My First Water Test

Brand newbie here.

My first water test.

Tank has been running about a month as I have been configuring and reconfiguring the sump/refugium until I think I got it right. I also only in the last day or so got the skimmer adjusted correctly (produced some nasty smelling stuff).

Marine Test Lab Kit
pH = 8.4
Alk 2.2
Nitrite 0.025
Nitrate 0
Ammonia 0.0125

Specific Gravity = 1.020 using one of those combination floating themometers slash SG things.

First question... what the heck does all this mean??

Second question... I remember reading a thread with "target values", but can't find it now. What should these be and what else should I be measuring?

Third question... Something is telling me there are better ways of getting measurements. What do you recommend?? I know I should be measuring Calcium... recommendations please.

Thanks.
Mark

 

yeah you want to use calcium tests. your nitrite is going to go off the roof and spike. then drop to 0 and your nitrate is going to explode and drop by the end of your cycle.

your test kit should come with a pamphlet that explains how and WHY your are testing what you are testing, reading up on that can help explain some things for you.

 

Here's a brief list of some general values you should be aiming for.

Ammonia - 0ppm
Nitrite - 0ppm
Nitrate - <10ppm, but this can depend on what you are keeping coral wise
Phosphate <.03ppm (ideally 0ppm)
dKh - 8-12
Ca - 360-450 (Ideally want it about 420ppm)
Mg - 1300-1400ppm
Ph - 8.0-8.4 ideally 8.2, but keep in mind this will fluctuate with the dissolved O2 in your tank and CO2, a refugium run opposite your DT will help to keep this stable.
Salinity - 1.026 (but can range, your is a bit low)
Temp 75-82, doesn't really matter what the temp is between this range, just want to keep it stable.

Now, the fact that you asked what all those numbers mean scares me in that it sounds like you may not have read enough about the initial stages of this hobby. Initially, you want your tank to cycle, which yours is doing right now. When your parameters of ammonia and nitrite reach back down to 0ppm, you can start adding livestock, but very slowly as you biological filter needs time to catch back up to the increased bioload. Take things slow and you will be very happy with the results.

 

I have done a ton of reading but haven't converted that knowledge to being able to apply it yet. Right now, I only have 2 Blue Damsels in there... nothing else. I figured I'd get the tank set up and wait until after Christmas to add anything new.

Right now, I have tap water, dechlor'ed with added salt. Just got my RO/DI unit. Over the next month was planning on 20% water changes with RO-DI water each week. For the time being, I figure that will keep the levels in good shape. During that time, I was planning on reading more and more to figure out the right method of dosing and measuring the various parameters.

If I need to wait longer, that's fine. I really want to wait until I can apply the knowledge before investing in any further livestock, corals etc.

BTW -- The LR had been in a FOWLR tank for several years. The sand is new. I assumed to LR was already cycled and that the sand would take a month or so to even out.

Am I making sense??

M

 

BTW--- how do you convert this Alk reading into dKH??

 

it will be all over the place for a few weeks, just go slow and measure once or twice a week and after a month or two try to get in line with guitar mans specs he gave you a good goal

 

Cool. I will measure 2 twice a week and report back in a few.

I am confused on dosing. So many opinions out there. Advice??

M

 

I would let the tank fully cycle before doing any water changes.You should'nt dose anything without first testing to see if its needed.If your coral stock is mostly soft corals water changes with a good quality salt mix will most likely give you everything you need.If you add any stony corals or clams then you will probably need to supplement.Monitoring calcium,alkalinity,and magnesium levels is also important if you would like to promote coraline algae growth.

 

Thanks. I'll monitoring and focus on getting my RO/DI running and getting additional test kits. Eventually I want to be able to try the full spectrum of corals but I am willing to go slow and learn.

 

Multiply by 2.8 for DKH
thus 2.2 X 2.8 = 6.16 - a bit low
ideal levels are 8 - 12

but dont do anything yet, as the damsels dont really care
and your tank will go through many parameter changes at start up

I would gradually increase your SG to around 1.025 - if your considering corals, get a refractometer as they are better and more acccurate than the floating hydrometers

I believe , with the increased salinity, your magnesium, calcium and Alk should all increase, as you will have more total Ions dissolved in that new solution

Steve