tank testing

[novajohn01]

so I checked my tank levels.....calcium 420ppm,alk. 9.0,nitrate 100ppm,phosphate0.40ppm.....i do have a little green grass gowing on my skimmer tho......water is very clear but my zoas are not opening up like they should.......any sugessitions......thanks...

 

[pelagic]

How often do you do the water change? Did you move the zoas or any changes since last time it was open?

 

[Tahoe61]

What is your water source and testing kit. The phos is too high and if the nitrate value if correct that is very high.

 

[bknapp]

Nitrates and phosphates are high. What's your water change schedule and lighting?

 

[novajohn01]

have been doin water changes every week........20gal...........light blues on 12-8pm whites on 1-7pm....havent moved any corals around.....

 

[schooleyosis]

Are you using RO/DI water? How about feeding the tank with food, how much and how often? CAL and ALK look good. Any clue what your pH is?

Also, your nitrate levels seem off the charts. What did you use to test it with?

 

[novajohn01]

no RO/DI water...using critter water.......feed flake food once a day and some frozen fish food........i used a Hanna digital checker for phosphate and a salifert for nitrate.....

 

[bknapp]

Double check that you're reading the Salifert correctly. If I remember those correctly if you look through it from the side or down through it the results are different.

What sized tank is it? Which flake foods are you using?

If your nitrates and phosphates are truly at those levels that's where I would think your issues are.

 

[greg0385]

my opinion is to test incoming water and if the test results are good then do some big water changes. 25% w/c twice a week sun/wed and be sure to take a small pump or turkey baster to blow all the gunk from the rocks when doing your w/c.

 

[pelagic]

my opinion is to test incoming water and if the test results are good then do some big water changes. 25% w/c twice a week sun/wed and be sure to take a small pump or turkey baster to blow all the gunk from the rocks when doing your w/c.

2nd that. if you have deep sand bed, make sure to clean it as well using the cleaner.