Parameter question

[stxgb15]

8 month old tank 36 gallon
76 temp
0 nitrite
0 ammonia
.09 nitrate
.08 phosphate
9.7 kh
1.025 salinity
1390 mag
525 calcium
Mixed reef
No dosing
Weekly 5 gallon water changes
Feel like my parameters are all good and within range. Not chasing numbers because everything is looking great but just curious as to why my calcium still sits high

 

[Waters]

What salt mix and test kits are you using?

 

[stxgb15]

What salt mix and test kits are you using?

Hanna and instant ocean reef crystals

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

What did you use to determine nitrate is 0.09 ppm? Assuming it is accurate, it is too low.

 

[stxgb15]

What did you use to determine nitrate is 0.09 ppm? Assuming it is accurate, it is too low

All tests were done with hanna checkers. It does fluctuate up to .15 at most.

 

[Waters]

Hanna and instant ocean reef crystals

Reef cystals does mix at a higher CA...close to 500 if I am not mistaken? I am guessing it is a combination of that and inaccuracies of the tester.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

All tests were done with hanna checkers. It does fluctuate up to .15 at most.

That is within the stated error of the device of zero, so just assume there is none and I’d feed more or dose nitrate.

 

[stxgb15]

Yeah makes sense. Problem is i only have two fish and not much waste. Just have to add a few more fish and lightly feed some more

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

You can feed more whether they eat it or not, or dose nitrate, but waiting risks dinos.