Just tested my water

[John_A]

All for these tests are Salifart What do I need to change and how? I know I need to up my phosphate but can this be adjusted via turning off the skimmer for a little and feed more? I use BeneReef

Nitrates 10


Phosphate 0


ALK 15.7


Mag 1470


Cal 470

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Is that alk reading correct???

 

[PharmrJohn]

How big is your tank and how old is it? Also, are you running FOWLR, or mixed reef (Softies, LPS, SPS doninant)?

Edit: Yeah, saw that ALK as well.

 

[John_A]

Is that alk reading correct???

It should be I do plan on retesting just in case all I currently does is All for Reef

 

[John_A]

How big is your tank and how old is it? Also, are you running FOWLR, or mixed reef (Softies, LPS, SPS doninant)?

Edit: Yeah, saw that ALK as well.

40 Breeder 20 tall sump 4+ years running mixed reef but currently stocked Nem, Duncans,Blastos,Candy Canes,Hammer

 

[GARRIGA]

It should be I do plan on retesting just in case all I currently does is All for Reef

Do you have corals that will utilize AFR otherwise just going to raise alkalinity.

Never-mind. Posted before you posted the inhabitants.

 

[John_A]

About to retest now to be sure will update in a minute

 

[John_A]

Retested not sure of anyone knows about the Salifart Alk kit but I added the whole 1.0 ml of regent it would change color when hit for a second then go back to blue a 0.00 reading shows 15.7 but a full color change never happened

 

[John_A]

So the only things being dosed is All for Reef 9 ml I was Carbon dosing with Vinegar for a few weeks stopped that Wed Now only new thing dosed is Nitrate to get everything balanced When I was dosing the vinegar would that have any reaction to the Alk?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I’d stop dosing AFR. If the alk is even close to correct, the dose was too high.

What is the salinity? Measured how?

Phosphate may be too low. It’s measured how?

 

[John_A]

ALK and Phosphate tests are Salifart

Salinity 1.026 measured with a Refractometer

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

ALK and Phosphate tests are Salifart

Salinity 1.026 measured with a Refractometer

Which refractometer and how did you calibrate it?

The magnesium seems too high to just be an AFR overdose, but may also be inaccurate.

 

[Uncle99]

4+ year tank with zero phosphate?
Salifert very very hard to tell any change at all.
You can bump that a tad, but Hanna phosphate or phosphorus checker helps me a ton manage that number.

 

[John_A]

It's a ATC off Amazon I can get more specifics about it when I get back home I also used your calibrate liquid some other info that might help I'm not sure but I have not done a water change in like 3 years just top off I've always used Instant Ocean the purple bag and other then some algae everything seems to be thriving

 

[John_A]

4+ year tank with zero phosphate?
Salifert very very hard to tell any change at all.
You can bump that a tad, but Hanna phosphate or phosphorus checker helps me a ton manage that number.

I'm sure I have some phosphate due to having algae but the test was as clear as water

 

[Justdrew]

It's a ATC off Amazon I can get more specifics about it when I get back home I also used your calibrate liquid some other info that might help I'm not sure but I have not done a water change in like 3 years just top off I've always used Instant Ocean the purple bag and other then some algae everything seems to be thriving

If you haven't done a water change in 3 years you should not be using any salt.

 

[John_A]

If you haven't done a water change in 3 years you should not be using any salt.

I'm not I was just saying what was originally used on new water that goes in is fresh rodi via ATO

 

[John_A]

Refractometer

 

[John_A]

Current tank shot

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Refractometer

If you calibrate it with a quality 35 ppt solution, it should be accurate enough.