Testing solutions!

[siner94]

Hey guys I just tested these on my 55g and I got these results. I would like some feed back on what’s bad and good. Thanks in advance.


Calcium-400 ppm
Ammonia 0.2
KH 179 ppm
Nitrate 10 ppm

 

[sghera64]

How long has the system been up and running. The ammonia suggests it may still be starting up.

Your dKH is probably ppm CaCO3 (different units) and that is a fine alkalinity number.

 

[siner94]

It’s about 3 months I believe

 

[siner94]

So my calcium is fine and so is the KH? I know the nitrate is high and so is ammonia of course

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

what test kit(s)?

 

[siner94]

It’s API REEF ONE

 

[sghera64]

So my calcium is fine and so is the KH? I know the nitrate is high and so is ammonia of course

Your Ca, Alk, and nitrate are all just fine. Your NO3 might drop after you introduce coral and it begins to grow (even more so if you have an algae scrubber or macro algae refugium).

Ammonia level (if real) suggests that you are still developing your nitrobacter population of bacteria. You can dump a bottle of Dr. Tim’s to expedite that. Or, your population may be carbon limited (use vinegar, EtOH, or sugar).

Have you added fish yet?

Some folks have complained about API test accuracy. I don’t know, but maybe the ammonia reading is not reliable if it is an API test.

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

their ammonia isn’t known to be super accurate. sometimes giving false readings. maybe try a different kit to know for sure?

having said that, i use api for no3 and po4.

 

[siner94]

Your Ca, Alk, and nitrate are all just fine. Your NO3 might drop after you introduce coral and it begins to grow (even more so if you have an algae scrubber or macro algae refugium).

Ammonia level (if real) suggests that you are still developing your nitrobacter population of bacteria. You can dump a bottle of Dr. Tim’s to expedite that. Or, your population may be carbon limited (use vinegar, EtOH, or sugar).

Have you added fish yet?

Some folks have complained about API test accuracy. I don’t know, but maybe the ammonia reading is not reliable if it is an API test.

Nice! Thanks for the help and I do have fish as well as corals that I moved from my 12 gallon I had prior to starting up this

 

[siner94]

their ammonia isn’t known to be super accurate. sometimes giving false readings. maybe try a different kit to know for sure?

having said that, i use api for no3 and po4.

What other test is accurate for the ammonia reading?

 

[sghera64]

Nice! Thanks for the help and I do have fish as well as corals that I moved from my 12 gallon I had prior to starting up this

If the ammonia is real, any problems it causes will show up with fish stress. If they are doing well, you might be just fine.

The coral can actually help lower the NH3 by using it as a nitrogen source. Macro algae will also uptake NH3.

 

[siner94]

If the ammonia is real, any problems it causes will show up with fish stress. If they are doing well, you might be just fine.

The coral can actually help lower the NH3 by using it as a nitrogen source. Macro algae will also uptake NH3.

The reason for the questions is because one of my torch corals won’t open while my other ones are doing just fine so I’m a bit lost

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

What other test is accurate for the ammonia reading?

i use the seachem ammonia badge as it tests for free ammonia vs total ammonium such as the api.