Today's test results.

justjes45 · May 14, 2017

Salinity 124
Temp 78°

dKH 11.5 ( Hanna checker)

API TEST KIT

Ph 8.2
Ammonia 1.0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 40ppm
Calcium 400
Phosphate 1.0

Red Sea pro test

Magnesium 1900
Calcium 475
Meg/L 4.75. dKH 13.3

So my concerns are these...

I am using a couple different test kits and the results are varied...
I don't really know how to approach dosing or fixing. If I don't know what numbers to trust.

My magnesium seems to be through the roof.

The history on the tank is I had a 30 gallon tank for two years and it sprung a leak ( check out my other posts for the story on that)
So a week ago I transferred the tank over. The new tank is a 40 gallon.

So I am not sure if the tank is still adjusting?

And to add to the confusion, this tank has filter socks not baskets,... and I am still adjusting to and researching those....

Lol new stuff... I was in such a happy rut.....

thaitopher · May 14, 2017

Definitely still adjusting if you are getting positive ammonia readings

Medic755 · May 14, 2017

What salt are you using? API gives all whacky numbers. Even Hanna checkers I've had be off from Red Sea. I don't think either is wrong, I just average them as it could just be their margin of error. It seems like everything has cycled, how long has it been running? I've seen a lot of people have the API ammonia read 1 or 0.25 no matter what they do, even on RODI water.

somebloke · May 14, 2017

Medic755 said:
What salt are you using? API gives all whacky numbers. Even Hanna checkers I've had be off from Red Sea. I don't think either is wrong, I just average them as it could just be their margin of error. It seems like everything has cycled, how long has it been running? I've seen a lot of people have the API ammonia read 1 or 0.25 no matter what they do, even on RODI water.

I've found that after repeated use of a test tube for the API ammonia test during cycling, there's a residue that builds up and gives a small false positive reading of ammonia after the tank has cycled. A quick soak in vinegar lifts it off immediately. It doesn't seem to build up when testing a tank with no ammonia, so it's the reaction with the ammonia not the reagents that cause the buildup.

Medic755 · May 14, 2017

somebloke said:
I've found that after repeated use of a test tube for the API ammonia test during cycling, there's a residue that builds up and gives a small false positive reading of ammonia after the tank has cycled. A quick soak in vinegar lifts it off immediately. It doesn't seem to build up when testing a tank with no ammonia, so it's the reaction with the ammonia not the reagents that cause the buildup.

That's good to know!

BoomCorals · May 14, 2017

You should always clean vials with vinegar RODI mix.

Medic755 · May 15, 2017

I always just rinsed them out, Never thought about a residue left over from the reagents/water.

justjes45 · May 15, 2017

Also never heard about a residue.
I have soaked my vials in citric acid before- probably the same purpose?
I use a britewell salt- "coral reef pro"? The name escapes me now and I am not home. I will check.
Thinking about doing a water change and then testing again.

somebloke · May 15, 2017

Citric acid works too, yes. In my case the residue was very visible but I was using chemical ammonia to cycle and kept my doses pretty high so the tank could support a decent bio-load right off the bat. Had to do about an 80% water change and then another 30 a few days later before stocking because my nitrates were really high.