In over my head!!

[Shawnct]

I'm writing this for some input.. good bad. The ugly... any and all input is appreciated.
Here's some info about my setup
I have a 60 gallon tank with a 30 sump. My original plan was to do a fwlro tank but I think I got bit by the coral bug. I love the look and started my journey. I replaced all ornaments which was lava rock and some decor with 65 lbs of life rock and 7 lbs of live. I took the 8 lbs of live rock out of the original tank and switched it to the sump. I then started to add some "hardy" coral. I don't know the names but was told these ones were for beginners. I got some zoa, green leather, and star polyps. And 4 I don't know the names of. My tank is fully stocked with 7-fish. From a clown to a tobacco basslet. I have two condylactis anemones.

My problem is my levels seem to be fluctuating so much. My ph drops all the time, my kh is way out of whack at a 23. My corals do not seem to be doing well at all and I'm not sure my lighting is enough with the current USA orbit. I feel I'm way in over my head and would appreciate some advice. I do use a Rodi system as well.

 

[Shawnct]

Here's some levels

Ph 7.8
Nitrite 0
Ammonia 0
Nitrate 5
Kh 21
Calcium 340
Phosphate can't tell because of cheap api kit.. very slight color

I use the api saltwater kit for the
Ph nitrate nitrite and ammonia. I did have the api reef master kit but returned it after allergen bad reviews. I then just ordered the sali fert calcium alkalinity and magnesium. Everyone says for phosphate get the Hannah checker but with having 3 kids and just at spending over 500 on the tank it's hard to justify it to the wife. So I was thinking the seachem phosphate kit..

 

[NowGlazeIT]

What salt are you using?
How long since your last water change?
What is your maintenance schedule?

You need to find stability and for me that starts with routine maintenance

 

[Joe Batt]

How did you get the Kh so high? Are you dosing Kh? If so stop..... let it fall t0 around 8dKh

 

[NowGlazeIT]

That kh seems like a test error it’s so high @Randy Holmes-Farley

 

[Maggie321]

What water are you using? RODI?

 

[RedSox81]

That kh seems like a test error it’s so high @Randy Holmes-Farley

I have to agree

 

[PatW]

I have to agree

It is hard to go wrong agreeing with Randy.

I don’t see how it can be a 23 DKH. Salt mixes range from 8 - 14 at 1.025. So if you mixed it up, it could not be any where near that high. The only way you coukd get it that high would be to add a pot load of ALK. Dosing like that is not something a rookie is likely to do.

It would be a good idea to take a sample of the water to a LFS or an experienced reefer (appropriately bribed with a 6 pack or what ever) and see what they come up with.

The Salifert test kits are good and should do you fine.

 

[Shawnct]

I was using the cheap api kit to test the kh. Yes I am using an Rodi system for water. With my ph dropping low I was using seachem marine buffer 8.3

 

[stAlphonzo]

I was using the cheap api kit to test the kh. Yes I am using an Rodi system for water. With my ph dropping low I was using seachem marine buffer 8.3

For what it's worth, I've had lots of trouble with API test kits. For starters, the lines they draw on the vials aren't even correct. I have to grab water with a dropper to get the correct volume. That is on their freshwater kits, but can't imagine the Marine kits are more precise.

 

[5altkreep]

I would stop worrying about ph right now. Provided youre showing no ammonia or nitrite, your biggest concerns should be salinity, temp, alk and calcium. Its easy to really make things out of wack by chasing numbers. For right now Keep It Simple Sir! Also not sure if mentioned, be sure your topping off with freshwater, not salt. Stick to a routine, and be patient.

A quality light would be something worth investing in.

Welcome to R2R, you found a great resource!

 

[Water Dog]

How often and at what volume (each time) do you do water changes?

 

[Shawnct]

I use omega one salt. I do a 15% water change no weekly. But when I noticed the kh high I read up on it and a water change and dosing calcium was recommended. I bought and dosed 15ml of fluval calcium.

 

[Shawnct]

Also my tobacco basset will not stop flashing and that usually tells me my ph is low or something us off. He's been flashing on and off for the last three months.. really heavy right now and my tomato clown has also started. Just totally bummed and can't seem to figure anything out!! Yes I'm topping off with freshwater and when I do a change I match exact temp and salinity. BTW my level is 1.024

 

[RedSox81]

7.8 ph isn’t bad. You are doing cal and alk? You are topping of with RODI or tap water?

 

[Shawnct]

I just started dosing calcium. 15 ml of fluval calcium. Only using Rodi water. Just used my tds meter and got a reading of a 1.

 

[acabgd]

1st suggestion - stop worrying about pH.
2nd suggestion - stop dosing anything

 

[Jesterrace]

For what it's worth, I've had lots of trouble with API test kits. For starters, the lines they draw on the vials aren't even correct. I have to grab water with a dropper to get the correct volume. That is on their freshwater kits, but can't imagine the Marine kits are more precise.

API although okay for freshwater are bottom of the barrel IMHO for Saltwater. Being an odd duck and starting with saltwater first and then trying freshwater recently, I can say that if Red Sea ever did a Freshwater kit, I would kick the API to the curb. Horribly inaccurate for Nitrates, cheap plastic caps that leak while you shake them, no syringe for easy removal and measurement and the vials are so skinny they are virtually impossible to wipe down properly after you are done with the test.

 

[Dickeybrazil]

Welcome

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Agreed with the recommendation to stop dosing for pH. 7.8 is still within acceptable range. Also agree with the recommendation to get a different test kit. API is good for cycling a tank, but not much else IME.