looking good! __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

11/25/2006, 09:26 AM	#2
Shagsbeard Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Morro Bay, CA Posts: 2,143	Looks almost ideal. Dunno how you are testing nitrate to .2 ppm, but if you say so... you must be spending a bundle on tests. Your system that you list is near optimal, by today's standards. Your ammonia will take care of itself over time, or you could run activated carbon to remove it. Just stick a bag of it in a high flow area (like in a filter sock on the end of your drain, or between baffles in your sump.) Carbon is an age old method of removing organics. What tests are you using for your results? That can make a world of difference in "trust" in your readings. Now would be a great time to start quarentine on your smallest, most peaceful fish on your stock list. You want to start with the weakest fish so they have time to get used to the tank and set up shop so to speak. Leave them in quarentine for at least a month... more if they show signs of disease.

11/25/2006, 05:52 PM	#7
kelrn98 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Biloxi, MS Posts: 856	Will post some as soon as I get my new camera. It is looking pretty good aside from the remainder of a cyano breakout!! Clean up crew working hard everyday! I am trying to be patient with the QT. I want so badly to place my fish in the tank, and it has only been 2 wks so far! __________________ ~Kelly~ Current Tank Info: 96x24x30 -300g mixed reef: 75g sump, 35g fuge, 2x MP60, 4x Radion Pros, reef octopus X5000 skimmer, way too much LR and a few fish

11/25/2006, 06:47 PM	#8
hanas Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Fairfield, CT Posts: 795	I agree with everyone, the levels all look great. Keep up the QT process and it's good you're being patient. The hobby is a lot easier that way!!