Calcium at 600!

From what Iv just read online looks like I need some buffer to get my PH back down and alkalinity up.

 

Mike, carbonate hardness and alkalinity are the same. If you tested for, and got a carbonate hardness of 10, then you do in fact have an alk test. It's just a different name, but synonomous.

Also, the presence of nitrites indicates you had some ammonia a very short time ago. This is probably why your sweetlips is not doing so well.

 

pH is high as well. Should be 8.2-8.4.....


Edit: I see you've stated the same. Disregard.

 

Ok heres my conclusion and plan of action. Tell me what you think. I dont use buffer so my alkalinity has probably been dropping. Im going to start adding buffer to keep it up. Phosfates are probably high due to overfeeding. Im limiting feeding and letting my recent algea bloom burn its self out and hope they stay down.

 

It's far better to have the facts and take appropriate action.

It sounds like you're guessing that your alk is dropping, and you're also guessing as to why this might be happening.

You're setting youself up for disaster here. Find out what your alk is. Take the reading again in a couple of weeks and find out if it's moving, and in what direction, then you can take appropriate action.

When you start guessing that things are happening, and guessing why; then however you intervene--is perhaps more likely to exacserbate things than to remedy them.

 

Do you mean nitrate? Nitrite at 5mg/L is a very toxic level...

 

I would suggest you take a water sample in a glass container (not plastic, glass) to the LFS and have them test your water. Testing water is true chemistry and it's not for everyone. There's a lot to learn besides following the directions on the test kit.

If there's ANY question about water quality you're not sure on then a 20% water change shouldn't hurt and will buy you a bit more time to figure out what's wrong. Just make sure your incoming water is good, i.e. mixed for 24 hours, clean, right temp, right SG.

Good luck on your water problems, sounds like there are a lot of uncertainty, which is a good indicator that something is wrong - it might be your testing method, might be your tests, might be your water. Getting a second opinion is a good thing.

-Doug

edit:

Alkalinity is measured in a variety of metrics. What are you using?

Alkalinity mEq/L (MilliEquivelents per liter) is the common metric used in titration type testing kits.

mEq/L x 50 = ppm CaCO3
mEq/L x 2.8 = °DKH (German Carbonate Hardness, commonly used metric in reef keeping)
mEq/L x 3.5 = °ECH (English...)
mEq/L x 5.0 = °FCH (French...)
mEq/L x 2.92 = Grains per Gallon CaCO3 (used to calculate molar concentrations)

(from IO test kit instructions)

 

Ok Im gonna go have my water tested and compare the results.

 

Another typo. It was the nitrates that were high.

 

Ok I added a small dose of buffer did the alkalinity test about 5 times to be sure I was getting a consistent reading and it is now at about 8 DKH