15 Alk too high?

[GpixL_]

Are you using TAP water for the tank, and to mix salt in?

If so, it could very well explain the high ALK.

I guess so. Does it make sense to test my tap?

 

[Chortanator]

Yes

Ok, I don't mean to be rude or anything, but when you start a saltwater tank you really need to do your research. Even just the bare minimum research will tell you that you need reverse osmosis water, preferably at 0 TDS especially if you want corals. Tap water in general in North America is filled with additives that are toxic to fish, and you should NEVER use straight tap water unless you're on a well and know exactly what's in it.

 

[homer1475]

Exactly why your levels are off. Could also be salinity contributing to it.

We need to start with the basics where, and not worry about chemistry.

You should be using RO/DI, or distilled for the tank.

While tap is mostly fine, if you ever have an issue, the water is the first thing to rule out. Using tap, we don't know whats in the water.

 

[GpixL_]

Ok, I don't mean to be rude or anything, but when you start a saltwater tank you really need to do your research. Even just the bare minimum research will tell you that you need reverse osmosis water, preferably at 0 TDS especially if you want corals. Tap water in general in North America is filled with additives that are toxic to fish, and you should NEVER use straight tap water unless you're on a well and know exactly what's in it.

I did do research. And from what I saw RODI water was recommended but I cannot buy an entire thing to create it and I have no where to hook it up.

 

[X-37B]

Alk - 9-11
Ca - ~400
Mag - 1250 - 1350

Imo your alk range is too wide.
Pic one and focus on keeping it at say 9+- .5.
Your other numbers are fine.
Ca at 500 is not going to hurt and will drop into your range over time so I would not worry about it.

Same with sg. An example is I run sg at 1.0265 +- .0005.

 

[Chortanator]

I did do research. And from what I saw RODI water was recommended but I cannot buy an entire thing to create it and I have no where to hook it up.

Every LFS should have RO water for you to purchase, or at the very least premixed salt water. A small RODI kit is about $100 and you hook it up where you'd attach a hose to your house.

If you ignore what people are recommending, you're gonna have a bad time

 

[GpixL_]

Every LFS should have RO water for you to purchase, or at the very least premixed salt water. A small RODI kit is about $100 and you hook it up where you'd attach a hose to your house.

If you ignore what people are recommending, you're gonna have a bad time

Im not trying to ignore . My LFS is 30 min away. And I cannot exactly bring 50 gallons of premixed water in the car. Im upstairs. The hose would be downstairs and outside. It just doesnt work.

 

[GpixL_]

Imo your alk range is too wide.
Pic one and focus on keeping it at say 9+- .5.
Your other numbers are fine.
Ca at 500 is not going to hurt and will drop into your range over time so I would not worry about it.

Same with sg. An example is I run sg at 1.0265 +- .0005.

What they are saying is that sg readings are wrong. Alk lets say 10

 

[homer1475]

You can actually hook up a RO/DI unit to your kitchen sink. Then unhook it, store it away till you need it again.

I am in no way saying tap can't be used, it's just not ideal.

 

[X-37B]

Ok is this your first salt water tank as it sounds like it?
We want to help but I would slow way down and get a better handle on how a system runs.

 

[GpixL_]

You can actually hook up a RO/DI unit to your kitchen sink. Then unhook it, store it away till you need it again.

I am in no way saying tap can't be used, it's just not ideal.

Ok. But if I get a RODI unit today (for example) and I need to get replace all the water, how do I mix in salt with the sand still in? Like I can take out the rocks but 60 pounds of sand?

 

[GpixL_]

Ok. But if I get a RODI unit today (for example) and I need to get replace all the water, how do I mix in salt with the sand still in? Like I can take out the rocks but 60 pounds of sand?

And I cant really mix in salt with that in right

 

[reefingaz]

I have to say this is very frustrating, I was going to suggest several things to check. For one I BET your salt Is sky high and not calibrated correctly. Bet you the coral that other fool is pushing on you to rush this build salt is high. That would explain it all.
With that said every idea given to you by others was shut down with “ but store is 40 min away” this hobby is expensive and your rushing everything and clearly did not do your research. You can’t start this and not do it right. If your not willing to drive 40 min to make sure the single most important part of your new tank is correct (water) then for sure nothing you do setting this up will work.
Calibrate the refractometer with calibration fluid and report back so we can start there.

 

[homer1475]

What I would do assuming you have a sump......

Make as much water in buckets as you can(doesn't need to have salt in it right now), Empty the tank, fill it back up woith RO/DI, start dumping salt into the sump with the system running.

It will mix up the salt for you. Your sandbed is fine, and as lkong as the salt is added to the sump, it won't stay in the sand.

 

[GpixL_]

I have to say this is very frustrating, I was going to suggest several things to check. For one I BET your salt Is sky high and not calibrated correctly. Bet you the coral that other fool is pushing on you to rush this build salt is high. That would explain it all.
With that said every idea given to you by others was shut down with “ but store is 40 min away” this hobby is expensive and your rushing everything and clearly did not do your research. You can’t start this and not do it right. If your not willing to drive 40 min to make sure the single most important part of your new tank is correct (water) then for sure nothing you do setting this up will work.
Calibrate the refractometer with calibration fluid and report back so we can start there.

As I said before, im fine to drive and said was even going to do it today. And we are talking about getting RODI water from a sink. How did we get to getting 50 gallons of water from LFS?

 

[GpixL_]

What I would do assuming you have a sump......

Make as much water in buckets as you can(doesn't need to have salt in it right now), Empty the tank, fill it back up woith RO/DI, start dumping salt into the sump with the system running.

It will mix up the salt for you. Your sandbed is fine, and as lkong as the salt is added to the sump, it won't stay in the sand.

Ok I guess I will try to do that.

 

[homer1475]

As I said before, im fine to drive and said was even going to do it today. And we are talking about getting RODI water from a sink. How did we get to getting 50 gallons of water from LFS?

Unfortunately if your going to be a part of these boards, you need a thick skin.

The poster is not wrong, but just a little hostile in his post.

 

[GpixL_]

Unfortunately if your going to be a part of these boards, you need a thick skin.

The poster is not wrong, but just a little hostile in his post.

Oh I know. Thanks for helping

 

[homer1475]

Honestly, first thing first.

GET THAT REFRACTOMETER CALIBRATED PROPERLY, AND TEST THE SALINITY.

Then lets go from there.

 

[GpixL_]

Honestly, first thing first.

GET THAT REFRACTOMETER CALIBRATED PROPERLY, AND TEST THE SALINITY.

Then lets go from there.

ok will do.