parameters what should i do

i test my water tody here is the results

ph 7.8 to 8.0 closer to 7.8

temp 77
sg-1.026
Nitrate-1
phos- .5
mg- 1500
alk- 10
cal-520

question is should i dose some dkh buffer to help lower the levels of cal and mg and raise my p.h up higher or what my cal has been reading high for awhile now i use api on phos test, and cal test, and p.h. test and elos for the rest gonna order rest elos soon

 

I would prob do about a 25-30% water change

 

I would just let Ca levels fall naturally.

 

what about mag i plan on doing a water change today

 

i thought they were to high are they not?

 

I think the calcium is only on the high end really, and I would try and get rid of those phosphates as well, the nitrate isn't an issue IMO.

I would just let the calcium fall naturally as well and maintain the other levels, having 1500 mg is not an issue at all and 10dkh is quite common for a lot of people to run at.

 

I agree with the above that your parameters seem mostly ok except phosphates and pH. Ideally pH could be higher than 7.8. I wonder if your water is adequately oxygenated? A build-up of CO2 in the water could lower pH. I would just make sure that you have enough water movement for oxygenation.

 

if it helps, I run mine a bit high (maybe a bit higher than I'd recommend for a noob) but they work well for me.

Ca 460
dKH 13
Mg 1500

 

i have around 700 to 800 gph in my tank but it does have a canopy i am thinking of going with a clip on mh light would that help with that and could it be that my calcium test kit is reading a bit high its api test kit and i think ive read where they read a little high sometimes