water chemistry levels

[sergifed91]

I don't follow the numbers to much. I do the tests every Friday. I don't think there to bad other than ALK and PH. they need to be lower. but I also haven't had my skimmer running a whole lot this whole week. I have been running it the past 48 hours though. I had a lot of incident lately with the cup overflowing for no reason. I got that issue resolve I hope. that i'm looking into smart skimmer. might buy it from BRF. wanna talk to them before I pull the trigger on it.
but my weekly levels that I have tested. are:
KH/ALK 12.1
MG 1290
CA 420
PO4 1
PH 7.8
not sure if PO4 is correct but the ALK should work itself down over the next few days. the skimmer should start taking out particles that might be raising the ALK. but correct me if i'm wrong on that to.
but over all I don't think I should worry about the PO4 or alk yet nothing seems to be different about the tank. I did notice I have unwanted brown algea that i'm going to clean off in the morning.I was also reading that my red mangroves might be the cause of the high ALK. but who knows. your thoughts on my levels and the smart skimmer

 

[DLHDesign]

the skimmer should start taking out particles that might be raising the ALK. but correct me if i'm wrong on that to.

A skimmer will usually take out particles which might result in a healthier tank, that is true enough. A healthier tank may result in a higher rate of calcification that results in a higher alkalinity consumption, which would (assuming the alkalinity source is not increased) decrease the alkalinity in the tank.
It's a stretch to say that running a skimmer longer will result in a lower alkalinity in a tank by any significant degree, in other words. It's possible you'll see things shift due to the condition of your tank (or you may not...), but I wouldn't count on anything significant.

What salt are you using? It's not uncommon to see high alkalinity due to the salt mix being used...

The Smart Skimmer is a good way to keep your skimmer cup from overflowing. I've got a similar setup using my Apex (which, of course, comes at a much higher price point) and appreciate having the setup.

 

[sergifed91]

A skimmer will usually take out particles which might result in a healthier tank, that is true enough. A healthier tank may result in a higher rate of calcification that results in a higher alkalinity consumption, which would (assuming the alkalinity source is not increased) decrease the alkalinity in the tank.
It's a stretch to say that running a skimmer longer will result in a lower alkalinity in a tank by any significant degree, in other words. It's possible you'll see things shift due to the condition of your tank (or you may not...), but I wouldn't count on anything significant.

What salt are you using? It's not uncommon to see high alkalinity due to the salt mix being used...

The Smart Skimmer is a good way to keep your skimmer cup from overflowing. I've got a similar setup using my Apex (which, of course, comes at a much higher price point) and appreciate having the setup.

I'm giving it a few days then retest all all and po4. I'm using instant ocean with reef crystals.

 

[Ron Reefman]

Don't chase the pH level. It's OK. And trying to affect it is not worth the effort unless it's too low due to C02 in the water (due to high C02 levels in the house).

And mangroves have no affect on alk levels. I have 3 in a 40g cube. They grow, they do take out a very, very small amount of phosphate and nitrate (macro algae is WAY better at this) and they look cool. A couple of my fish like hanging out in the root structure.

 

[Reeferdood]

Good morning and Happy Saturday,
As for your numbers, I would agree that your alkalinity is rather high & calcium - pH are ok. The magnesium is low, I would bring it up to @ 1400 ppm. Now as far as the phosphate, how are you checking it and what is the reading? The number you have is way too high for most, that would usually result in a very green tank. Like stated above, mangroves are cool but remove very little nutrients from the water. Are you dosing at all or trying to maintain everything via water changes? Smart skimmers are another thing that are really helpful preventing overflows. Sorry for all the questions but I think everyone would like to start you off right.
IMHO, testing should be done at least bi weekly especially in smaller and newer systems.

 

[sergifed91]

Good morning and Happy Saturday,
As for your numbers, I would agree that your alkalinity is rather high & calcium - pH are ok. The magnesium is low, I would bring it up to @ 1400 ppm. Now as far as the phosphate, how are you checking it and what is the reading? The number you have is way too high for most, that would usually result in a very green tank. Like stated above, mangroves are cool but remove very little nutrients from the water. Are you dosing at all or trying to maintain everything via water changes? Smart skimmers are another thing that are really helpful preventing overflows. Sorry for all the questions but I think everyone would like to start you off right.
IMHO, testing should be done at least bi weekly especially in smaller and newer systems.

thank god it's Saturday. the phosphate I did 2 tests. the first one I got no readings that was the salifert. I think it is a faulty test kit. then the second one I am using seechem. I have no green water. I always do weekly water changes between 10 to 15 percent. I'm not dosing anything at all. although I do have the dosing for calcium, magnesium, alkalinity and fluval sea trace elements. there all unopened and in a fridge to keep cool. so If I ever need them I have it on hand. as far as macro's my LFS don't carry macro algae's. so I have tried asking if they could order them and they don't order macro algea. so i'm heading to FLorida in a couple weeks and going to try to pick up a few and throw them in the tank.

 

[sergifed91]

I went a ahead and retested the Magnesium after 24 hours of adding MG supplement. got it raised after 24 hours to 1290. SO I added a little bit more this evening going to retest it in 24 hours. hopefully it will be up in the 1300 range. CA is down to 400. going to retest that again tomorrow to see if it lowered again. I don't want to use to much supplements since I'm doing a water change this Friday... and ALK is down to 11.2 down a little bit. but not that much. going to wait a few more days. I did make a fresh batch for my QT tank and before adding it. I made sure the mixture of salt was fully stirred and airiated. and brought up to temp. and ALK was above 15. time to change salt since i'm using INstant Ocean with reef crystals.