Finally got some decent test kits

SidCat · 05/28/2009, 09:27 PM

I have been wondering recently if my test kits may have expired or just weren't very good, so I got some new ones.

This evening my water tested:

Ammonia 0
PH 8.4
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 5
Phosphate 1
Calcium 380
KH 10dKH
SG 1.027
Temp 78

The SG is high as I am due for a top up. I have to RO water on now and will add it soon.

Other than the phosphate, does my water look ok? I am running a 55 FOWLR with an AquaC Remora Pro. I also have 2 powerheads and a BioWheel that I only run carbon/floss in. The wheels are not on.

Now that I have decent test kits, I will work on lowering my phosphate with the suggestions I was given in another thread.

Aquarist007 · 05/28/2009, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SidCat
I have been wondering recently if my test kits may have expired or just weren't very good, so I got some new ones.

This evening my water tested:

Ammonia 0
PH 8.4
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 5
Phosphate 1
Calcium 380
KH 10dKH
SG 1.027
Temp 78

The SG is high as I am due for a top up. I have to RO water on now and will add it soon.

Other than the phosphate, does my water look ok? I am running a 55 FOWLR with an AquaC Remora Pro. I also have 2 powerheads and a BioWheel that I only run carbon/floss in. The wheels are not on.

Now that I have decent test kits, I will work on lowering my phosphate with the suggestions I was given in another thread.

those are good test results for a fowlr

PRDubois · 05/28/2009, 10:50 PM

If you have corals you want to bring up the Calcium to 400-450

stricknine · 05/29/2009, 12:24 AM

What were you using before, and what are you testing with now?

lombard0 · 05/29/2009, 01:14 AM

Water parameters you posted should be fine for a FOWLR. You dont need to lower the phosphate level since it doesn't affect the fishes that much.

SidCat · 05/29/2009, 07:04 AM

I had been using the Hagen kits. I didn't know any better. I now have the full set of API kits. I like that the colours are distinct on the results chart.

I had planned to upgrade my lights and keep soft corals in my tank, but that is delayed for now.

Won't Phosphate cause bad algae though? I had trouble with red bubble algae at one point. I don't see any nuisance algae right now, so I'm not sure what the extra phosphate is doing to the tank. I use RO/DI wter now, but I did fill the tank initially with tap water. Again, I know better now.

Guygettnby · 05/29/2009, 08:23 AM

im sorry to bust your bubble here but API test kits are for ****. they are in no way a good qaulity test kit and every test kit varies in what it will show.

a good quality test kit would be something on the lines of salifert.

Sisterlimonpot · 05/29/2009, 08:33 AM

Those phosphates are definitely fuel for algae. even with a fowlr tank I would try to get rid of them just for the fact that you'll start to get algae growing everywhere.
^^ true API isn't the best test kit on the market but definitely user friendly. I use them exclusively.

Skeptic_07 · 05/29/2009, 10:03 AM

salifert makes great test kits but i can see how some will find them a bit confusing. To get your PO4 down you can try running some GFO with your carbon. GL

rustyjames · 05/29/2009, 10:53 AM

I have been using API for a while, just got Salifert kits in the mail today. Haven't read directions yet but there is vials and syringes, I'm getting ready to be confused! Can't be that hard, right?

SidCat · 05/29/2009, 03:46 PM

I realize that the API aren't top of the line, but they are so much better than what I had.

Getting my phosphate down is my next project. I have tested my fresh saltwater made using my RO/DI and its 0, so at least I'm not adding any that way.

05/28/2009, 09:27 PM	#1
SidCat Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 205	Finally got some decent test kits I have been wondering recently if my test kits may have expired or just weren't very good, so I got some new ones. This evening my water tested: Ammonia 0 PH 8.4 Nitrite 0 Nitrate 5 Phosphate 1 Calcium 380 KH 10dKH SG 1.027 Temp 78 The SG is high as I am due for a top up. I have to RO water on now and will add it soon. Other than the phosphate, does my water look ok? I am running a 55 FOWLR with an AquaC Remora Pro. I also have 2 powerheads and a BioWheel that I only run carbon/floss in. The wheels are not on. Now that I have decent test kits, I will work on lowering my phosphate with the suggestions I was given in another thread.

05/28/2009, 10:50 PM	#3
PRDubois Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chester, VA Posts: 3,626	If you have corals you want to bring up the Calcium to 400-450 __________________ http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2534403 Current Tank Info: 225 gal Reef, 60 gal reef & 40b frag tank

05/29/2009, 08:33 AM	#8
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	Those phosphates are definitely fuel for algae. even with a fowlr tank I would try to get rid of them just for the fact that you'll start to get algae growing everywhere. ^^ true API isn't the best test kit on the market but definitely user friendly. I use them exclusively. __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

05/29/2009, 10:53 AM	#10
rustyjames EMT-B Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 879	I have been using API for a while, just got Salifert kits in the mail today. Haven't read directions yet but there is vials and syringes, I'm getting ready to be confused! Can't be that hard, right? __________________ I see your Schwartz is as big as mine. Current Tank Info: 20 long

05/29/2009, 12:24 AM	#4
stricknine Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Up North Posts: 989	What were you using before, and what are you testing with now?

05/29/2009, 01:14 AM	#5
lombard0 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Earth Posts: 319	Water parameters you posted should be fine for a FOWLR. You dont need to lower the phosphate level since it doesn't affect the fishes that much.

05/29/2009, 07:04 AM	#6
SidCat Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 205	I had been using the Hagen kits. I didn't know any better. I now have the full set of API kits. I like that the colours are distinct on the results chart. I had planned to upgrade my lights and keep soft corals in my tank, but that is delayed for now. Won't Phosphate cause bad algae though? I had trouble with red bubble algae at one point. I don't see any nuisance algae right now, so I'm not sure what the extra phosphate is doing to the tank. I use RO/DI wter now, but I did fill the tank initially with tap water. Again, I know better now.

05/29/2009, 08:23 AM	#7
Guygettnby Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: FL Posts: 3,050	im sorry to bust your bubble here but API test kits are for ****. they are in no way a good qaulity test kit and every test kit varies in what it will show. a good quality test kit would be something on the lines of salifert.

05/29/2009, 10:03 AM	#9
Skeptic_07 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: lawn guy land Posts: 1,418	salifert makes great test kits but i can see how some will find them a bit confusing. To get your PO4 down you can try running some GFO with your carbon. GL

05/29/2009, 03:46 PM	#11
SidCat Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 205	I realize that the API aren't top of the line, but they are so much better than what I had. Getting my phosphate down is my next project. I have tested my fresh saltwater made using my RO/DI and its 0, so at least I'm not adding any that way.