Water parameters on track?

[saltnewb]

Did a 30% water change this morning and just now tested the tank. Also did a comparison with tap to know my original baseline.

Current tank readings.

Nitrate - 10ppm
Phosphate - 1.0ppm
Calcium - 480ppm
kH - 232.7ppm

Tap water results are

Nitrate - 0
Phosphate - .25ppm
Calcium - 100ppm
kH - 179ppm

So now I'm confused on how my water increased in phosphates and kH originally. Now the numbers are headed back to the recommended levels, so it's more out of curiosity than panic.

 

[saltnewb]

The kH will continue to drop with the RO water changes as that is below testable levels.

 

[FishGuyBri]

I'm only posting because I chuckled after I read the "i thought the 100s were high" comment. Mine are 457 AFTER a tabletop water filter, and I'm in good ole' sunny southwest Florida.. I have to have a 6 stage RODI with an extra carbon up front. It's insane. Without it, the DI resin dies in weeks (like 2).

 

[saltnewb]

Glad to hear I wasn't the only one that laughed.

 

[saltnewb]

Just updating my water tests.

Salinity - 1.024
Ammonia & Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 40
pH - 8
Phosphate - 0.5
KH - 232.7
Calcium - 440

I'm planning on doing a water change tomorrow to get the nitrates and KH down and getting the Calcium up. Otherwise it seems my tank is stable and that makes me happy!

 

[saltnewb]

update on my water tests. it's been a while since i put some time into testing things. These results are after adding a HOB Refugium with Cheato, Sea Lettuce and a nano protein skimmer.

Salinity - 1.025
Ammonia & Nitrite - 0
Nitrate 40
pH - 8.4
Phosphate - .25
KH - 196.9
Calcium - 440

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

update on my water tests. it's been a while since i put some time into testing things. These results are after adding a HOB Refugium with Cheato, Sea Lettuce and a nano protein skimmer.

Salinity - 1.025
Ammonia & Nitrite - 0
Nitrate 40
pH - 8.4
Phosphate - .25
KH - 196.9
Calcium - 440

how cool. the trend should continue. An aggressive bacteria like MB7 or Probidio might be a consideration too...
Great to hear.

 

[saltnewb]

what would MB7 or Probidio do in the tank? I've never heard of either.

 

[saltnewb]

Also, i'm dosing the tank with Reef Accelerator from Instant Ocean once a week. I put in a cap and a half. Since starting to dose, I've had a lot more pink/purple algae growth on my rocks.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

what would MB7 or Probidio do in the tank? I've never heard of either.

Also, i'm dosing the tank with Reef Accelerator from Instant Ocean once a week. I put in a cap and a half. Since starting to dose, I've had a lot more pink/purple algae growth on my rocks.

Both are bacterias. Bacteria are the bio filter. So a higher bacterial population will process nutrints better. Mb7 may be a better choice as its less complicated. Or do you have some bottled bacteria on hand like Bio Spira etc..
It looks like reef accelerator is mag cal and alk....Thats good stuff. trace elements and the big three. I would only check that it contains some alkalinity so cal does not rise more than alk..

 

[saltnewb]

Switched to Fritz salt and have done a couple water changes. Protein skimmer is being more cooperative so that is nice. Lastly I've been feeding once a day, mainly frozen and don't feed pellets so much anymore. Here's a look at my latest numbers.

pH - 7.8
No2 - 0ppm
NH3/NH4 - 0ppm
NO3 - 10ppm (this one was a pleasant surprise)
PO4 - .25ppm (doesn't seem to go anywhere)
KH - 179 (still going down, remember I originally filled up with tap water and dechlorinator)
Ca2 - 520

If my number stay constant I'll be looking at some more corals to add to the colors, but I'm getting so much growth from my zoas right now I almost want to have an almost zoa only tank. We shall see.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Switched to Fritz salt and have done a couple water changes. Protein skimmer is being more cooperative so that is nice. Lastly I've been feeding once a day, mainly frozen and don't feed pellets so much anymore. Here's a look at my latest numbers.

pH - 7.8
No2 - 0ppm
NH3/NH4 - 0ppm
NO3 - 10ppm (this one was a pleasant surprise)
PO4 - .25ppm (doesn't seem to go anywhere)
KH - 179 (still going down, remember I originally filled up with tap water and dechlorinator)
Ca2 - 520

If my number stay constant I'll be looking at some more corals to add to the colors, but I'm getting so much growth from my zoas right now I almost want to have an almost zoa only tank. We shall see.

"dirty water"! mmmmm.
How about some LPS?

 

[saltnewb]

"dirty water"! mmmmm.
How about some LPS?

I shall take a look at some LPS. At what point would my water be considered "clean"?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I shall take a look at some LPS. At what point would my water be considered "clean"?

Down to the usual reccomended parameters
See Randy Farley parameters article.

IMO for most slightly higher nutrients are a bit easier to deal with than low and a lot of corals seem to respond well to them.

 

[glb]

Down to the usual reccomended parameters
See Randy Farley parameters article.

IMO for most slightly higher nutrients are a bit easier to deal with than low and a lot of corals seem to respond well to them.

Agreed. Some nitrates in the tank are necessary to feed the corals and many lps don't do well with ultra-low nitrates. SPS tanks benefit from ultra-low nitrates the most imo. I've decided to run my new 40g at around 10-15ppm nitrates and keep only softies and LPS.