i lost an acro today

silverfly · 11/20/2009, 08:21 AM

within the last 24 hours my acro went from brown to just a skeleton.

180g DT

80g sump

deltec skimmer

1 moorish idol
regal angel
marroon clown(in sump awaiting new home)
yellow tang
box fish
midas blenny
cleaner shrimps
crabs and snails
soft corals mushrooms
a few lps and 1 remaining acro

nitrates0
phos-0
temp79-83 morning to evening
salt-.o26
ph-7.7-8.0 i find it hard to read to be honest
kh-196.9ppm
calcium-560
mg-1500ppm+ i needed to add a few more drops to the syringe to get the colour to change but its pretty high!

So my balance looks out. What do i need to do? How do i achieve this and with which products?

Thanks!

Richie

silverfly · 11/20/2009, 08:22 AM

Btw, change two salt buckets worth of ro every 2-3 days and am using reef crystals at the mo.

bertoni · 11/20/2009, 04:39 PM

I'm not sure how the magnesium got that high. Have you tried measuring some freshly-mixed saltwater? What's being dosed?

silverfly · 11/21/2009, 03:09 AM

i'll do that. Thanks Jonathon. I do not dose or have reactors. Where can i start?

ScottAAZ · 11/21/2009, 04:14 AM

If you arent dosing, I dont see how your calcium or Mag could get that high, you should try testing it again, also test freshly mixed saltwater you use for changes.

HighlandReefer · 11/21/2009, 07:20 AM

What are you using to measure salinity with?

silverfly · 11/21/2009, 07:34 AM

You could have it! Its a swing arm. The salt could be 1.029 and the extra salt(reef crystals)bumping up the calc and mg. I'm going out this afternoon to the lfs. I'll get a good refractometer . Should i get a ph buffer? Anything else?
Thanks so much

Richie

HighlandReefer · 11/21/2009, 07:41 AM

To calibrate the refractometer properly you can't use pure water. You will need some Pinpoint 53.0 mS calibrating fluid to do it properly.

HighlandReefer · 11/21/2009, 07:46 AM

Stay away from the pH buffers for adjusting pH. You will end up with high alk. levels if you do. I would not worry about your pH until you buy a good two-point calibrating pH monitor, like the PinPoint.

silverfly · 11/21/2009, 07:46 AM

is that the best tool to measure salinity?

silverfly · 11/21/2009, 07:49 AM

How can i raise my ph highland reefer?
Surely my ph needs to come up.

HighlandReefer · 11/21/2009, 07:50 AM

A refractometer is fine unless you want to get into a lot more money for expensive salinity meters.

Once you get your refractometer and properly caibrate it, you can use it to calibrate your swing arm by placing a mark on it where you want the salinity.

HighlandReefer · 11/21/2009, 07:55 AM

If you are using a test kit for pH, I would not trust its accuracy.

If your pH is truly lower than 7.8, then using kalk water for supplementing your calcium and alkalinity is the best way to go to increase the pH up past the 7.8 mark. You can also use baked baking soda (sodium carbonate or soda ash) to increase the pH by using it to supplement alk. BulkReefSupply sells these chemicals at lower cost then the commercial supplements.

silverfly · 11/21/2009, 11:06 AM

Oh my god! Got my new refractometer. Water isnt 1.026

its 1.032!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HighlandReefer · 11/21/2009, 02:22 PM

Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for hydrometers to be significantly off from the correct value. Mine is off by 0.04, but does work well once I calibrated it with my refractometer.

bertoni · 11/21/2009, 10:18 PM

I would lower the SG over a period of a couple of weeks or so. Sudden changes in SG can be very damaging.

silverfly · 11/22/2009, 05:06 AM

Thanks i will.
Do you think this could have anything to do with my other parameters being high?
How much higher do you think SG could have gone before a crash?

richie

HighlandReefer · 11/22/2009, 07:12 AM

Reef Crystals mixed to 1.0264 should come in around:
calcium: 490
alk: 13 dKH or 197 ppm CaCO3
mag: 1440

Reef Crystals mixed to 1.032 should come in around:
calcium: 593
alk: 16 or 285.7 ppm CaCO3
mag: 1742

Since the alk is so high (over 12 dKH) you probably have had some calcium carbonate precipitation occurring already, resulting in a lower alk. level and a smaller decrease in calcium. Plus you have had some consumption by your organisms. Extreme precipitation events (snow storms) are triggered by a high pH in most cases.

silverfly · 11/22/2009, 08:08 AM

Thanks for the help. It seems the salt was the cause of my problems.
Everyone should have a refractometer! I love mine.

richie

Briankook · 11/22/2009, 08:11 AM

A refractometer should be calibrated? Are you serious?

I never calibrated mine...now I am worried.

HighlandReefer · 11/22/2009, 08:12 AM

Your welcome.

Happy Reefing

HighlandReefer · 11/22/2009, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Briankook

A refractometer should be calibrated? Are you serious?

I never calibrated mine...now I am worried.

Refractometers and Salinity Measurement
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-12/rhf/index.php

Briankook · 11/22/2009, 08:54 AM

Thanks Cliff!

silverfly · 11/22/2009, 09:09 AM

Yes, thanks again Cliff!
I am a happy reefer now

Richie

HighlandReefer · 11/22/2009, 09:18 AM

I'm quite content reefing happily ever after every once in a while.

11/20/2009, 08:21 AM	#1
silverfly Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: england Posts: 579	i lost an acro today within the last 24 hours my acro went from brown to just a skeleton. 180g DT 80g sump deltec skimmer 1 moorish idol regal angel marroon clown(in sump awaiting new home) yellow tang box fish midas blenny cleaner shrimps crabs and snails soft corals mushrooms a few lps and 1 remaining acro nitrates0 phos-0 temp79-83 morning to evening salt-.o26 ph-7.7-8.0 i find it hard to read to be honest kh-196.9ppm calcium-560 mg-1500ppm+ i needed to add a few more drops to the syringe to get the colour to change but its pretty high! So my balance looks out. What do i need to do? How do i achieve this and with which products? Thanks! Richie Last edited by silverfly; 11/20/2009 at 08:38 AM.

11/20/2009, 04:39 PM	#3
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I'm not sure how the magnesium got that high. Have you tried measuring some freshly-mixed saltwater? What's being dosed? __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

11/21/2009, 07:20 AM	#6
HighlandReefer Team RC Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highland, Maryland Entomologist Posts: 14,591	What are you using to measure salinity with? __________________ Cliff Babcock Intestests: Digital Microscopy; Marine Pest Control; Marine Plants & Macroalgae Current Tank Info: 180 g. mixed reef system

11/21/2009, 07:41 AM	#8
HighlandReefer Team RC Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highland, Maryland Entomologist Posts: 14,591	To calibrate the refractometer properly you can't use pure water. You will need some Pinpoint 53.0 mS calibrating fluid to do it properly. __________________ Cliff Babcock Intestests: Digital Microscopy; Marine Pest Control; Marine Plants & Macroalgae Current Tank Info: 180 g. mixed reef system

11/21/2009, 07:46 AM	#9
HighlandReefer Team RC Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highland, Maryland Entomologist Posts: 14,591	Stay away from the pH buffers for adjusting pH. You will end up with high alk. levels if you do. I would not worry about your pH until you buy a good two-point calibrating pH monitor, like the PinPoint. __________________ Cliff Babcock Intestests: Digital Microscopy; Marine Pest Control; Marine Plants & Macroalgae Current Tank Info: 180 g. mixed reef system

11/20/2009, 08:22 AM	#2
silverfly Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: england Posts: 579	Btw, change two salt buckets worth of ro every 2-3 days and am using reef crystals at the mo.

11/21/2009, 03:09 AM	#4
silverfly Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: england Posts: 579	i'll do that. Thanks Jonathon. I do not dose or have reactors. Where can i start?

11/21/2009, 04:14 AM	#5
ScottAAZ Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 9	If you arent dosing, I dont see how your calcium or Mag could get that high, you should try testing it again, also test freshly mixed saltwater you use for changes.

11/21/2009, 07:34 AM	#7
silverfly Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: england Posts: 579	You could have it! Its a swing arm. The salt could be 1.029 and the extra salt(reef crystals)bumping up the calc and mg. I'm going out this afternoon to the lfs. I'll get a good refractometer . Should i get a ph buffer? Anything else? Thanks so much Richie

11/21/2009, 07:49 AM	#11
silverfly Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: england Posts: 579	How can i raise my ph highland reefer? Surely my ph needs to come up.

11/21/2009, 07:50 AM	#12
HighlandReefer Team RC Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highland, Maryland Entomologist Posts: 14,591	A refractometer is fine unless you want to get into a lot more money for expensive salinity meters. Once you get your refractometer and properly caibrate it, you can use it to calibrate your swing arm by placing a mark on it where you want the salinity. __________________ Cliff Babcock Intestests: Digital Microscopy; Marine Pest Control; Marine Plants & Macroalgae Current Tank Info: 180 g. mixed reef system

11/21/2009, 07:55 AM	#13
HighlandReefer Team RC Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highland, Maryland Entomologist Posts: 14,591	If you are using a test kit for pH, I would not trust its accuracy. If your pH is truly lower than 7.8, then using kalk water for supplementing your calcium and alkalinity is the best way to go to increase the pH up past the 7.8 mark. You can also use baked baking soda (sodium carbonate or soda ash) to increase the pH by using it to supplement alk. BulkReefSupply sells these chemicals at lower cost then the commercial supplements. __________________ Cliff Babcock Intestests: Digital Microscopy; Marine Pest Control; Marine Plants & Macroalgae Current Tank Info: 180 g. mixed reef system

11/21/2009, 11:06 AM	#14
silverfly Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: england Posts: 579	Oh my god! Got my new refractometer. Water isnt 1.026 its 1.032!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

11/21/2009, 02:22 PM	#15
HighlandReefer Team RC Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highland, Maryland Entomologist Posts: 14,591	Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for hydrometers to be significantly off from the correct value. Mine is off by 0.04, but does work well once I calibrated it with my refractometer. __________________ Cliff Babcock Intestests: Digital Microscopy; Marine Pest Control; Marine Plants & Macroalgae Current Tank Info: 180 g. mixed reef system

11/21/2009, 10:18 PM	#16
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I would lower the SG over a period of a couple of weeks or so. Sudden changes in SG can be very damaging. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

11/22/2009, 05:06 AM	#17
silverfly Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: england Posts: 579	Thanks i will. Do you think this could have anything to do with my other parameters being high? How much higher do you think SG could have gone before a crash? richie

11/22/2009, 07:12 AM	#18
HighlandReefer Team RC Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highland, Maryland Entomologist Posts: 14,591	Reef Crystals mixed to 1.0264 should come in around: calcium: 490 alk: 13 dKH or 197 ppm CaCO3 mag: 1440 Reef Crystals mixed to 1.032 should come in around: calcium: 593 alk: 16 or 285.7 ppm CaCO3 mag: 1742 Since the alk is so high (over 12 dKH) you probably have had some calcium carbonate precipitation occurring already, resulting in a lower alk. level and a smaller decrease in calcium. Plus you have had some consumption by your organisms. Extreme precipitation events (snow storms) are triggered by a high pH in most cases. __________________ Cliff Babcock Intestests: Digital Microscopy; Marine Pest Control; Marine Plants & Macroalgae Current Tank Info: 180 g. mixed reef system

11/22/2009, 08:08 AM	#19
silverfly Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: england Posts: 579	Thanks for the help. It seems the salt was the cause of my problems. Everyone should have a refractometer! I love mine. richie

11/22/2009, 08:11 AM	#20
Briankook Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Reading,PA Posts: 744	A refractometer should be calibrated? Are you serious? I never calibrated mine...now I am worried. __________________ Brian Current Tank Info: 180 Gallon BB in wall..., 250 lbs.LR, 65 gallon fuge, 3,400W 10K XM Halides, 4, 160W VHO's on pulleys, Deltec 902 skimmer w/ozone, MAXCAP RODI autotopoff, 3 Tunzes & 1 Vortech

11/22/2009, 08:12 AM	#21
HighlandReefer Team RC Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highland, Maryland Entomologist Posts: 14,591	Your welcome. Happy Reefing __________________ Cliff Babcock Intestests: Digital Microscopy; Marine Pest Control; Marine Plants & Macroalgae Current Tank Info: 180 g. mixed reef system

11/22/2009, 08:54 AM	#23
Briankook Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Reading,PA Posts: 744	Thanks Cliff! __________________ Brian Current Tank Info: 180 Gallon BB in wall..., 250 lbs.LR, 65 gallon fuge, 3,400W 10K XM Halides, 4, 160W VHO's on pulleys, Deltec 902 skimmer w/ozone, MAXCAP RODI autotopoff, 3 Tunzes & 1 Vortech

11/22/2009, 09:09 AM	#24
silverfly Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: england Posts: 579	Yes, thanks again Cliff! I am a happy reefer now Richie

11/22/2009, 09:18 AM	#25
HighlandReefer Team RC Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highland, Maryland Entomologist Posts: 14,591	I'm quite content reefing happily ever after every once in a while. __________________ Cliff Babcock Intestests: Digital Microscopy; Marine Pest Control; Marine Plants & Macroalgae Current Tank Info: 180 g. mixed reef system