Kipp's Coral's

[Katrina71]

I figured just wanted to make sure!

What are you thinking of adding first?

 

[tbrown]

Redid all of them today, what do you think?

Ammonia looks 0, Nitrite is lowish.

 

[tbrown]

Should a water change be performed before adding first round of livestock?

I wouldn't. Doing a water change now potentially stalls the nitrification.

 

[SudzFD]

Redid all of them today, what do you think?

This is looking good. Looks like it’s close. People often forget that there are both multiple kinds of bacteria that are part of the cycle. When ammonia is being converted but Nitrite is not (or not as well) it is typically due to one of these bacteria’s being inadequate. They don’t necessarily grow their populations equally.

So all that to say your bacteria is coming along. I’d be comfortable adding a fish or two.

 

[Kipp's Corals]

Good afternoon everyone, my livestock has been in for about 5 days now. Clowns are pairing nicely and started eating on day 2. I have (2) clownfish (1) turbo snail, (1) cleaner shrimp, which I spent way too much on lol, (1) brittle star, honestly has been my favorite. I am liking the invertebrates more than my clowns lol.

I have been feeding the brittle star small shrimp every other day and might decrease it to once a week now. I read that it helps to make sure he is fed so he won't go after the livestock.


Ammonia: 0.25 or less
Nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrate: 5ppm
DKH: 6
ph: have to test still.

How long should I wait before performing first 10-15% water change? at this stage is calcium,magnesium, phosphate and DKH important?

 

[fishguy242]

wait for water change until needed, get alk up 8+
IMO ,Yes phos ,cal,dkh ,important from here on out ...

 

[Kipp's Corals]

wait for water change until needed, get alk up 8+
IMO ,Yes phos ,cal,dkh ,important from here on out ...

What are some non invasive, if any, that I can increase ALK up without adjusting pH levels. of course, I will verify my pH before doing anything. From general healthcare knowledge, I know that the water might be a little acidic right now because of the lower ALK levels but if the pH is still stable I don't want to swing that to much. I think thats how I lost my betta (granted, I didn't perform a water change in a year :')

I assume I could consider a smaller water change with my coral pro salt to increase those levels , depending on the cal, mag, etc.

Chat soon, cheers!

 

[fishguy242]

Kalk , baking soda, without WC's
best to get tests , need to know where cal is sitting before doing WC ,possibly raising cal too much

 

[Kipp's Corals]

Kalk , baking soda, without WC's
best to get tests , need to know where cal is sitting before doing WC ,possibly raising cal too much

ill post in depth results tonight. thank you

 

[tbrown]

I agree. Baking Soda is cheap and easy. Kalk as well.

 

[ESABOE]

wait for water change until needed, get alk up 8+
IMO ,Yes phos ,cal,dkh ,important from here on out ...

Frank is the Man! Always take his advice; except maybe on how many logs to add to outdoor fire pit when tired. Hehe.

 

[tbrown]

Frank is the Man! Always take his advice; except maybe on how many logs to add to outdoor fire pit when tired. Hehe.

No, that's one of his top subjects!

 

[ESABOE]

No, that's one of his top subjects!

When the pups haven’t worn him out - silly Timber!

 

[Kipp's Corals]

Retested** my dkh today

5.3dkh with a pH of 8.0.

Converted baking soda into soda ash @ 400 degrees for one hour and dosed with the formula.
.5teaspoons per 50 gallon. Used light dosing to see what .5 increments would raise me.

went from 5.3 to 5.9 in about an hour, will see what the 16 hour mark reads after I get out of work tonight.

Calcium is elevated 546 still so I don't need to 2 part.

chat soon!

 

[Kipp's Corals]

UGHHHH I used soda ash to increase my DKH. Well I overdosed and went from 5.9 to 20!!!!!!!

I don’t have time for a water change for 24 hours. Should I expect fish and invert death?

Rookie mistake

 

[tbrown]

The good news is we don't get better if we don't make rookie mistakes. Hopefully losses are either minimal or non-existent!

 

[tbrown]

Did you double check the reading?

 

[Kipp's Corals]

Did you double check the reading?

yeah :/ I knew something was off when the color was originally green and then blue after adding. i'm on a 24 so I can't do a water change until tomorrow night after 7pm.

 

[tbrown]

How much soda ash did you add?

 

[Kipp's Corals]

How much soda ash did you add?

I went with Randy's Recipe.

I would say about a cup to 2 cups. I have the mix in a gallon jug and poured it in quickly. There was a quick rush of cloudy water then it settled out within 2 minutes or so. I knew not to add the entire gallon at once. Once I saw the milky cloud I was like dang.