Levels

timr · 03/12/2008, 10:46 AM

Ok, so for the first time in 14 years I decided to test the water and see where things stand. I have always taken the approach of keeping it simple but I'm now trying to really get things looking good and improve the growth rate in my tank. Here is what things tested at last night:

Calc - 380-400
Alk 7.5-8
PH 8.1
Phosphates - undetectable but not unexpected since I have some hair algea which is probably masking the number
Salinity - range of 1.23-1.25 depending on evaporation.

The tank is a 29 gallon in-wall system. I use RO/DI water, a CCS65 Skimmer and Hamilton 14K MH. The Hamilton bulb was just replaced in late December. It has been a little over a year since I replaced the RO filter, DI resin and carbon pre-filter.

I don't get a lot of growth out of anything but everything is looking pretty healthy. My Frogspawn took a hit about 1 year ago when the heater went nuts and the tank hit about 95 degrees. Since they the Frogspawn has never really expanded the same amount.

In the tank I have the following:
~40 lbs live rock
5 head Frogspawn
3 head Candy Cane
Neon Green Zoo's
Brown Zoo's
GSP - about a month old. Only a few polyp's have opened up and is receding. Not sure what the problem is.
Clove Polyp's. - took a hit from hair algae when I was traveling and is just now starting to grow again.
Mushrooms
Coral Banded Shrimp
1 red leg hermit
1 blue leg hermit
Tomato Clown

Temp is running about 80 degrees in the tank. Other than dripping kalk I don't add anything to the tank.

Suggestions??

techigirl78 · 03/12/2008, 10:51 AM

Did you test nitrates?

timr · 03/12/2008, 10:52 AM

Nitrates were below 5 ppm.

psteeleb · 03/12/2008, 11:01 AM

your test results look good on the surface. You may need to check how much your ph and temp swing in a 24 hour period.

Also, do you run carbon and keep it changed often? Untested for, airborn chemicals can significantly impact coral health and growth.

Bri Guy · 03/12/2008, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by timr
It has been a little over a year since I replaced the RO filter, DI resin

Id start here...

timr · 03/12/2008, 12:08 PM

I do run carbon from time to time. How often should the carbon be changed out. I will run it for a few days and then pull it out then put it back in later.

How long does DI Resin last?? I typically am replacing about 6 gallons of water per week in addition to making up a few gallons of drinking water.

techigirl78 · 03/12/2008, 01:42 PM

I'm not sure how many gallons I get from mine. Do you have a TDS meter? That is the easiest way to ensure your rodi water is testing out good.

IslandCrow · 03/12/2008, 01:59 PM

For your frogspawn and candycane, I'd say the slow growth rates are probably because your calcium and alkalinity are a bit on the low side. Nothing to be too concerned about, but you could start 2-part supplement to bring the levels up, and you'd probably see some better growth. Target feeding can also help if you're not doing that already. As for the soft corals, proper lighting is going to do them the most good. It sounds like your water parameters are pretty well under control.

03/12/2008, 10:46 AM	#1
timr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: West Chester, Ohio Posts: 57	Levels Ok, so for the first time in 14 years I decided to test the water and see where things stand. I have always taken the approach of keeping it simple but I'm now trying to really get things looking good and improve the growth rate in my tank. Here is what things tested at last night: Calc - 380-400 Alk 7.5-8 PH 8.1 Phosphates - undetectable but not unexpected since I have some hair algea which is probably masking the number Salinity - range of 1.23-1.25 depending on evaporation. The tank is a 29 gallon in-wall system. I use RO/DI water, a CCS65 Skimmer and Hamilton 14K MH. The Hamilton bulb was just replaced in late December. It has been a little over a year since I replaced the RO filter, DI resin and carbon pre-filter. I don't get a lot of growth out of anything but everything is looking pretty healthy. My Frogspawn took a hit about 1 year ago when the heater went nuts and the tank hit about 95 degrees. Since they the Frogspawn has never really expanded the same amount. In the tank I have the following: ~40 lbs live rock 5 head Frogspawn 3 head Candy Cane Neon Green Zoo's Brown Zoo's GSP - about a month old. Only a few polyp's have opened up and is receding. Not sure what the problem is. Clove Polyp's. - took a hit from hair algae when I was traveling and is just now starting to grow again. Mushrooms Coral Banded Shrimp 1 red leg hermit 1 blue leg hermit Tomato Clown Temp is running about 80 degrees in the tank. Other than dripping kalk I don't add anything to the tank. Suggestions??

03/12/2008, 01:59 PM	#8
IslandCrow Reef Monkey Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 5,759	For your frogspawn and candycane, I'd say the slow growth rates are probably because your calcium and alkalinity are a bit on the low side. Nothing to be too concerned about, but you could start 2-part supplement to bring the levels up, and you'd probably see some better growth. Target feeding can also help if you're not doing that already. As for the soft corals, proper lighting is going to do them the most good. It sounds like your water parameters are pretty well under control. __________________ All opinions in the above message should be taken with 35 ppt salt. -Mike C. Current Tank Info: I have a reef screen saver on my phone, does that count?

03/12/2008, 10:51 AM	#2
techigirl78 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 1,739	Did you test nitrates?

03/12/2008, 10:52 AM	#3
timr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: West Chester, Ohio Posts: 57	Nitrates were below 5 ppm.

03/12/2008, 11:01 AM	#4
psteeleb Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: DFW Texas Posts: 5,249	your test results look good on the surface. You may need to check how much your ph and temp swing in a 24 hour period. Also, do you run carbon and keep it changed often? Untested for, airborn chemicals can significantly impact coral health and growth.

03/12/2008, 12:08 PM	#6
timr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: West Chester, Ohio Posts: 57	I do run carbon from time to time. How often should the carbon be changed out. I will run it for a few days and then pull it out then put it back in later. How long does DI Resin last?? I typically am replacing about 6 gallons of water per week in addition to making up a few gallons of drinking water.

03/12/2008, 01:42 PM	#7
techigirl78 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 1,739	I'm not sure how many gallons I get from mine. Do you have a TDS meter? That is the easiest way to ensure your rodi water is testing out good.