Water parameters question

[abirozy]

Hello

I have a 28 gallong JBJ with an aquamaxx hob-1 skimmer and reef radiance led lighting. I have about 35 lbs live rock, 30 lbs live sand.

1) For fish, I have 2 clowns from my old 2 gallon, a yellow coris wrasse, a yellow neon goby, and a gumdrop clown goby.

2) For corals, I have a LOT of frags, mainly Zoa's / Paly's, LPS (lots of Acans, some duncans, torch, etc). I do have a few acro's.

All my water parameters seem to be good except for possibly 2.

QUESTION:

ALK is around 10.4
Ammonia is around .05-.1 (in between the LOWEST and second LOWEST bar on the color chart).
1) Am I ok?
2) What can be done about Ammonia? It is not a cycling thing as my tank has cycled for sure. I think the ammonia is due to adding a lot of corals recently. Will Ammo lock work, or any others? Should I use these, or just pay close attention to the corals and see if it goes away?

Thanks

Adam

 

[NanaReefer]

Water change! Much safer then chemicals As for what's causing the ammonia, my guess would be 5 fish inna 28g and not enough water changes. With fish you always want 0 ammonia.

 

[abirozy]

Nana

Thanks... I don't think it is my fish, as I have had them for over 1 month with 0 ammonia... the only thing that changed recently was the addition of a LOT of coral and some people said my ammonia may shoot up a bit and to watch for it.

I agree, water changes are good. I am doing 2.5 gallons a week religiously on my 28 gallon. I figure after fish, sand, etc... I have about 20-25 gallons of water. IS THAT ENOUGH or should I do a bigger change every week? I was considering 5 gallons a week, but don't want to hurt my population of nitrifying bacteria.

Thanks again. I have paid attention to a lot of your posts.

Adam

 

[jeremy]

I do a 5 gallon a week water change on my 20 long. Total water volume with sump probably 30 gallon.

 

[Tahoe61]

Nana

Thanks... I don't think it is my fish, as I have had them for over 1 month with 0 ammonia... the only thing that changed recently was the addition of a LOT of coral and some people said my ammonia may shoot up a bit and to watch for it.

Adding corals is not going to make your ammonia shoot up unless those corals are dying. Can you explain the mechanism behind that?

I agree, water changes are good. I am doing 2.5 gallons a week religiously on my 28 gallon. I figure after fish, sand, etc... I have about 20-25 gallons of water. IS THAT ENOUGH or should I do a bigger change every week? I was considering 5 gallons a week, but don't want to hurt my population of nitrifying bacteria.

Nitrifying bacteria live on the surface of rocks, sand, filter media. Very little is in the water column therefore a water change will have no adverse reaction on your biological filter.

Thanks again. I have paid attention to a lot of your posts.

Adam

If you're using an API kit I suspect error or you're over feeding your tank. A water change of 2.5 weekly is more than enough.
Consider getting The Conscientious Marine Aquarist, and The Reef Aquarium Volume I for research and resources.
[h=1][/h]