How are my Parameters?

Salinity - 1.024
PH - 8.0
Nitrate - 10
Nitrite - 0
Ammonia - 0
Alkalinity - 3.5
Calcium - 285
Phosphate - 0.2

I am using an Instant Ocean test kit for these tests. I know my calcium is low according to the test which I hope I am doing correctly. Its like the API test where you add reagent drops until the solution turns blue except there is no chart like the API, you have to multiply the number of drops times 15 which gives me 285. Does anyone know if when the water turns from pink to purple is that what they mean by blue? Also, if I want to raise my calcium I have a bottle of reef complete calcium. Is that what I need to use?

Stephen

 

To answer a few of your questions Stephen. For the water turning pink/purple, they mean "blue" so don't stop until the water is def "blue".

Your PO4 is a little high, it's best to be at 0 or below 0, are you running any Phos remover?

Do you have a test for Magnesium? You Calcium and Alk are linked to the Mg, if you have a low level of MG that would account for fluctuations in your CA/ALK readings. It would be best to test MG and then dose a supplement to bring it up first and your CA/ALK will then be more stable also. Then you should get on a dosing schedule once your MG is at the right param.

I use the B-Ionic MG supplement, and it does take a lot more dosing to get MG up just an FYI. http://www.marinedepot.com/E.S.V._B...on_Supplements-E.S.V.-EV2170-FIADMILS-vi.html

These are the levels I try to go by:

ALK: 3-4.5
CA: 400-420
MG: 1200+
PO4 - 0 or below

 

Thanks for the clarification on the Calcium test. I am not currently running a phosphate remover. Im in the process of building a 20L sump/fuge which should be up and running in the next week or so. I hope the fuge will help Phosphates/Nitrates and want to try to go natural route before I try a phos remover. I do not currently test magnesium could you suggest a test kit? Also do you test iodine or strontium? Is this necessary? Thanks for the help!

 

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Sounds good, I'm still somewhat new to reefing so learning all the time too. The fuge should def help. I don't have a sump/fuge so run a reactor on my 55g reef with Rowa media and sometimes Chemi Pure Elite, my PO4 has stayed at 0 since or below.

I use the Salifert MG test, I ended up just buying all the Salifert testers just to cover them all. Here's a link to the MG one Salifert Magnesium Test Kit.

I don't test for iodine or strontium. I also never dose with iodine either, it's a subject that is 50/50 in the reef community. Some say it's beneficial, others say your Iodine level should be fine with normal water changes. One very important rule is don't dose for anything you can't test for. Many have crashed their tanks dosing iodine and accidentally overdosing so be wary of that. I have no exp testing strontium.