Test Parameters Help

Reef4Dayz · 05/05/2014, 10:58 AM

Hi, I'm new to the hobby and have a 120 gallon tank with a do-it-myself sump that probably has another 30 gallons in there.
My question is this, I have 2 test kits, an API for testing phosphates and Nitrates and a Red Sea for testing calcium, alkalinity and Magnesium.
I have had the tank running for less than 6 months, 2 of which nothing but live rock and live sand were in there then I added some snails. Then a few fish and soft corals and the last month I've added sps.
I used the 2 test kits and came up with the following results, are they good or no?
Mag-1600
Kh- 3.3/9.2
Ca- 470
NO3 -0
PO4 - 0
saltwater is 1.027+/- 0.001
I also have an electric thermometer sensor about 2 - 4 inches from the top iside the tank that stays between 78 & 80 degrees.

Sugar Magnolia · 05/05/2014, 11:26 AM

Yes, those are all within range. Your salinity is a tad high though.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.htm

Reef4Dayz · 05/05/2014, 11:40 AM

Thank you, I thought my mag was a little too high but after reading that link I should be good.
I started using a 2 part dosing system, 1 is all and 2 is calcium and another bottle of mag. Since this is the first test I ever did for those chemicals I think my next step is that I DON NOT add anything today and test again tomorrow and see what the levels are?

thegrun · 05/05/2014, 01:18 PM

I would let both the magnesium and calcium levels come down a little. You get faster coral growth with calcium in the 440-460 range, better coral coloration in the 420-430 range. I keep my magnesium at 1350-1400.

Reef4Dayz · 05/05/2014, 02:42 PM

Will do. I'll run the tests tomorrow and see what exactly my system uses a day and post the results. By the look of these numbers I've been dosing too high. Plus I looked at the levels in the salt I used and its definitely the dosing.(Instant Ocean reef crystals)

Stolireef · 05/05/2014, 03:42 PM

First, is your livestock happy, healthy and growing. If so, I wouldn't try to chase numbers to perfection.

That said, as thegrun said, your numbers are a bit high but it's much easier to fix high than low. Just turn off your dosing for a few days. When the numbers get where you want them, slowing begin dosing again. Note that the numbers may not sync up (eg. you may see your alk drop a little faster than your Ca or vice versa). That's one good reason to dose since you can control each parameter (to a certain extent) separately.

disc1 · 05/05/2014, 05:28 PM

Those numbers are a tad high, but so is the salinity. If you pull the salinity down a little, all the rest of the numbers will fall just a little bit. It might be enough to put you where you need to be.

05/05/2014, 10:58 AM	#1
Reef4Dayz Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 3	Test Parameters Help Hi, I'm new to the hobby and have a 120 gallon tank with a do-it-myself sump that probably has another 30 gallons in there. My question is this, I have 2 test kits, an API for testing phosphates and Nitrates and a Red Sea for testing calcium, alkalinity and Magnesium. I have had the tank running for less than 6 months, 2 of which nothing but live rock and live sand were in there then I added some snails. Then a few fish and soft corals and the last month I've added sps. I used the 2 test kits and came up with the following results, are they good or no? Mag-1600 Kh- 3.3/9.2 Ca- 470 NO3 -0 PO4 - 0 saltwater is 1.027+/- 0.001 I also have an electric thermometer sensor about 2 - 4 inches from the top iside the tank that stays between 78 & 80 degrees. __________________ If your feet smell and your nose runs, you're built upside down!

05/05/2014, 11:26 AM	#2
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	Yes, those are all within range. Your salinity is a tad high though. http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.htm __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.

05/05/2014, 11:40 AM	#3
Reef4Dayz Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 3	Thank you, I thought my mag was a little too high but after reading that link I should be good. I started using a 2 part dosing system, 1 is all and 2 is calcium and another bottle of mag. Since this is the first test I ever did for those chemicals I think my next step is that I DON NOT add anything today and test again tomorrow and see what the levels are? __________________ If your feet smell and your nose runs, you're built upside down!

05/05/2014, 02:42 PM	#5
Reef4Dayz Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 3	Will do. I'll run the tests tomorrow and see what exactly my system uses a day and post the results. By the look of these numbers I've been dosing too high. Plus I looked at the levels in the salt I used and its definitely the dosing.(Instant Ocean reef crystals) __________________ If your feet smell and your nose runs, you're built upside down!

05/05/2014, 03:42 PM	#6
Stolireef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scottsdale AZ Posts: 3,180 Blog Entries: 5	First, is your livestock happy, healthy and growing. If so, I wouldn't try to chase numbers to perfection. That said, as thegrun said, your numbers are a bit high but it's much easier to fix high than low. Just turn off your dosing for a few days. When the numbers get where you want them, slowing begin dosing again. Note that the numbers may not sync up (eg. you may see your alk drop a little faster than your Ca or vice versa). That's one good reason to dose since you can control each parameter (to a certain extent) separately. __________________ I want to burn twice as bright and half as long. Oh, and a full tank crash is just an excuse for a new build. Current Tank Info: 125 Rimless Leemar, Apex, Trigger 30 Elite Sump, Vertex 180i Skimmer, 2 X Gen4 Radion XR30W, BM Doser, 2xMP40WES, 2xTunze 6095, Sicce Syncra 4.0.

05/05/2014, 01:18 PM	#4
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	I would let both the magnesium and calcium levels come down a little. You get faster coral growth with calcium in the 440-460 range, better coral coloration in the 420-430 range. I keep my magnesium at 1350-1400.

05/05/2014, 05:28 PM	#7
disc1 -RT * ln(k) Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Little Rock Posts: 9,705	Those numbers are a tad high, but so is the salinity. If you pull the salinity down a little, all the rest of the numbers will fall just a little bit. It might be enough to put you where you need to be. __________________ David Current Tank: Undergoing reconstruction...