Help balancing my chemistry

:2thumbsup

 

Okay, I think I understand. I wait, and once things are balanced, then start again with buffer/calcium. I was on an every-other-day schedule, M-F, Kent calcium and Superbuffer. I was looking through my journal trying to figure out why I stopped, and can't come up with an answer. Thanks for all the help, you've cleared up my questions!
Sue

 

Each tank is different. Some suck down Calcium like there's no tomorrow and others suck down the alkalinity. You have to learn your tank and there's only one way to do that.....testing.

Once you get balanced, you will need to figure out the Calcium and Alk demands of your system. Only then, can anyone tell you how to dose.

 

"In certain circumstances (which rarely occur) Calcium can be limiting below 380 ppm. The reasons it's rare is because Strontium and Magnesium can act as stand-ins for Calcium."

Do I also need to test for Strontium? And, is it normal that my frogspawn and zoos seem to be doing better?

 

I have also found out that if your salinity is kept between 1.022ppm and 1.024ppm
every other parameter pretty much stabilize it self better

 

Going back to college for my degree in chemistry isn't needed, then??!

 

I have an update from this am's readings:
temp 78
pH 8.2
Ammonia 0
ALK 13.8dKH/ 4.91 meq/L
Phosphate .08 mg/L
Calcium 435 mg/L
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10

I haven't done a thing since 9-25-08 parameters, other than top off and empty the skimmer cup. Since my ALK is down and my calcium up, am I status quo or do I start with the buffer/calcium additives? BTW, my colt
coral has come back from the brink of death;D

 

Your numbers are fine, dont do a thing until you see them going down. If you start dosing now, you have a good chance of over dosing. Luna

 

Thanks for the reply, Luna- I'm going to watch my numbers, wait, wait, wait, and hopefully nothing else will die!