sent my water away to them...fast results...the problem is there results are WAY diffrent than any home test kit i have used mainly (cal, Alk)...posted results on local forum and a few other hobbiest have said the same thing about the CAL and ALK...just wondering what my peeps on R2R think???
*These values represent only the amount of free calcium ions present in the samples. According to Randy Holmes-Farley, the
total calcium concentration can be 10% to 20% higher.
Tested: 298 mg/L
(LOW) Your calcium level is too low. We recommend using a commercial calcium additive to
raise this level. There are several methods for doing this. Calcium is a critical parameter for
coral growth in reef aquariums, and chronically low levels will cause coral mortality and loss
of coralline algae and other invertebrate species.
(LOW) Your boron level is too low. We recommend performing a water change, and
possibly the addition of a commercial buffer containing borate salts. Boron is an important
part of the water buffering capacity, and a lack of boron can lead to dangerous fluctuations
in pH and alkalinity.
(GOOD) Your molybdenum level is within the recommended range. Molybdenum is found
in many common additives and at highly elevated levels in most salt mixes and so a vast
majority of reef tanks demonstrate a level 10 to 50 times higher than natural levels. 0.12
mg/L is the upper toxicity limit for Molybdenum, the point at which negative effects can
begin to manifest themselves. Your level is below this limit and is in proximity to natural
sea water values. Molybdenum is important to microbial activity in the aquarium filter, and
may also be important to stony coral health and reproduction.
(GOOD) Your strontium level is within the recommended range. We recommend continuing
with your current additive schedules. Strontium is important to coral growth, as they
incorporate strontium ions into their skeletal mass, particularly SPS corals. It is also
important to coralline algae growth.
(GOOD) Your magnesium level is within the recommended range. We recommend staying
with your current water change and additive schedule. Magnesium is a very important part
of the water buffering system, and is incorporated into coral skeletons. It is also critical to
any photosynthetic processes.
(HIGH) Your iodine level is too high. We recommend a reduction in chemical additives
containing iodine. You may also wish to reduce the feeding of any shellfish-type, or redalgae
based feeds, and increase protein skimming. Iodine is known to be required by many
soft corals, marine macro algae, and is a component of many of the colorful pigments in
stony corals. Iodide is a strong oxidizer however, and an overabundance can damage coral
tissues, and has been implicated in algal blooms.
(HIGH) Your copper level is too high. We recommend the use of activated carbon to reduce
this level. You should also use only RO/DI water for make-up/top-off water, as most copper
that gets into tanks comes from copper water pipes in the home. It is also an ingredient in
many fish medications. Copper is an important trace mineral for metabolic processes in
many marine organisms. However, levels above 0.05 are toxic to almost all invertebrates
and some fish species.
(LOW) Your alkalinity level is too low. We recommend the addition of a commercial buffer
designed to raise alkalinity. You may also wish to perform a partial water change to help
correct this issue. Maintaining correct alkalinity levels is critical to corals, as well as any
shelled invertebrates, including snails, clams, etc.
Alk uses many different units of measure. I presume you are aware of that.
Both alk and pH can vary some through the day as carbon dioxide levels change. Possibly also as the test sample is in shipment to the testing facility.
That said it looks like both calcium and alk are low so you might look into the diy 2 part methods.
What was your test values? (sorry if I skimmed over that).
14K is like the 50/50 in the lighting term it will give you both color and growth but slow in gowth and not intense color, supplimenting them with additional lighting can promote growth and color like T5 actinic 454mn, purple for color and red & 10K for growth just my $0.02
