I have been buying some kits to test my water and I have some results for the experts here to give me their thoughts. I am pretty confident that I have done the test right.
Mag. 920
Nitrates 18
dKH 8
Alk 2.86
Calcium 400 This number was 495 two weeks ago
but I stopped using the 2 part to try and lower this number
Water Test Results
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Redfish
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- My SetUp: AGA 150g 48x30x25, Reef Octopus Skimmer, Bio Pellet, Phosphate, Carbon reactor. Mostly a SPS coral tank with a few zoas a Green Polyp Toadstool, a Chalice or two and a couple of Scollys thrown in there. Top Off System and dosing pump system for Calcium and Alk.
- Location: D'Iberville Mississippi
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Gerwin
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Re: Water Test Results
1200-1400 seems to be the numbers accepted for Mag levels
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Redfish
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- Joined: Sun Oct 25, 2009 6:49 am
- My SetUp: AGA 150g 48x30x25, Reef Octopus Skimmer, Bio Pellet, Phosphate, Carbon reactor. Mostly a SPS coral tank with a few zoas a Green Polyp Toadstool, a Chalice or two and a couple of Scollys thrown in there. Top Off System and dosing pump system for Calcium and Alk.
- Location: D'Iberville Mississippi
Re: Water Test Results
Mag. up to 1000. I missed dosen this morning, so I dosed after I got home from work, but after the test. Will check it in a few more days.
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jenningsxxx
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Re: Water Test Results
I would love to have 495 CAL!!! How are your SPS corals doing?
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jenningsxxx
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Re: Water Test Results
I just tested my Iodine and it was off the charts low. >.01. I think that is why I had a couple of sps corals bleach out.
Just another test might want to get.
Just another test might want to get.
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Gerwin
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Re: Water Test Results
after doing some re reading in the reef bible, 400 seems to be standard acceptable in the seas but actually they speak of nearing 500 around coastal waters and that should be where you attempt to maintain in the home aquarium as suitable number. per Delbeek / SprungRedfish wrote:I have been buying some kits to test my water and I have some results for the experts here to give me their thoughts. I am pretty confident that I have done the test right.
Mag. 920
Nitrates 18
dKH 8
Alk 2.86
Calcium 400 This number was 495 two weeks ago
but I stopped using the 2 part to try and lower this number
-
Redfish
- Discus Member
- Posts: 983
- Joined: Sun Oct 25, 2009 6:49 am
- My SetUp: AGA 150g 48x30x25, Reef Octopus Skimmer, Bio Pellet, Phosphate, Carbon reactor. Mostly a SPS coral tank with a few zoas a Green Polyp Toadstool, a Chalice or two and a couple of Scollys thrown in there. Top Off System and dosing pump system for Calcium and Alk.
- Location: D'Iberville Mississippi
Re: Water Test Results
The two corals are doing great, meaning, I haven't killed them yet, just give me time, lol. They look the same now as when I brought them home.
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Redfish
- Discus Member
- Posts: 983
- Joined: Sun Oct 25, 2009 6:49 am
- My SetUp: AGA 150g 48x30x25, Reef Octopus Skimmer, Bio Pellet, Phosphate, Carbon reactor. Mostly a SPS coral tank with a few zoas a Green Polyp Toadstool, a Chalice or two and a couple of Scollys thrown in there. Top Off System and dosing pump system for Calcium and Alk.
- Location: D'Iberville Mississippi
Re: Water Test Results
Test results from today, New test kit Phosphate
Phosphate 0.5
Magnesium 1120 was 920 2wks ago 1000 last week
dKH 8.0
Alk 2.86
Calcium 430
Nitrates did this test today with the good test kit,
not the cheap dip sticks, I want it to be lower but it is what it is, 25
Maybe a new skimmer will bring this number down, what
do you think? Can't seem to get this number down below 20
The Phosphate number is the first time I have done this test
and according to the chart, the reading below the one I have
says retards coral growth, that dosn't sound good. What do I need to do about this number?
Phosphate 0.5
Magnesium 1120 was 920 2wks ago 1000 last week
dKH 8.0
Alk 2.86
Calcium 430
Nitrates did this test today with the good test kit,
not the cheap dip sticks, I want it to be lower but it is what it is, 25
Maybe a new skimmer will bring this number down, what
do you think? Can't seem to get this number down below 20
The Phosphate number is the first time I have done this test
and according to the chart, the reading below the one I have
says retards coral growth, that dosn't sound good. What do I need to do about this number?
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Gerwin
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- Joined: Tue Nov 30, 2004 3:41 pm
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Re: Water Test Results
The dip strips continue to impress me, I mean we all strive for 0 but for you to know how close you are to that in a few seconds with no drop counting the strips are fine IMO, if you are really low than break out the low range test to see how low you areRedfish wrote:Test results from today, New test kit Phosphate
Phosphate 0.5
Magnesium 1120 was 920 2wks ago 1000 last week
dKH 8.0
Alk 2.86
Calcium 430
Nitrates did this test today with the good test kit,
not the cheap dip sticks, I want it to be lower but it is what it is, 25
Maybe a new skimmer will bring this number down, what
do you think? Can't seem to get this number down below 20
The Phosphate number is the first time I have done this test
and according to the chart, the reading below the one I have
says retards coral growth, that dosn't sound good. What do I need to do about this number?
Skimmers will indirectly reduce nitrates by removing some ( depending on size of skimmer and water turnover, determines how much) organics before they get the chance to convert through to nitrates in the system. Another words do not add a skimmer put it in and expect any nitrates in the water to go away.
That is going to require water changes, possibly algae scrubbers to remove nitrates by use of plants during photosynthesis, possibly the vodka trick, or some other means of denitrification.
Phosphates are high and the higher the phosphates the more difficult it is for the Coral to utilize calcium to build. Hence the retardation in growth...not intelligence
which is good as my phosphate intake is pretty high growth I can handle...any more stupid and I might be in troubleYour CA and ALK are ok but you can probably work on bring them up a tad, maybe shoot for 450-500 and 3.5
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Redfish
- Discus Member
- Posts: 983
- Joined: Sun Oct 25, 2009 6:49 am
- My SetUp: AGA 150g 48x30x25, Reef Octopus Skimmer, Bio Pellet, Phosphate, Carbon reactor. Mostly a SPS coral tank with a few zoas a Green Polyp Toadstool, a Chalice or two and a couple of Scollys thrown in there. Top Off System and dosing pump system for Calcium and Alk.
- Location: D'Iberville Mississippi
Re: Water Test Results
New numbers for my Phosphates Week ago 0.50 After one week with the Pura Phoslock 0.25 Still high but heading in the right direction
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Gerwin
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Re: Water Test Results
and today they are? also what is Phosphate out of the RO unit?
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Redfish
- Discus Member
- Posts: 983
- Joined: Sun Oct 25, 2009 6:49 am
- My SetUp: AGA 150g 48x30x25, Reef Octopus Skimmer, Bio Pellet, Phosphate, Carbon reactor. Mostly a SPS coral tank with a few zoas a Green Polyp Toadstool, a Chalice or two and a couple of Scollys thrown in there. Top Off System and dosing pump system for Calcium and Alk.
- Location: D'Iberville Mississippi
Re: Water Test Results
I will check on that, phosphates out of the RO unit.