How to correct water parameters

utb5518 · Apr 15, 2021

These are my current water parameters
Ph- will no even register with high PH solution
Ammonia-0
Nitrite- 0
Nitrates- 10ppm
Calcium- 560
KH- 179 ppm
Phosphates- 8ppm

I am running a 125g reef tank and fish tank.

prdubois · Apr 15, 2021

small water changes like 10%

Philly Reefer · Apr 15, 2021

My 1st suggestion, get a ph probe and better test kit.
I doubt your Phosphate is 8ppm.. even 0.8ppm is too high
What test kits are you using?
How old is your tank?

Mr. Mojo Rising · Apr 15, 2021

Water changes....

utb5518 · Apr 15, 2021

Philly Reefer said:
My 1st suggestion, get a ph probe and better test kit.
I doubt your Phosphate is 8ppm.. even 0.8ppm is too high
What test kits are you using?
How old is your tank?

I am using a an api saltwater and reef master kit.

utb5518 · Apr 15, 2021

prdubois said:
small water changes like 10%

So 10% should be adequate?

utb5518 · Apr 15, 2021

LordofCinder said:
Water changes....

How much?

Philly Reefer · Apr 15, 2021

utb5518 said:
I am using a an api saltwater and reef master kit.

Yeah... before you do anything. Get a better test kit.

Get a pH probe for getting your ph. Much easier and more accurate.

These are what I use:
I have Apex to monitor my pH
Hanna for Alk and ULR Phosphorus
Salifert Nitrate
Redsea Calcium
Aquaforest Magnesium

thatmanMIKEson · Apr 15, 2021

Philly Reefer said:
Yeah... before you do anything. Get a better test kit.

Get a pH probe for getting your ph. Much easier and more accurate.

These are what I use:
I have Apex to monitor my pH
Hanna for Alk and ULR Phosphorus
Salifert Nitrate
Redsea Calcium
Aquaforest Magnesium

how do you like the aquaforest mag test i use the salifert looking for something better, i wish hanna made something.... im looking for a new mag test

Philly Reefer · Apr 15, 2021

thatmanMIKEson said:
how do you like the aquaforest mag test i use the salifert looking for something better, i wish hanna made something.... im looking for a new mag test

Aquaforest and salifert have almost the same steps. So it's not that much different.

What makes the difference for me is the Aqua smart stirrer. Now I don't need to shake it myself

Mr. Mojo Rising · Apr 16, 2021

utb5518 said:
How much?

as much as it takes to bring the phosphates down to normal levels. Water changes = nutrient removal. The more water you change, the more nutrients you remove. I do anywhere from 10%-30% weekly.

Screwgunner · Apr 21, 2021

I have a 125 and I use phosguard with charcoal in a two little fishies reactor to keep my phosphates down and water clear. 7 table spoons carbon and 2 3erds cup phosguard it is only good for 4 days but I leave it in for a week and change both. When my phosphates get to .02 I only run half the phosguard. And test mothly with hanna ultra low phosphate checker. I use a buffer to keep my ph at 8.3 alk stays at 10 with IO . I run a algea turff scrubber. With 13 fish 0 ammonia 0 nitrites 0 nitrates well close to 0. Instant ocean is close to natural seawater so thats what I stick to.

IL613 · Apr 22, 2021

utb5518 said:
These are my current water parameters
Ph- will no even register with high PH solution
Ammonia-0
Nitrite- 0
Nitrates- 10ppm
Calcium- 560
KH- 179 ppm
Phosphates- 8ppm

I am running a 125g reef tank and fish tank.

Small (10-20%) water changes with RO/DI water, or at least using a good salt mix. A better test kit might help too. Good luck!