Test results Whats good? Whats bad?

poseidonreefs_ · Sep 28, 2022

this machine is called the Waterlink. All my local fish stores have it. I would like for someone to help me unpack this ans tell me what is too high, and what is too low. What is just right. I have a full softie tank
Some of these numbers they divide to get the actual ppm. Like alkalinity i believe they defide by 17. Here is the results and a chart from the waterlink page thank you!

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal · Sep 28, 2022

Just a suggestion, as you've made other similar posts: research the specific corals you have/want and learn about "what's good/what's bad" for each. Then you can decide what new pieces to add and what, if any, changes you need to make to your tank.

*Regular water changes and general maintenance will go a LONG way to helping your parameters be "good".

Tired · Sep 28, 2022

Agreed. Research is your friend, and "what phosphate/nitrate/etc for a soft coral reef tank" is a pretty basic question that you should be able to find some answers to online.

AFHokie · Sep 28, 2022

Generally your numbers look good with some minor caveats.

Alkalinity is in ppm and 227 is around 12.6 dKH which is on the high end of acceptable. For softies phosphate should be no problem at .2 but more demanding coral could be unhappy.

That’s a pretty nifty machine, which my LFS had that. Assuming it’s accurate and reliable.

poseidonreefs_ · Sep 28, 2022

AFHokie said:
Generally your numbers look good with some minor caveats.

Alkalinity is in ppm and 227 is around 12.6 dKH which is on the high end of acceptable. For softies phosphate should be no problem at .2 but more demanding coral could be unhappy.

That’s a pretty nifty machine, which my LFS had that. Assuming it’s accurate and reliable.

Down here in miami, every LFS has this.

poseidonreefs_ · Sep 28, 2022

AFHokie said:
Generally your numbers look good with some minor caveats.

Alkalinity is in ppm and 227 is around 12.6 dKH which is on the high end of acceptable. For softies phosphate should be no problem at .2 but more demanding coral could be unhappy.

That’s a pretty nifty machine, which my LFS had that. Assuming it’s accurate and reliable.

Nitrates are too high at 15 you think?

AFHokie · Sep 28, 2022

poseidonreefs_ said:
Nitrates are too high at 15 you think?

Everyone has their own opinion but no, not for me. My tank seems to do best when I keep them a hair below 10. I’m sure they would be fine at 15 too, mine just never gets that high.

When my nitrates get too low some of my corals fade.

Tamberav · Sep 28, 2022

poseidonreefs_ said:
Nitrates are too high at 15 you think?

No. Especially not an issue for softies.

Phosphate on that machine is not very accurate btw, the rest should be fine tho. Again, higher phosphate isn't really an issue anyways for soft coral.

How does the coral/tank look?

poseidonreefs_ · Sep 28, 2022

AFHokie said:
Everyone has their own opinion but no, not for me. My tank seems to do best when I keep them a hair below 10. I’m sure they would be fine at 15 too, mine just never gets that high.

When my nitrates get too low some of my corals fade.

All my zoas seem pretty ticked at these parakm

Tamberav said:
No. Especially not an issue for softies.

Phosphate on that machine is not very accurate btw, the rest should be fine tho. Again, higher phosphate isn't really an issue anyways for soft coral.

How does the coral/tank look?

Tanks okay but ive been testing more cause theres something off in my tank, the zoas seem to be a bit ticked had some melt on me which is weird and why ive been testing. I never really test just keep my same dosing, feed heavily and 10% water change weekly.

Tamberav · Sep 28, 2022

poseidonreefs_ said:
All my zoas seem pretty ticked at these parakm

Tanks okay but ive been testing more cause theres something off in my tank, the zoas seem to be a bit ticked had some melt on me which is weird and why ive been testing. I never really test just keep my same dosing, feed heavily and 10% water change weekly.

what are you dosing that you are not testing? You should not dose without testing.

My nutrients are MUCH higher and my zoas look great!

poseidonreefs_ · Sep 28, 2022

Tamberav said:
what are you dosing that you are not testing? You should not dose without testing.

My nutrients are MUCH higher and my zoas look great!

Possible my mag might be a bit high? They seemed ticked. I threw in a bit of mag i dont even know why about 2 water changes ago. For some odd reason i decided to be a dummy snd throw a bit in. Maybe 15 ml’s. Should have my nutrients higher thats for sure.

BaliReefBox · Sep 28, 2022

with an accuracy on most tests at +- 15% i wouldnt be relying on them to much..just thoughts

Tamberav · Sep 28, 2022

poseidonreefs_ said:
Possible my mag might be a bit high? They seemed ticked. I threw in a bit of mag i dont even know why about 2 water changes ago. For some odd reason i decided to be a dummy snd throw a bit in. Maybe 15 ml’s. Should have my nutrients higher thats for sure.

why is the alk so high? Do you dose 2 part without testing often?

1386 is fine.