Clown Losing Color HELP!!! - Page 2

tenwhiteduke · 04/06/2007, 10:20 PM

OK Comes back at 18.2dkh I just did the test again.
The nitrate is at 0 too.

This is the first time this has happened.

Kent marine superbuffer-dkh is what the LFS gave me to raise my PH

Should I do a water change right now. I have RO/DI

tenwhiteduke · 04/06/2007, 10:20 PM

OK Comes back at 18.2dkh I just did the test again.
The nitrate is at 0 too.

This is the first time this has happened.

Kent marine superbuffer-dkh is what the LFS gave me to raise my PH

Should I do a water change right now. I have RO/DI

tenwhiteduke · 04/06/2007, 10:25 PM

The test has several equations parts per million was what I was using. DKH is degrees carbonate hardness, which is a different one. And now I see that this PH booster that the LFS gave me specifically says dKH on it, so yes its going to boost my Alk too.

Should I change out some water right now??

drummereef · 04/06/2007, 10:26 PM

Ok. It's obviously way high right now. The safest method is to stop dosing and let the alk fall on its own. Honesltly, I would stop using it all together. There is no need to adjust pH from buffers like superbuffer. Safe range for pH is 7.8-8.5, so don't worry too much about that. There will be a drop in pH during the night and it will again rise during the day when the lights go on. Open the windows and let some fresh air in to help with that.

The more pertenant issue is with alkalinty and calcium. Please read the articles I've linked. The are from the Chemistry Forum's old moderator Randy Holmes-Farley. I use a 2-part suppliment to keep my alk/calciums levels solid and in balance. There are commercial products available but Randy's is easy to make and is cheap.

tenwhiteduke · 04/06/2007, 10:28 PM

This test didnt come with a calcium test in it. I only dosed it once and that was yesturday. I used it once before but that was weeks ago. Trust me Im not doing it again.

drummereef · 04/06/2007, 10:30 PM

LOL! Yeah, I know the feeling. Do you notice a change in the clown's color only at night?

tenwhiteduke · 04/06/2007, 10:37 PM

Yes just this evening. Tonight Only. Not earlier today at all.

drummereef · 04/06/2007, 10:39 PM

Well, after the lights go out most fish lose their color. This is totally normal. They do have to sleep you know.

This could be the deal all along. But, seriously I would investigate a better way of keeping your alk/ca under control. Any extra stress on the animals and you'll see disease.

tenwhiteduke · 04/06/2007, 10:40 PM

OK I just changed out some water with SW I had left over and some RO/DI hopefully that will help on the Alk. I checked the Alk in my SW and it was at 9.8 So hopefully it will help. I will get some more SW tomorrow morning at the LFS and do another tomorrow I guess. I need to raise my Salinity too. I keep adding SW but stays at 1.022 all the time.

drummereef · 04/06/2007, 10:42 PM

Ok, good deal on the alk. Water changes always are a good thing. That's wierd about the salinity though. Are you topping off evaporation with saltwater to raise it? I keep my reef at 1.026 measured with a refractometer.

tenwhiteduke · 04/06/2007, 10:43 PM

Thanks so much for your help Drummereef. I specifically gave the LFS my params one day, and he said 7.8 was kind of low for PH, and my Alk was written just above it. He told me to use kent marine to boost my PH. He never mentioned anthing with the Alk going up too. I trusted them! I am a Newbie, ****en sucks sometimes.

tenwhiteduke · 04/06/2007, 10:45 PM

I am using a hydrometer at the moment. Need to get me a refractometer. Will do that tomorrow too!!

drummereef · 04/06/2007, 10:46 PM

Yeah, well now you know better right?

I don't have high regards for most LFS. They'll try to sell you a bucket of dirt if you'd take it.

drummereef · 04/06/2007, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tenwhiteduke
I am using a hydrometer at the moment. Need to get me a refractometer. Will do that tomorrow too!!

A refractometer is highly recommended. You can get a good one online for less than $60. www.premiumaquatics.com has nice ones.

Also, while you are buying stuff.... I'd pick up some Salifert test kits. At least for alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, nitrate, and phosphate. If you want to add a pH test it isn't going to hurt. A pH monitor is a better investment though.

tenwhiteduke · 04/06/2007, 10:50 PM

Refractometer on my list. Will get one tomorrow locally. I will also get more SW to try to continue to raise my salinity.

As for fish losing color at night, I have not noticed that ever until tonight. I watch them always.

tenwhiteduke · 04/06/2007, 10:51 PM

I truly wish to say thanks again. I couldnt believe no one on the Clowns forum would reply to my message, and still there isnt one after 19 peeps have looked at it.

drummereef · 04/06/2007, 10:55 PM

Hey, no problem. Some of the sub-forums like that don't get much action. Better to post here. I know I said it before, but getting to know the basics about water chemistry will do great things for your tank. It wasn't until I got a handle on mine that I found success in this hobby. All of those articles can be found in this thread (sticky) in the Chemistry Forum. It's the holy grail of reef chemistry. And where I spend most of my time.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=102605

04/06/2007, 10:26 PM	#29
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	Ok. It's obviously way high right now. The safest method is to stop dosing and let the alk fall on its own. Honesltly, I would stop using it all together. There is no need to adjust pH from buffers like superbuffer. Safe range for pH is 7.8-8.5, so don't worry too much about that. There will be a drop in pH during the night and it will again rise during the day when the lights go on. Open the windows and let some fresh air in to help with that. The more pertenant issue is with alkalinty and calcium. Please read the articles I've linked. The are from the Chemistry Forum's old moderator Randy Holmes-Farley. I use a 2-part suppliment to keep my alk/calciums levels solid and in balance. There are commercial products available but Randy's is easy to make and is cheap. __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

04/06/2007, 10:30 PM	#31
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	LOL! Yeah, I know the feeling. Do you notice a change in the clown's color only at night? __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

04/06/2007, 10:39 PM	#33
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	Well, after the lights go out most fish lose their color. This is totally normal. They do have to sleep you know. This could be the deal all along. But, seriously I would investigate a better way of keeping your alk/ca under control. Any extra stress on the animals and you'll see disease. __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

04/06/2007, 10:42 PM	#35
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	Ok, good deal on the alk. Water changes always are a good thing. That's wierd about the salinity though. Are you topping off evaporation with saltwater to raise it? I keep my reef at 1.026 measured with a refractometer. __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

04/06/2007, 10:46 PM	#38
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	Yeah, well now you know better right? I don't have high regards for most LFS. They'll try to sell you a bucket of dirt if you'd take it. __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

04/06/2007, 10:20 PM	#26
tenwhiteduke Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Clearwater, Fl Posts: 318	OK Comes back at 18.2dkh I just did the test again. The nitrate is at 0 too. This is the first time this has happened. Kent marine superbuffer-dkh is what the LFS gave me to raise my PH Should I do a water change right now. I have RO/DI

04/06/2007, 10:25 PM	#28
tenwhiteduke Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Clearwater, Fl Posts: 318	The test has several equations parts per million was what I was using. DKH is degrees carbonate hardness, which is a different one. And now I see that this PH booster that the LFS gave me specifically says dKH on it, so yes its going to boost my Alk too. Should I change out some water right now??

04/06/2007, 10:28 PM	#30
tenwhiteduke Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Clearwater, Fl Posts: 318	This test didnt come with a calcium test in it. I only dosed it once and that was yesturday. I used it once before but that was weeks ago. Trust me Im not doing it again.

04/06/2007, 10:37 PM	#32
tenwhiteduke Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Clearwater, Fl Posts: 318	Yes just this evening. Tonight Only. Not earlier today at all.

04/06/2007, 10:40 PM	#34
tenwhiteduke Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Clearwater, Fl Posts: 318	OK I just changed out some water with SW I had left over and some RO/DI hopefully that will help on the Alk. I checked the Alk in my SW and it was at 9.8 So hopefully it will help. I will get some more SW tomorrow morning at the LFS and do another tomorrow I guess. I need to raise my Salinity too. I keep adding SW but stays at 1.022 all the time.

04/06/2007, 10:43 PM	#36
tenwhiteduke Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Clearwater, Fl Posts: 318	Thanks so much for your help Drummereef. I specifically gave the LFS my params one day, and he said 7.8 was kind of low for PH, and my Alk was written just above it. He told me to use kent marine to boost my PH. He never mentioned anthing with the Alk going up too. I trusted them! I am a Newbie, ****en sucks sometimes.

04/06/2007, 10:45 PM	#37
tenwhiteduke Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Clearwater, Fl Posts: 318	I am using a hydrometer at the moment. Need to get me a refractometer. Will do that tomorrow too!!

04/06/2007, 10:50 PM	#40
tenwhiteduke Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Clearwater, Fl Posts: 318	Refractometer on my list. Will get one tomorrow locally. I will also get more SW to try to continue to raise my salinity. As for fish losing color at night, I have not noticed that ever until tonight. I watch them always.

04/06/2007, 10:51 PM	#41
tenwhiteduke Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Clearwater, Fl Posts: 318	I truly wish to say thanks again. I couldnt believe no one on the Clowns forum would reply to my message, and still there isnt one after 19 peeps have looked at it.

04/06/2007, 10:55 PM	#42
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	Hey, no problem. Some of the sub-forums like that don't get much action. Better to post here. I know I said it before, but getting to know the basics about water chemistry will do great things for your tank. It wasn't until I got a handle on mine that I found success in this hobby. All of those articles can be found in this thread (sticky) in the Chemistry Forum. It's the holy grail of reef chemistry. And where I spend most of my time. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=102605 __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system