Newbie dilemma & question

[Aquanuty]

Hi All, I'm Aquanuty, and I'm a newbie
I'm feeling a little insecure right now, all of you seem to be so knowledgable.
But everyone started out as a newbie at one time or another, so please be patient if I sound at little dumb.
I love my new hobby, I'm obsessed, and I'm learning a lot more each day.
My tank is a 46 gallon bow front, I don't have a sump or an overflow tank, I have a Vecton UV sterilizer and a EHEIM Professional 3 filter, my lighting is by Aquaticlife, and it consists of 4- T5 VHO & 2 lunar lights.
I've already acquired quite a few peaceful fish, shrimp, and corals, both soft and hard.
I have a dilemma, that I'm hoping you can help me with and a question I hope you can answer.
My dilemma: PH is low (7.8) alkalinity is high, though I don't have the exact number, I had my water tested at the LFS and only was told it was "very" high, I don't have the exact number. Everything in the tank looks pretty good, though my green mushrooms (striped) are not as open as they had been and my Pulsing Xenia, though its never actually pulsed its always been extended out fully flowing with the current, now though it's wrapped up like a little ball.....help! What should I do?
The other parameters that I can measure are: specific gravity 1.0235 (just under 1.024) ammonia is 0ppm, Nitrite 0ppm, Nitrate 5ppm. Last night I did a 20% water change and cleaned the filter. I have been adding Aquavitro OH balance for reefs, the hydroxide blend (and within the last 4 weeks I have used almost the whole bottle 11.8oz) and I can't get the PH to come up (highest it has ever been is 8.0-lowest is 7.6) I have tried opening the windows, I've even tried leaving the lid open. I've also tried adding about 1 capful of Aquavitro Iodine, but saw no change.
I think it was fine with a lower PH, though i never knew the alkalinity was high (I can't test for that) I think my red flag went up because the pulsing Xenia started to get cranky, and I've been told (many times) that a Xenia is the best indicator that something is going on.... My tank is only 3 months old, I didn't have any problems the 1st couple of months, but about a month ago I switched from the Instant Ocean salt in the purple packaging to the Instant Ocean in the orange packaging, the one that adds magnesium and calcium (could that be causing the problem?)

My Question: I love anemones, I have 3; a neon green bubble tip, a red bubble tip, and a white bubble tip. I would like a few more, I still have a few more overhangs and/or caves. My question is how far apart should they be kept? Or can they be kept side because they are the same species?
Thanks! that's all for now....

 

[beaslbob]

add macro algaes and watch ph just before lights out rise rapidily.

I recommend you maintain calcium, alk, magnesium with the dr randy holmes-farley diy 2 part system.

I fear your anemones may be for more advanced people. But that could be because I'm not all that advanced. LOL


my .02

 

[Spendley]

I am also a newbie, but have heard that anems should be introduced to an established aquarium of 6+ months. Have also heard that if one dies it can poison and crash your whole tank.

Be careful!!

 

[cdness]

Your PH is fine... Stability is more important than the round 8.0 number.

My best tip to you is get your own test kits and do your own testing. Not only are you in control of the frequency of the test, but you can insure it is done correctly. It also gives you a connection to the numbers and the realization of how your actions change the numbers...

Your high alk issue is due to the addition of hydroxide based buffer. It raises PH and alk at the same time. Stop dosing until it drops to a normal level then dose only as needed to maintain alk, not just to increase PH.

Then read, read, and read some more on R2R to further your knowledge in the hobby. After 6 years I am still reading and learning all the time.

 

[glb]

Your PH is fine... Stability is more important than the round 8.0 number.

My best tip to you is get your own test kits and do your own testing. Not only are you in control of the frequency of the test, but you can insure it is done correctly. It also gives you a connection to the numbers and the realization of how your actions change the numbers...

Your high alk issue is due to the addition of hydroxide based buffer. It raises PH and alk at the same time. Stop dosing until it drops to a normal level then dose only as needed to maintain alk, not just to increase PH.

Then read, read, and read some more on R2R to further your knowledge in the hobby. After 6 years I am still reading and learning all the time.

Excellent advice! I agree that you shouldn't try to raise the ph with buffer because the alk will get too high. My tank runs at 7.8-8.1 and as long as the alk, mg and ca are within normal limits, I'd leave it alone. The more you tinker with the water, the less likely you are to have stability, which is more important than a specific number, within reason. My ph is due to high co2. If that's your issue, another piece of advice I got was to add a co2 scrubber.
I also agree that you should get your own test kit. You'll be able to test at any time and it's a good discipline to develop early on. I used API at first but they're not that accurate. I'm gradually converting to Red Sea and Hanna checkers. You need tests for nitrates, alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, salinity (hydrometer) and ammonia. I have a ph probe now and find it much easier to use. I got a handheld one for $20 and it's very accurate.
Another thing to consider is that your filter might be producing the nitrates. If it's a canister filter (I can't tell), the detritus buildup can be the source of nitrates. Most people these days use protein skimmers for this reason. The canister must be kept very clean if you use it, and with a skimmer you might not even need it.
Don't be afraid to ask any question, no matter how basic you might think it is. We've all been beginners once and are here to help. Let me know if you need more info. Good luck!

 

[Aquanuty]

Wow! Thank you Beaslbob! Spendley! Cdness! & Gib!
I was really afraid no one would answer my post, I guess newbie=insecure
I'm not sure (yet) what macro algeas are, but I'll look into it. I looked up Dr Randy Holmes-Farley, his résumé is very impressive, but I didn't see anything regarding a DIY kit of his. And I have ordered a new set of tests, it's a RedSea Pro multi-test kit that will test for Cal, Mag, and Alk, so I hope to be in good shape, the test that I have is an API and I currently can only test for ammonia, PH, nitrite and nitrate, but next week I'll be in better shape. Lastly what is a CO2 scrubber? Will I need it even with the UV sterilizer?
Thanks again for your responses and support!!!

 

[glb]

Wow! Thank you Beaslbob! Spendley! Cdness! & Gib!
I was really afraid no one would answer my post, I guess newbie=insecure
I'm not sure (yet) what macro algeas are, but I'll look into it. I looked up Dr Randy Holmes-Farley, his résumé is very impressive, but I didn't see anything regarding a DIY kit of his. And I have ordered a new set of tests, it's a RedSea Pro multi-test kit that will test for Cal, Mag, and Alk, so I hope to be in good shape, the test that I have is an API and I currently can only test for ammonia, PH, nitrite and nitrate, but next week I'll be in better shape. Lastly what is a CO2 scrubber? Will I need it even with the UV sterilizer?
Thanks again for your responses and support!!!

A co2 scrubber removes co2 from your system. It usually hooks up to the skimmer and runs air through a medium that removes co2. I honestly don't know much more than that. I asked about it a while ago. Hopefully other people will chime in.

 

[glb]

As far as the uv sterilizer, I have no idea. Lol.

 

[kschweer]

I saw you said you dosed the aquavitro iodine. Are you talking about the one that has the little dropper in the bottle? If so a capful is a lot for a tank your size. I had a 46 bow front and was only dosing about 2ml when I was using it. Were you dosing this to try and correct your pH problem?
As others have stated try not to chase your pH with buffers as it will spike your alkalinity which is worse than slightly low pH.

 

[Aquanuty]

Hi, yes the bottle with the pipette. I was unable to get the pipette out of the bottle so I had to pour. I'm sure I over estimated the amount I used but only know it exceeded 2mL. I added it because when I was reading about corals I wanted to buy it said they (the coral) would benifit from iodine dosing.... I did a 20% water change the following day, do hopefully my tank isn't iodine heavy. Thanks for you help!

 

[kschweer]

I wouldn't be too concerned since it was the first time dosing and also you did a water change soon after. If I remember correctly that is an iodide solution so its not as bad as dosing regular iodine. Be careful as it is easy to overdose iodine. A general rule of thumb is if you don't have a test for it don't dose it because you don't know your levels. How are things going with your alk and pH?

 

[kschweer]

Also for trace elements such as the iodine regular water changes are usually sufficient to replenish them. If you're doing weekly or bi-weekly water changes and your tank is not heavily stocked you should be fine

 

[Aquanuty]

PH is the same 7.8, alkalinity is 18! Yikes! I'll probably do another water change tomorrow..

 

[glb]

18 is super high! The correct range is 8-12. I'd definitely do a water change and not add any more buffer. The high alk can cause problems. The alk, calcium and mg need to all be in balance.