I need a little help

Connie · Jan 28, 2013

I tested my water just now and got the following: PH - 7.64 (Hanna); ALK - 143 (Hanna); Calcium - 483 (Hanna); Phosphates .97 (Hanna); Salinity 1.26(refractometer) ; 77.7 degrees; nitrates 40 (Seachem); Magnesium 1140 (salifert) I just dosed some magnesium. Can I treat for more than one thing at a time? One of my Acan colonies is melting. Would it hurt anything to put some Chemipure Elite in? I do use KZ Coral Snow, Pohls Xtra, Sponge Power, Coral Vitalizer and LPS. I didn't know if there would be a negative reaction between the Chemipure and the KZ. My tank is just a hot mess and any advice or criticisms will be welcomed!

danka-cedium · Jan 28, 2013

Is the phosphate reading.97 ppm? .03 p04 (phosphate) is enough to slow/stop coral growth. also your calcium seems high and alk seems low, as well as ph being low. what supplements are you using for cal alk and mag?

always reefin · Jan 28, 2013

Are you doing water changes? What salt are you using?

Connie · Jan 28, 2013

I never add calcium other than what it gets from weekly dose of Salifert All in One and water changes. I haven't dosed the All in One in a while because of the high calcium. I have been using Brightwell's Alkalin 8.3. I use Brightwell's Magnesion. Can I dose both of those at the same time? Yes, the PO4 is reading .97. Would Chemipure Elite help? I have a Polyfilter I could use if that would be better. I just am not experienced enough to know exactly what to do.

Connie · Jan 28, 2013

always reefin said:
Are you doing water changes? What salt are you using?

Reef Crystals and I do a water change bi-weekly.

always reefin · Jan 28, 2013

You need to lower phosphates, that is not a range to keep corals healthy

danka-cedium · Jan 28, 2013

I dont know what that chemi pure stuff is. But i would get some good old gfo granular ferric oxide -this lwers phosphates, all you need is a reactor, or media bag filled placed in a medium flow spot like under a drain. Also i dont know about a all in one cal alk mag supplement.

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Connie · Jan 28, 2013

Thank you Danka and Always. Chemipure is a carbon/gfo mixture. I have put some under the drain and hopefully it will help. I'm thinking I should install a reactor for the long run. I appreciate your help.

Budman's Corals · Jan 28, 2013

Connie said:
Thank you Danka and Always. Chemipure is a carbon/gfo mixture. I have put some under the drain and hopefully it will help. I'm thinking I should install a reactor for the long run. I appreciate your help.

i got the dual one from BRS and its done wonders.my phospate is now below .03, which i also cut back on feeding the fish..but the gfo does really work..

Connie · Jan 28, 2013

budman said:
i got the dual one from BRS and its done wonders.my phospate is now below .03, which i also cut back on feeding the fish..but the gfo does really work..

I'll check it out. Thanks Bud.

Slickwill613 · Jan 28, 2013

Connie said:
Thank you Danka and Always. Chemipure is a carbon/gfo mixture. I have put some under the drain and hopefully it will help. I'm thinking I should install a reactor for the long run. I appreciate your help.

I know a lot of people will disagree but, I think CPE is a total waste of money. You can separately bag Carbon and GFO and get the same results for a lot less $.

Terrie · Jan 28, 2013

I also bought the dual GFO reactor from Bulk Reef Supply... it has done wonders!! Just a tip though.. if you decide to purchase one I would not get it with the MJ1200 as it suggests. It does not seem to have enough power to turn the GFO like it should. I ended up buying the Mag Drive 3

Budman's Corals · Jan 28, 2013

Connie said:
I'll check it out. Thanks Bud.

If u can tee off your return pump its little cheaper rather then buying the maxi jet..

Good luck and keep us posted.. Them phosphates are really high..

danka-cedium · Jan 28, 2013

I have 2- two little fishes 150 reactors if your interested, they need a good vinegar bath. Pm me if interested.

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Budman's Corals · Jan 28, 2013

Terrie said:
I also bought the dual GFO reactor from Bulk Reef Supply... it has done wonders!! Just a tip though.. if you decide to purchase one I would not get it with the MJ1200 as it suggests. It does not seem to have enough power to turn the GFO like it should. I ended up buying the Mag Drive 3

well it depends on how much gfo your using..im using 2 1/2 cups(which is almost to the max and using the MJ1200.. dont want the gfo tumbling to much or it will grind it to death..also after i flush it I always take the foam pad out and clean it put it back in ,it catches so much fine stuff the first minute running and if u leave that in there it will have low flow...so i just use the pad at the top ..Is that how u run it with a foam pad at the top?

Budman's Corals · Jan 28, 2013

danka-cedium said:
I have 2- two little fishes 150 reactors if your interested, they need a good vinegar bath. Pm me if interested.

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thats a good little reactor..I had one of my 75...till i switched to the dual

Connie · Jan 28, 2013

Slickwill613 said:
I know a lot of people will disagree but, I think CPE is a total waste of money. You can separately bag Carbon and GFO and get the same results for a lot less $.

I'm all about saving some money! What do you get?

danka-cedium · Jan 28, 2013

go to bulkreefsupply, they sell gac, and gfo. thats whats i use.

Terrie · Jan 29, 2013

budman said:
well it depends on how much gfo your using..im using 2 1/2 cups(which is almost to the max and using the MJ1200.. dont want the gfo tumbling to much or it will grind it to death..also after i flush it I always take the foam pad out and clean it put it back in ,it catches so much fine stuff the first minute running and if u leave that in there it will have low flow...so i just use the pad at the top ..Is that how u run it with a foam pad at the top?

I started out using 2 1/2 cups (the max) then I changed it to 1 cup, I have the foam pad at the top only. With that I get good flow but it stops within a couple of days and the water flow through the unit is very slow. I should've stated I bought the Mag 3 on customer reviews but it just came in and have not yet hooked it up.

Budman's Corals · Jan 29, 2013

Terrie said:
I started out using 2 1/2 cups (the max) then I changed it to 1 cup, I have the foam pad at the top only. With that I get good flow but it stops within a couple of days and the water flow through the unit is very slow. I should've stated I bought the Mag 3 on customer reviews but it just came in and have not yet hooked it up.

how much carbon do u use.I use rox8.0 which is only a cup in my 120