Its impossible (parameter issues)

Bradsreeeftank · Mar 25, 2014

So i decided to test my 10 gallon i just started on sunday am results were this: Mag

ver 1600
Alk: over 14 dkh
calc: 490
This has to be impossible, i used exact amount of instant ocean salt as it said! I used red sea test kit, to test this. Which im not a fan of at all btw.

Bradsreeeftank · Mar 25, 2014

No one nos?

thormx · Mar 25, 2014

What's your salinity?

Bradsreeeftank · Mar 25, 2014

1.021

thormx · Mar 25, 2014

Is that measured or what it should be according to the instructions? And how did you measure?

Bradsreeeftank · Mar 25, 2014

measure with hydrometer, im more worried about alk,calc and mag

fasiczka · Mar 25, 2014

That doesnt sound right maybe you have a bad test kit. I heard something about Red Sea recalling some of their test kits

Bradsreeeftank · Mar 25, 2014

If i got a bad one, theyll be getting a nice message from me!

evolved · Mar 25, 2014

Your hydrometer can't be right; the salinity is higher than you think (which also explains the test results).

If you assumed the tank truly contained 10 gallons, you likely used too much salt. The actual water volume will be less, acounting for the interior dimensions, rock/sand.

Bradsreeeftank · Mar 25, 2014

But i went with direction on the salt box. So the directions arnt right?

evolved · Mar 25, 2014

They probably are, but how much water did you assume was in the tank?

kschweer · Mar 25, 2014

How did you measure your salt?

Bradsreeeftank · Mar 25, 2014

10 gallons, and measured with a cup
I see what you mean evolve but how do i lower salt if its cycling?

thormx · Mar 25, 2014

Your parameters indicate high salinity, maybe try another hydrometer, or refractometer if you can

kschweer · Mar 25, 2014

May be a dumb question but did you use a dry measuring cup or one for liquids?

evolved · Mar 25, 2014

You'd have to remove some water and simply replace it with RODI (no salt added). But you need something you can accurately measure salinity with in order to know where you're at.

I'm guessing your actual water volume is in the neighborhood of ~9 gallons.

Bradsreeeftank · Mar 25, 2014

So i should take out about a gallon of water and replace with ro? Uh! This is not a good way to start my tank );

beaslbob · Mar 25, 2014

I wouldn't worry.

that calcium, alk, magneium will all come down after a few weeks.

my .02

gregoryleonard · Mar 25, 2014

if you are cycling your tank, don't worry about it. you shouldn't have any corals in there anyway. what is your concern at the moment? Take a water sample to your reliable LFS and have them run the tests for you. Salinity, amonia, Nitrate, Nitrite, Phosphate. you can also have them test for AK, CA, and MG. post results here so folks can help you out.

Bradsreeeftank · Mar 25, 2014

Ok, my rush is I half to get this tank stable and ready before I go on cruise because the tank the corals are in is not doing good the lights are too bright and are making my water very hot so I don't trust leaving my carpal a week in that tank.