Water Parameters

murph213 · 12/20/2007, 12:54 PM

Hi Everyone ! I been having trouble with my water quality. My
ammonia usally runs 0.25 , nitrites 0 , Nitrates 10-20 alk normal,
Ph 8.4. I don't have test kits to test other pramiters. Oh sp is at 1.023. Temp 75. I just found out I should be doing 10 percent
weekly water changes , and I must admit to over feeding. Will water changes correct this problems?

Thanks,
Murph

DavidA717 · 12/20/2007, 12:56 PM

you need to get that ammonia down, salinity should be around 1.025-1.026, temp sould be roughly 77-80.

Water changed will help correct this problem, but you still shouldnt feed too much, how much are you feeding? and how new is your tank?

dileggi · 12/20/2007, 12:57 PM

The water changes will help, depending on what type of water you use. I normally add AmQel to my tank once a week to make sure the Amonia, N02 & N03 stay at 0.

papagimp · 12/20/2007, 12:57 PM

not over feeding would help, doing proper water changes as well.

But the question i have is why do you have ammonia in the tank. Either too large of a bioload for the filtering capacity in the tank (which I'd imagine would result in some nitrites as well showing up) what livestock do you have? What type of test kit do you have for ammonia? Can you get a second opinion on that test result? Alot of tests are inaccurate and show small amounts like that when none are actually present.

murph213 · 12/20/2007, 01:18 PM

I am using res sea test kit. I have an emporer 400 bio-wheel.
A pro clear 75 protien skimmer. 75 lbs lr ( I know I should have more) . live stock is 4 damsels , 2 false percula clowns, 1 foxface which I should have researched first do to how large they grow.
countless crabs ( red leg ,some I don't know what their called),and 20 -25 snails. This is a 55 gallon tank. 5 zoos and 1 purple mushroom under 96w pc lighting. I don't have room for a sump or fuge because I live in a condo and room is limited.
thanks all!
Murph

papagimp · 12/20/2007, 02:01 PM

get rid of the biowheels (the actual unit you can keep for added surface movement and/or chemical/mechanical filtration, just remove the wheels) that should assist a little with the nitrates, as long as you are performing proper water changes in addition.

Maybe take a water sample to the lfs to have them test for ammonia, (I'd make sure they had a different test kit being used) or just get another test. Salifert would be good. I personally use API brand from petsmart and it's not uncommon for my reading to show .25ppm ammonia every once in awhile, it's my test, not the water in this instance.

fwiw, if you can squeeze a 10g under the stand, that would suffice for a sump/fuge and most 55g stands have at least that much room under them. Naturally it'll depend on the design though.

NirvanaFan · 12/20/2007, 02:36 PM

that 75 pounds of lr is probably enough as long as it is porous

I'd get a second opinion on the ammonia test and try not to overfeed.

12/20/2007, 12:54 PM	#1
murph213 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: wilmington Posts: 82	Water Parameters Hi Everyone ! I been having trouble with my water quality. My ammonia usally runs 0.25 , nitrites 0 , Nitrates 10-20 alk normal, Ph 8.4. I don't have test kits to test other pramiters. Oh sp is at 1.023. Temp 75. I just found out I should be doing 10 percent weekly water changes , and I must admit to over feeding. Will water changes correct this problems? Thanks, Murph

12/20/2007, 12:56 PM	#2
DavidA717 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 47	you need to get that ammonia down, salinity should be around 1.025-1.026, temp sould be roughly 77-80. Water changed will help correct this problem, but you still shouldnt feed too much, how much are you feeding? and how new is your tank? __________________ - Dave Current Tank Info: 30 gallon reef

12/20/2007, 12:57 PM	#3
dileggi Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: S. Philly PA Posts: 1,171	The water changes will help, depending on what type of water you use. I normally add AmQel to my tank once a week to make sure the Amonia, N02 & N03 stay at 0. __________________ Eric "The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled, was convincing the world he didn't exist." - Usual Suspects Current Tank Info: 90g w/30g sump; skimmer; 2x175w MH & 2x super white actinic...3g w/.5g fuge 1x150w MH Viper

12/20/2007, 12:57 PM	#4
papagimp COMAS Rocks! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 8,185 Blog Entries: 2	not over feeding would help, doing proper water changes as well. But the question i have is why do you have ammonia in the tank. Either too large of a bioload for the filtering capacity in the tank (which I'd imagine would result in some nitrites as well showing up) what livestock do you have? What type of test kit do you have for ammonia? Can you get a second opinion on that test result? Alot of tests are inaccurate and show small amounts like that when none are actually present. __________________ 58g Softie & 75g Stoney Member, Central Oklahoma Marine Aquarium Society Current Tank Info: 58g Mixed Reef Project - Started June 2011

12/20/2007, 02:01 PM	#6
papagimp COMAS Rocks! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 8,185 Blog Entries: 2	get rid of the biowheels (the actual unit you can keep for added surface movement and/or chemical/mechanical filtration, just remove the wheels) that should assist a little with the nitrates, as long as you are performing proper water changes in addition. Maybe take a water sample to the lfs to have them test for ammonia, (I'd make sure they had a different test kit being used) or just get another test. Salifert would be good. I personally use API brand from petsmart and it's not uncommon for my reading to show .25ppm ammonia every once in awhile, it's my test, not the water in this instance. fwiw, if you can squeeze a 10g under the stand, that would suffice for a sump/fuge and most 55g stands have at least that much room under them. Naturally it'll depend on the design though. __________________ 58g Softie & 75g Stoney Member, Central Oklahoma Marine Aquarium Society Current Tank Info: 58g Mixed Reef Project - Started June 2011

12/20/2007, 01:18 PM	#5
murph213 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: wilmington Posts: 82	I am using res sea test kit. I have an emporer 400 bio-wheel. A pro clear 75 protien skimmer. 75 lbs lr ( I know I should have more) . live stock is 4 damsels , 2 false percula clowns, 1 foxface which I should have researched first do to how large they grow. countless crabs ( red leg ,some I don't know what their called),and 20 -25 snails. This is a 55 gallon tank. 5 zoos and 1 purple mushroom under 96w pc lighting. I don't have room for a sump or fuge because I live in a condo and room is limited. thanks all! Murph

12/20/2007, 02:36 PM	#7
NirvanaFan Reef Ninja Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 4,280	that 75 pounds of lr is probably enough as long as it is porous I'd get a second opinion on the ammonia test and try not to overfeed.