Water parameters...are they normal?

megisawesome06 · Jul 2, 2015

I just took a few tests for parameters. Salinity is at 1.024. Nitrates: approx 1.5ppm Phosphates: 0.64 ppm

I still haven't figured out the dang magnesium test. So confusing. Anyway, are these normal? Is there anything I should do? TIA!

redfishbluefish · Jul 2, 2015

Well, Nitrates are low (or should I say good), phosphates are high. If this is a reef tank with SPS and LPS, you will also want to test for Alk and Calc, and dose accordingly.

megisawesome06 · Jul 2, 2015

It is a reef tank. I will try the alk and calc tomorrow. I did a water change earlier. What can I do to help the phosphates down?

megisawesome06 · Jul 2, 2015

Guess I could lighten the feeding a bit.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jul 3, 2015

I agree the phosphate is quite high if accurate. I'd personally raise the salinity, but it is not a big deal.

This is a good place to start in understanding what is normal/desirable:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/o...-reef-aquarium-by-randy-holmes-farley.173563/

megisawesome06 · Jul 3, 2015

Thank you! To be honest, it was my first time doing both tests. They may not have been accurate. I still can't get that magnesium test down. Maybe if I watch someone do it on their tank on YouTube...anyway, I'll test again today.

Another random question...how often should I change the carbon in my filters? Is there anything else I should do that I may not know I should do yet? I'm essentially diving in to all this saltwater madness. We got this established tank, but got no advice from the guy it came from. I've figured out on my own what to feed and whatnot. So is there anything super important I should be doing that noobs sometimes forget or don't know to do? Hope that made sense...

Reefing Madness · Jul 3, 2015

http://www.marinedepot.com/reef-tank-parameters.html

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jul 3, 2015

megisawesome06 said:
Another random question...how often should I change the carbon in my filters? Is there anything else I should do that I may not know I should do yet? I'm essentially diving in to all this saltwater madness. We got this established tank, but got no advice from the guy it came from. I've figured out on my own what to feed and whatnot. So is there anything super important I should be doing that noobs sometimes forget or don't know to do? Hope that made sense...

Its hard to gauge GAC use, but I'd say change it in 4-6 weeks because by that time it is likely coated with bacteria and not useful much beyond that.

megisawesome06 · Jul 7, 2015

Just tested my magnesium and got 1200 ppm. It's lower than the optimal amt. do I need to raise it or is that ok?

Reefing Madness · Jul 7, 2015

I'd get it above 1300. 1250-1350 is norm, but I'd get it up, then let it come down to 1250, not battle keeping it at 1250.

megisawesome06 · Jul 7, 2015

What do I do to raise it? I'm sorry. This is the first time I've done it and it came out right. (Which makes me think I did it wrong, but to be fair, I used the Salifert this time instead of RS.)

Reefing Madness · Jul 7, 2015

Many ways to raise MAG
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=4791
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-07/rhf/
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2003/10/chemistry
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/2-part-magnesium-mix-aquarium-supplement.html

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jul 8, 2015

megisawesome06 said:
Just tested my magnesium and got 1200 ppm. It's lower than the optimal amt. do I need to raise it or is that ok?

You are actually well above the normal magnesium level for seawater with that salinity (your sallinity is lower than normal seawater).

Personally, I'd just raise the salinity to 35 ppt (sg = 1.0264) which would push you magnesium plenty high (above 1400 ppm).

megisawesome06 · Jul 8, 2015

Ok. Thank you thus far, my saltwater comrades!

To raise the salinity, I would just mix up a bit of rodi and then salt it, mix it and then add it to the sump? Just makin sure I'm doing this right. If I'm annoying you with questions, I'm sorry. [emoji38]

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jul 8, 2015

For raising salinity, the best way is to make some normal strength seawater as you usually do, then use that for evaporation replacement for a few days. That way the rise is nice and steady. To go from sg = 1.024 to sg = 1.026 will require the addition of 8% of the tank water volume that way.

FWIW, you cannot make hypersaline seawater without risking calcium carbonate precipitation .