What do we do if the parameters are not as we wish?

[BlackPanther]

Hello Reefers,

I am just a new reefer and actually I am curious about what exactly do we do IF we observe high/low parameters in our tanks?

Thank you!

 

[GabeM]

Find out why and make small adjustments until within spec. Increased but gradual water changes are a great first troubleshooting step.

 

[Redfoxtang]

Agreed above. Usually if to high a series of water changes should get you back within range. Same could be said if to low but that’s depends on why it’s low. If coral uptake is high than dosing would be sufficient enough to bring parameters back where you want them. If it’s low but dropping than I think a series of water changes will help. This also depends on tank size/water volume etc!!

 

[BlackPanther]

Find out why and make small adjustments until within spec. Increased but gradual water changes are a great first troubleshooting step.

Agreed above. Usually if to high a series of water changes should get you back within range. Same could be said if to low but that’s depends on why it’s low. If coral uptake is high than dosing would be sufficient enough to bring parameters back where you want them. If it’s low but dropping than I think a series of water changes will help. This also depends on tank size/water volume etc!!

Thank you both, much appreciated!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

What to do depends entirely on which parameters and how far off from where you want.

Water changes are often not the best, and sometimes won't even work.

 

[ccombs]

Finding the root cause and fixing that instead of just trying to put bandaids on the problems.

For me, I struggle with Nitrates, so I am constantly working to solve the root issue (too much feeding, detritus not getting cleaned out, etc) instead of just dumping things in my tank that remove nitrates.

 

[ddc0715]

You should also start water testing and tracking your tests. You tests once compared to older tests will tell you AL LOT. then. Example if you test CA today and its 450, then test again in one week and its 350. This tells you that your corals(if a reef) is using 100 mls of CA a week. And in order to keep your tank at 450 you would have to manually dosed 15 mls of CA per day... this example is the same for most all water parms. Minus No3 and no2 or ammo.

 

[rmurken]

what exactly do we do IF we observe high/low parameters in our tanks?

Ask about the specific parameters on reef2reef.com, of course! Seriously, folks are really friendly and helpful.

 

[BlackPanther]

What to do depends entirely on which parameters and how far off from where you want.

Water changes are often not the best, and sometimes won't even work.

I see, Thank you! Do you recommend a topic to read here? since you're a Reef Chemist

Finding the root cause and fixing that instead of just trying to put bandaids on the problems.

For me, I struggle with Nitrates, so I am constantly working to solve the root issue (too much feeding, detritus not getting cleaned out, etc) instead of just dumping things in my tank that remove nitrates.

I got what you mean, makes sense, Thank you!

You should also start water testing and tracking your tests. You tests once compared to older tests will tell you AL LOT. then. Example if you test CA today and its 450, then test again in one week and its 350. This tells you that your corals(if a reef) is using 100 mls of CA a week. And in order to keep your tank at 450 you would have to manually dosed 15 mls of CA per day... this example is the same for most all water parms. Minus No3 and no2 or ammo.

That's so helpful. I'll keep my eyes on the water testing. Thank you!

Ask about the specific parameters on reef2reef.com, of course! Seriously, folks are really friendly and helpful.

Thank you

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

There’s a Sticky thread at the top of this forum with Links to articles on most of the parameters you’d want to control.

the most basic are calcium and alkalinity. Start there:

The Many Methods for Supplementing Calcium and Alkalinity - REEFEDITION

There is no aspect of reef aquarium chemistry more important than calcium and alkalinity. Many of my previous articles have described various aspects of these systems in detail. In reading those articles, aquarists will note one pervasive theme: that maintaining appropriate levels of each are...

www.reefedition.com

 

[BlackPanther]

There’s a Sticky thread at the top of this forum with Links to articles on most of the parameters you’d want to control.

the most basic are calcium and alkalinity. Start there:

The Many Methods for Supplementing Calcium and Alkalinity - REEFEDITION

There is no aspect of reef aquarium chemistry more important than calcium and alkalinity. Many of my previous articles have described various aspects of these systems in detail. In reading those articles, aquarists will note one pervasive theme: that maintaining appropriate levels of each are...

www.reefedition.com

Thank you!