Chem Levels

Discussion in 'Water Chemistry' started by onecansay, Mar 6, 2008.

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  1. onecansay

    onecansay Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2008
    Messages:
    87
    Location:
    Ontario/Canada
    I need to get some things straight in my head:help:.
    My levels.
    At this day 06/03/08. 10:30 P.M.
    Main tank lights off and fuge on.
    Salinity: 1.024 using Sybon refractometer
    P.H.: 8.2 -8.4 using my test kit. (API)
    Calcium: 450-500 using my test kit. Turned colour as soon as last drop was added. (Red Sea)
    Temp: 78F.
    KH: 8dKH or 143 KH/GH. (API)
    Ammonia, Nitrites @ 0 and Nitrates literally 0. (API)
    Phosphates: I may be colour challenged but I read between 0.5 and 1.0 PO4/3.
    50 Gallon Main with no substrate, just LR.
    23 Gallon Refugium/Sump with protein skimmer.
    Lots of water movement (1500 GPH with Koralia Power Heads) AND change (900 GPH).

    Question:

    What else should I be looking for as far as parameter readings and are my readings even close.:p

    Live rock is over 1 year old, moved from original 29 gallon tank to this configuration 4 weeks ago.

    Lots of new things growing!!

    Original sand from 29 gallon in fuge with 2 mangrove plants and some of that wiry stringy stuff that is supposed to eat the nitrates if you know what I mean.

    Any suggestions. I do not know my MG as I still need to get a kit.

    thanx in advance to all>
     
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  3. reef_guru

    reef_guru Humpback Whale

    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2007
    Messages:
    2,753
    Location:
    joliet,il
    nsw salinity is 1.026
    dkH or meq/L is used not KH/GH
    the wiry stringy stuff is Chaetomorpha nickname speghetti algae
    Ca 450-500 is a wide range you might want to try a different test kit like salifert to get a better #
    if Ca is 500 then dKH should be 20
    if Ca is 450 then dKH should be 13
    so based off of that imop you test kits are off and you need a more precise kit, again salifert
    testing Mg is a must, if your gonna house sps then Sr is going to need testing also

    what are your lights?
     
  4. onecansay

    onecansay Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2008
    Messages:
    87
    Location:
    Ontario/Canada
    Thanx for the reply.
    Lightning:
    4-39 watt T5 HO 18k and 2-39 watt T5 Actinic in main tank. On 12.5 hours a day.
    1-24 watt T5 HO 18k and 1-24 watt T5 Actinic in Refugium.
    On opposite of main tank.
     
  5. Otty

    Otty Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2006
    Messages:
    6,467
    Location:
    Elizabethtown, IN
    Amen