00W's AIO Smorgasbord

[tbrown]

Are you using RODI?

 

[Calmwaters]

Are you using RODI?

Yes

 

[tbrown]

Yes

Have you tested the RODI for nitrates/phosphates? Should be 0 but... Also test the water after mixing the salt. Some salt mixes have been reported to have ammonia sources in them which means water changes won't lower nitrates.

 

[00W]

Yes about 20% there were minor changes but not as much as I thought there would be. I just want to be able to grow beautiful easy corals...

Did you test your new water?
Numbers aren't that out of line Amanda.
Not at all.

 

[Calmwaters]

Did you test your new water?
Numbers aren't that out of line Amanda.
Not at all.

You mean before I put it in the tank?

 

[Calmwaters]

Have you tested the RODI for nitrates/phosphates? Should be 0 but... Also test the water after mixing the salt. Some salt mixes have been reported to have ammonia sources in them which means water changes won't lower nitrates.

Yes everything is 0

 

[Calmwaters]

Did you test your new water?
Numbers aren't that out of line Amanda.
Not at all.

I thought the magnesium and calcium needed to be higher?

 

[Calmwaters]

And that nitrate should be less than 10?

 

[tbrown]

I thought the magnesium and calcium needed to be higher?

And that nitrate should be less than 10?

No and no. Not necessarily. I run my nitrates around 30-50. Yours is almost perfect. 0.25 phosphates and 25 nitrates is about the right ratio from what I've read.

 

[tbrown]

Calcium could be slightly higher, magnesium as well but they're both within acceptable limits.

 

[Calmwaters]

No and no. Not necessarily. I run my nitrates around 30-50. Yours is almost perfect. 0.25 phosphates and 25 nitrates is about the right ratio from what I've read.

Oh thank goodness! I thought I was way off. So what would you guys do if these were your readings?

 

[tbrown]

Oh thank goodness! I thought I was way off. So what would you guys do if these were your readings?

Be happy? My magnesium is rarely over 1200. My calcium is rarely under 500. My alkalinity is difficult to keep at 8.6. phosphates I have to dose to keep above 0.0. Nitrates sit around 50-75 usually.

 

[Calmwaters]

Be happy? My magnesium is rarely over 1200. My calcium is rarely under 500. My alkalinity is difficult to keep at 8.6. phosphates I have to dose to keep above 0.0. Nitrates sit around 50-75 usually.

Then I will stop worrying about it and be happy. I was thinking something in the parameters would tell me why I have algea.

 

[00W]

Then I will stop worrying about it and be happy. I was thinking something in the parameters would tell me why I have algea.

There will always be algae.
It's the way it is.
Some things will never change....
Chasing numbers is a game we seldom win.
And it's exhausting.

 

[Calmwaters]

There will always be algae.
It's the way it is.
Some things will never change....
Chasing numbers is a game we seldom win.
And it's exhausting.

I'm just going to have my LFS order me a sea hare.

 

[00W]

Then I will stop worrying about it and be happy. I was thinking something in the parameters would tell me why I have algea.

Algae does not mean the tank is unhealthy, horid or bad in any way.
Sometimes quite the opposite.
There's stuff growing in my tank I don't even know what it is I just figure it's part of the tanks life.

 

[tbrown]

I have a Liver Sponge I transferred from the 125.

It's currently encrusting my Golden Gate Galaxea.

 

[tbrown]

That's part of my CUC. Sponges eat nutrients and filter particulates from the water column.

 

[kevgib67]

Oh thank goodness! I thought I was way off. So what would you guys do if these were your readings?

My nitrates are usually at 25 and phosphate at .25 sometimes a little lower. Been that way as long as I can remember. I tested a fresh batch of salt water and magnesium was 1350 and Calcium was 420. I find my torches, frogspawn and hammers thrive with magnesium at 1400 so I dose to keep it at that or a little higher.

 

[Calmwaters]

Algae does not mean the tank is unhealthy, horid or bad in any way.
Sometimes quite the opposite.
There's stuff growing in my tank I don't even know what it is I just figure it's part of the tanks life.

I guess my brain is still in freshwater mode where a lot of algea means something is off.