Still learning, question!

[Natashamarie]

okay, I am horrible at math and this is probably a very embarrassing question! Lol... so when I’m using a salifert test the syringe that I read my results off of have for example 0,2. If it lands on 0,2 does that equal 0.2??

 

[DSC reef]

Show a pic of the syringe. It could be .02 or 0.2. Totally different reading. Make sure the syringe is upside down

 

[Natashamarie]

Show a pic of the syringe. It could be .02 or 0.2. Totally different reading. Make sure the syringe is upside down

 

[Natashamarie]

It was at the 0,2

 

[redfishbluefish]

But it's a one ml syringe and you've now used 0.8 mls when it's at 0.2 (1.0 - 0.2 = 0.8).

 

[jsker]

What one in reading is the bottom of the black rubber plunger

 

[Natashamarie]

But it's a one ml syringe and you've now used 0.8 mls when it's at 0.2 (1.0 - 0.2 = 0.8).

Yes, so the answer is... the comma is basically a decimal point... okay so now who wants to help me figure out what I’m supposed to do... I have corals looking unhappy. And these are my parameters.

Ph 8.1
Ammonia 0
Nitrates basically 1
Magnesium 1200ppm
Calcium 390ppm
8.6kh/3.08alk

 

[Natashamarie]

I kn

What one in reading is the bottom of the black rubber plunger

yep, that’s how I read it

 

[DSC reef]

If your at the 0.2 mark on the syringe then you'll read exactly that on the paper to determine the reading. If your above the 0.1 then you'll read .02 Correct, the comma is a decimal point.

 

[jsker]

Yes, so the answer is... the comma is basically a decimal point... okay so now who wants to help me figure out what I’m supposed to do... I have corals looking unhappy. And these are my parameters.

Ph 8.1
Ammonia 0
Nitrates basically 1
Magnesium 1200ppm
Calcium 390ppm
8.6kh/3.08alk

Bring you magnesium up to 1350 to 1400
Nitrates need to come up to 3 to 5 ppm
you need phosphates if not being tested of .01 to .03
your alk is fine, but needs to stay steady
Ph is fine

 

[jsker]

If your at the 0.2 mark on the syringe then you'll read exactly that on the paper to determine the reading. If your above the 0.1 then you'll read .02 Correct, the comma is a decimal point.

+1

 

[Natashamarie]

Bring you magnesium up to 1350 to 1400
Nitrates need to come up to 3 to 5 ppm
you need phosphates if not being tested of .01 to .03
your alk is fine, but needs to stay steady
Ph is fine

Do you recommend anything to bring up the mag?

 

[jsker]

Do you recommend anything to bring up the mag?

Yes, sorry I should have written "bring up your Mg to 1350 to 1400"

 

[DSC reef]

Depending on size of the tank and salt brand, regular water changes will do it.

 

[Natashamarie]

Depending on size of the tank and salt brand, regular water changes will do it.

But if I do another water change my nitrates will just keep dropping.

 

[DSC reef]

Balance takes time. Make changes slowly, small water changes weekly can help. Once you develop a steady routine you'll be surprised how things fall into place. Keep it simple.

 

[Ranjib]

Do you recommend anything to bring up the mag?

Similar to two parts which bring up the alk and Ca level, there are Mg additives which can boost Mg level. BRS has their own additive, Seachem , B-Ionic , red sea foundation are some other.
I use B-ionic for two parts as well and Mg

 

[Natashamarie]

Balance takes time. Make changes slowly, small water changes weekly can help. Once you develop a steady routine you'll be surprised how things fall into place. Keep it simple.

I do weekly water changes. And my corals haven’t looked the best in weeks and weeks. I’m just losing patience at this point

 

[Ranjib]

But if I do another water change my nitrates will just keep dropping.

Feed more.Or get an extra fish.. balancing your param will take time, know what increases what and what decreases what and slowly make changes

 

[Lovemyreef2015]

I agree with dscreef. Time and patience. Everything will balance out in time.