Advice needed....

rider6 · Jun 19, 2013

So I did my first reef test today....and kind of have an idea of what's going on but would like some of your 2 cents on the situation.... here's my numbers

So my kh and cal are low for a reef...so I will be needing advice on how to add to these... and my ni is alil elevated...I think I over feed alil much...easy fix.

Biocube 29, with 50lbs live rock, got a 2headed duncan, a gsp, and a sun coral....

Sent Via the R2R Forum APP

Mike J. · Jun 19, 2013

Seems to me that water changes would correct your numbers. Here's some links for you: https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/reef-chemistry-forum/123384-advice-needed.html Calcium/Alkalinity Balance Calculator Marinedepot.com | Reef Tank Parameters

rider6 · Jun 20, 2013

Thanks for the info mike, but its kinda of confuseing me... I don't get the calculator.... so if I put in my cal....then it will tell me what I need in kh to ballance?

Sent Via the R2R Forum APP

Mike J. · Jun 20, 2013

You can put in your ca or alk and it will tell you what your other number should be close to. On the other link if your numbers are in the red box your good to go.

bct15 · Jun 20, 2013

Your calcium and alk are actually not that bad... Right now I believe you can maintain your parameters just with water changes. Some suggestions

Find out what the calcium and alk are in you freshly mixed salt water (this is the highest any parameter should get get if you continue to use this salt), then see how big of a change a water change can do by doing a test before and after a complete water change. If you stay within the respective limits for alk, cal, and mag before and after a water change stick with that regimen.

Once you start to see your parameters go down even with regular water changes, you will need to start daily dosing...I don't think your there yet though.

Edit: I see your alk is a little low, if it is sill low after a water change then you can start addin just a little bit at a time to get to where you need. When making adjustments to one parameter don't dose the other ones. Just add what you need, but do it slowly... Like 0.5 dkh a day. Focus on getting one thing at a time, and everything will fall into place smoothly.

Sent Via the R2R Forum APP

DSP · Jun 20, 2013

Agreed your waterchanges will take care of it for ya right now

glb · Jun 20, 2013

Agree that any dosing should be very gradual. Ca and alk numbers are affected by each other. I'm still working on figuring all of this out. : )

Sent Via the R2R Forum APP
12g Nanoreef. Zooanthids, Ricordia, Star Polyps, Acans and two clownfish. CF Lighting, 75% actinic blue, 25% 10,000k white.

Reefing Madness · Jun 20, 2013

Throw in some Calcion using directions, then throw in some Baking Soda, done deal. You won't need alot of either one. Me, for such a small tank, I'd just dose. But being as your have some elevation in NI, a simple water change will take care of this. But it would all depend on where you want those numbers at. 25% is not going to move them much. 50% will take the NI numbers in half. But I don't even think that is very high. So, its really your call. CA and ALK definately need to come up though.
Or use Randal Farleys 2 part home made mix.
An Improved Do-it-Yourself Two-Part Calcium and Alkalinity Supplement System by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com