My hammers wont open all the way!!!

[Mike628]

@joshkirkland83 I usually do a water change on friday nights. Should I do one tonight?

 

[joshkirkland83]

@joshkirkland83 I usually do a water change on friday nights. Should I do one tonight?

I wouldnt bud. Lets see what your water tests say first.

 

[Mike628]

Ok man @joshkirkland83

 

[eliramos]

so i kindve skimmed over this whole thread i have a euphylia dominated bio-cube. i saw a lot of retention from my torches, hammers etc when i removed my skimmer. the reason was because the bubbles from the skimmer where keeping my ph in balance for me. i tried the buffer but you have to continually dose and then maintain and that was too much work for so all i did was buy a little air stone and toss it in my back filter and bam everything was fine! didn't have to dose any chemicals or anything they perked up the next day! just my own experience good luck!

 

[Mike628]

Thank you @eliramos

 

[Mike628]

@joshkirkland83 Here are the results

Salinity: 24

Calcium: 300

Alkalinity: 8.4

pH: 8.2

Nitrate: 10

 

[joshkirkland83]

@joshkirkland83 Here are the results

Salinity: 24

Calcium: 300

Alkalinity: 8.4

pH: 8.2

Nitrate: 10

Better than i expected. Whats phosphate and mag?

 

[Mike628]

Better than i expected. Whats phosphate and mag?

He did not test for those. Hes only been open a few months. I dont think he had those.

 

[joshkirkland83]

He did not test for those. Hes only been open a few months. I dont think he had those.

Oh lawd. Well from whats been tested, you gotta get that calcium up. And your mag needs to be 3.25 x your calcium target. You cant do any of that without tests. So i wouldnt get anymore coral until you can get a good test kit and refractometer.

 

[Mike628]

Ok thank you @joshkirkland83

 

[Mike628]

@joshkirkland83 So if I get these two will that be everything I need?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00BA...a+test+kit&dpPl=1&dpID=51p9fc1y5mL&ref=plSrch

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004F...a+test+kit&dpPl=1&dpID=51NowLsdZGL&ref=plSrch

 

[joshkirkland83]

@joshkirkland83 So if I get these two will that be everything I need?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00BA...a+test+kit&dpPl=1&dpID=51p9fc1y5mL&ref=plSrch

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004F...a+test+kit&dpPl=1&dpID=51NowLsdZGL&ref=plSrch

Thats a great start. Just need a phosphate test.

 

[Mike628]

So I need all that plus phosphate? What do I need to test phosphate for?

 

[joshkirkland83]

So I need all that plus phosphate? What do I need to test phosphate for?

Phosphate and nitrate go hand in hand. You need to keep them balanced.

 

[Mike628]

So what do I need to get for phosphate?

 

[joshkirkland83]

I like the salifert test. Its easy and quicker than red sea and reliable.

 

[Mike628]

Ok man. So if I get all of that will that be everything I need?

 

[joshkirkland83]

As far as tests, yes.

 

[Mike628]

Dang man thats a lot. If I cant get all of them. Which test kit should I go with first?

 

[joshkirkland83]

Dang man thats a lot. If I cant get all of them. Which test kit should I go with first?

Sorry, settin up QT. Got some new fish comin tomorrow. Which test? Thats a hard one. Id say the red sea mg,alk,ca.