My tests are off what do I do.

Ok I ran my tests 2 days ago and again today and they have been basicly the same for a month now.

2 days ago I had
PH 7.7
Amo- 0
Nitrite-0
nitrate-0
Phos-0
KH-10
Calcium -390
Salitity 1.023

I have been using purpleup for about 2 months every other day. It raise calcium from 280 to 390 so i guess its working but just not very fast.

I also added a teaspoon of kent marine ph buffer.


Today I tested again
PH 8.0
Amo- 0
Nitrite-0
nitrate-0
Phos-0
KH-12
Calcium -390
Salitity 1.023

Isn't my KH too high now. I use only Ro/di water. I guess my kh got raised from the ph buffer. But i don't know what to do to get everything right.

All of my corals seem to be happy but I would really like to correct my levels so I don't run into any problems in the future.

I would like to get my PH to 8.2 or 8.3, I would like my calcium higher like 420-450 and my KH lower like 9-10 I guess.

I am thinking about doing away with the purple up and going with the B-Ionic 2 Part. Any other suggestions to get me in line on everything.


Thanks
Mike

 

Hi Mike,

I would suggest doing a pretty large water exchange using a good standard salt mix.

In my experience, using additives to correct water deficiences, especially after using some, is kind of a monkey chase...as soon as you get something in range, another something goes sideways.

Best to get to a stable base by doing, even a couple, major water exchanges.

:-/

 

get some algae and just put it in the main tank and it will do wonders in just 2 days ... im selling some if your intrested http://www.3reef.com/forums/3reef-trading/chaeto-caulerpa-live-rock-live-sand-41122.html

 

I would just leave it alone. If you're concerned about that kh number, it will drop eventually if you don't add anymore buffer or anymore Purple Up. Also, we need to know what your magnesium levels are. Without proper mag levels, your kh and calcium will see saw.

 

I wouldnt recommend using purple up as a calcium additive. It contains calcium, but not a whole bunch. I use kents calcium as my calcium buffer and dose purple up once a week.

 

That ph/kh need mag to keep calcium up

HI,
saltwater is pretty difficult at times to balance the water, to do it well you need to understand the CA/KH/MAg they must move together or you will lose calcium to a precip event you may see some snow in your tank forming on pumps rocks and returns.
This article helped me alot, you can add all the calcium you want if your KH/And ph are off it will precip, and mag acts alike abuffer to keep the event from occuring. print this articile and read it several times. I have a chemistry background and it made it crystal clear for me.

A Simplified Guide to the Relationship Between Calcium, Alkalinity, Magnesium and pH by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

Doug
most use a 2 part calium liquid for this,
example ((C-Balance®
Two Part Balanced Ionic Supplement of Calcium and Buffer for Marine Aquariums
This two-part calcium and alkalinity maintenance system adjusts calcium, magnesium, and strontium ions to Natural Seawater ratios, and achieves a balanced ionic residual. Makes replenishment of calcium and alkalinity easy, and keeps your calcium and alkalinity in perfect harmony, assuring the optimum conditions for growing stony corals and coralline algae. Packaged in two 500 ml (16 oz) bottles and two 946 ml (32 oz) bottles or as a concentrate in two 3785ml (1 gal.) bottles.
))
mag and stortium are critical items thats why its in the buffer, when you crash all the calcium, mag are used up making the calium carbonate(snow)

I use Kalkwasser but its a bit tricky. always move water parameters very slowly, fish can take a bad PH better than a drastic shift up it can kill them out right. with kalkwasser you must also add mag and strotium so the 2 part is alot easier but a bit more expensive but you will not kill fish.and especially inverts any change in KH and my anemones will close up and start barfing up their last meal not a pretty site. my clowns freak casue they think something wrong with their buddy mister anemome..
example I had a really high KH that caused the calcium and mag to crash I went from calium 440 to 120 overnight. the culprit was a low MAG>I tried to adjust the KH and the fish all went into shock. if I would have done it more slowly and been patient I wouldn't have caused them to suffer alot of stress some died from that singe mistake, that I belive resulted in a ICK out break this took a few more . so thats why it important to understand the take it slow part. you can't hit the desired effect by drastic shift you'll over shoot your mark. and another crash can occur. Water Chemistry is critical for inverts, coral, and fish health. its a very expensive learning curve...

 

Thanks for all the input. My Mag levels are 1280 ppm. Just bought kents 2 part calcuim buffer. I added 6ml of Part A and I will test the water tommorrow. Im going to add another 6ml tomorrow and then over the weekend I will do a 20% water change. On Sunday I will update here with all the test results. I have stopped the purple up for now at least until I get everything where I want it.

Thanks Again
Mike

 

I tested everything again and all levels are the same exept cal.


PH 8.0
Amo- 0
Nitrite-0
nitrate-0
Phos-0
KH-12
Calcium -400
Salitity 1.0235
Mag 1280ppm