test results parameters ok?

[saixiong08]

I just did a 10% water change, and tested a few hours after. I'm using the red sea test kit. My alkalinity is at 12 Dkh, Calcium is at 370 ppm. and magnesium is at 1360 ppm. Phosphate at .5 ppm. Now i dont have any corals in my tank, but just wondering if these are suitable for soft and lps corals. Ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, saltinity, and temp are all good.

 

[reeferfoxx]

I just did a 10% water change, and tested a few hours after. I'm using the red sea test kit. My alkalinity is at 12 Dkh, Calcium is at 370 ppm. and magnesium is at 1360 ppm. Phosphate at .5 ppm. Now i dont have any corals in my tank, but just wondering if these are suitable for soft and lps corals. Ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, saltinity, and temp are all good.

What are you testing po4 with?

Try and bump calcium up above 400. In fact I think your balance per alk range would be 440 +/- depending on where your alk falls. 12dkh is pretty high though.

 

[saixiong08]

Testing po4 with API. What should I use to bump up calcium?

 

[saixiong08]

Can I get a two part dose and just dose calcium to balance it out? What brand do you guys use?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

What are you testing po4 with?

Try and bump calcium up above 400. In fact I think your balance per alk range would be 440 +/- depending on where your alk falls. 12dkh is pretty high though.

Can I get a two part dose and just dose calcium to balance it out? What brand do you guys use?

I would double check those tests. Thats pretty far out of whack.
If your not already using a buffer (like for PH)or other additives I really have to believe its testing error.

 

[saixiong08]

Not using any buffer. This is my first time using the test so I Will test again tomorrow and see how it goes

 

[reeferfoxx]

Agreed. API shouldn't be used for po4 testing, either. Look into Hanna ultra low rang ppb colormeter.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Not using any buffer. This is my first time using the test so I Will test again tomorrow and see how it goes

Agreed. API shouldn't be used for po4 testing, either. Look into Hanna ultra low rang ppb colormeter.

Practice makes perfect. And yes API is a close guesser, but doable. and good practice.

FWIW if you ever get .25 Po4 with the API, it roughly translates to "Holy Smokes thats High!"

 

[saixiong08]

Practice makes perfect. And yes API is a close guesser, but doable. and good practice.

FWIW if you ever get .25 Po4 with the API, it roughly translates to "Holy Smokes thats High!"

Will invest in a better test kit

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Will invest in a better test kit

I still use api...

Fwiw, my last test was Holy smokes..and no, i dont have cyano. or GHA. And I don't know why my acros keep growing.

 

[saixiong08]

Ok. Is there anything else I should do?

 

[reeferfoxx]

What salt are you using?

 

[saixiong08]

Just using Instant ocean. Will upgrade salt when I use up these first

 

[saixiong08]

I was told to test my pre-mixed saltwater I've tested the water of my salt and my results are
Calcium-400
Magnesium 1380
Alk - 10.2
Does this mean the salt is good? Maybe i just need to do more water change? Suggestions?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Does this mean the salt is good?

ues. a lot of folks use it.

Maybe i just need to do more water change?

yup.
then monitor alk for a week or 2.