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Can someone look at my parameters - need some experts!!

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by gb387, Nov 23, 2008.

  1. Nov 23, 2008 #1
    gb387

    gb387 Inactive User

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    Can someone look at my most recent parameters.  Right now I am using Instant Oceans salt and finishing what little I have left then I am changing over the Reef Crystals. 
    I would like some ideas and help on keeping everything should be...  will changing to RC bring my calcium and mag up?
    If you see some problem let me know.
    I have bought some new test kits (API for everything but PH, Mag and Alk those three are RedSea) and I am now keeping track of everything much more closely and documenting everything.   
    Here they are (cut and paste from excel):











    Date Tested
      Recommended


    11/23/2008

    Calcium (ppm)
    380-450 ppm


    300


    Alkalinity (meq/L)
    2.5-4



    ***=xl79 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">2.0



    Salinity (sg)
    1.026


    1.025

    Temperature (F)
    76-83


    81.7

    pH
    8.1-8.3


    8.4


    Magnesium (ppm)
    1250-1350 ppm



    e=Calibri>1100



    Phosphates (ppm)
    < 0.03 ppm


    0.00

    Ammonia (ppm)
    < 0.01 ppm


    0.00

    Nitrate (ppm)
    < 0.02 ppm


    0.00

    Nitrite (ppm)
    < 0.02 ppm


    0.00

     
  2. Nov 23, 2008 #2
    REEFer Madness

    REEFer Madness Inactive User

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    Reef Crystals will make your mag and calcium go up.   Other than that it's about the same as I/O.
    Reef Central Salt Test
     
  3. Nov 23, 2008 #3
    JB Marion

    JB Veteran Reefkeeper

    5,146
    Marion
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    You should consider dosing 2 part solution. Those Cal/Alk readings are really low. Mag needs to be raised too.

    Be careful when dosing because you're PH is already high.

    -JB
     
  4. Nov 23, 2008 #4
    phishcrazee Riverside

    phishcrazee Experienced Reefkeeper

    1,681
    Riverside
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    You might want to try topping off with limewater to get the calcium and alkalinity up. It depends to on what you keep in your tank. If it's just softies and zoanthids, the calcium isn't as important. I use RC and really, I didn't notice a huge difference in my calcium levels after I switched.
    Yes, be careful if you use limewater, as it can raise your pH......
     
  5. Nov 23, 2008 #5
    h2so4hurts

    h2so4hurts Inactive User

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    There are two different two part dosing recipes. One increases your pH slightly and the other lowers it slightly. Pick the one that works best in your situation. Probably the one that lowers it /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/tongue.gif
     
  6. Nov 23, 2008 #6
    gb387

    gb387 Inactive User

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    The dosing is where I am getting lost - just don't know where to start. The October meeting really helped, now that I have working test kits I have something to work with.
     
  7. Nov 23, 2008 #7
    einsteins

    einsteins Experienced Reefkeeper

    1,162
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    Here is your additive bible...

    Use the Chemestry calculator on this page to determine doeses and everything for your exact supplements...

    http://reef.diesyst.com/flashcalc/flashcalc.html
    Get alkalinity and Calcium in the red box and the Magnesium in the zone below it...
    I wouldnt worry about pH as long as those 3 are in balance.
    eins
     
  8. Nov 23, 2008 #8
    gb387

    gb387 Inactive User

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    Posted By einsteins on 11/23/2008 07:41 PM
    Here is your additive bible...
    Use the Chemestry calculator on this page to determine doeses and everything for your exact supplements...

    http://reef.diesyst.com/flashcalc/flashcalc.html
    Get alkalinity and Calcium in the red box and the Magnesium in the zone below it...
    I wouldnt worry about pH as long as those 3 are in balance.
    eins
    Wow - Huh, I have done lots of reading and looked over that site as well tonight.  My eyes are buggin out from tonight's reading so I will have to give everything a look over tomorrow its seems overwhelming. 
    [​IMG]
     
  9. Nov 23, 2008 #9
    Lee

    Lee Experienced Reefkeeper

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    The biggest thing is not to change things drastically. Bring up your Ca/Alk/Mg levels slowly over about a weeks time, not all at once. I also think that your PH of 8.4 is possibly inaccurate with that low of an alkalinity...unless you are topping off with limewater already. I would also suggest bringing down the temp to about 78-79.

    You'll get it, it takes time. It is overwhelming at first.
     
  10. Nov 23, 2008 #10
    gb387

    gb387 Inactive User

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    Posted By lee on 11/23/2008 08:43 PM
    The biggest thing is not to change things drastically. Bring up your Ca/Alk/Mg levels slowly over about a weeks time, not all at once. I also think that your PH of 8.4 is possibly inaccurate with that low of an alkalinity...unless you are topping off with limewater already. I would also suggest bringing down the temp to about 78-79.
    You'll get it, it takes time. It is overwhelming at first.
    I just installed two new heaters and I am working on getting the adjusted down a little more.   No I am not topping with limewater, I will retest tonight and see what I get.
     
  11. Nov 24, 2008 #11
    gb387

    gb387 Inactive User

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    Using the 'calculator', seems there are a 100 different options to correct my calcium and mag. 
       [​IMG]
     
  12. Nov 24, 2008 #12
    B-Rad

    B-Rad Inactive User

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    Welcome.. TO Tank Hood!!! WHOOHAHA..[​IMG]
     
  13. Nov 25, 2008 #13
    einsteins

    einsteins Experienced Reefkeeper

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    Actually you enter your current parameters....then below that you enter your desired parameter, then below that you select the product that you want to use to raise the parameter to the desired number you put in.

    Then at the bottom of the calculator you click on the appropriate SUBMIT button and a second window opens up with the amount of the selected product needed to raise your tank to the Desired level.

    Hope that clarifies it for you...

    eins
     
  14. Dec 6, 2008 #14
    gb387

    gb387 Inactive User

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    Excuse me for being so stupid....

    OK, now I have ton tons of reading. Seems that I need a way to dose... in the form of a dosing pump for best results correct?

    I do not have a dosing pump as of yet, that said is there a way I can use just the top off water say every 2-3 days and also add whats needed at the same time? reading on various message boards Limewater comes to mind- Maybe I am way off here!?!?
     
  15. Dec 6, 2008 #15
    gb387

    gb387 Inactive User

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    Excuse me for being so stupid....

    OK, now I have ton tons of reading. Seems that I need a way to dose... in the form of a dosing pump for best results correct?

    I do not have a dosing pump as of yet, that said is there a way I can use just the top off water say every 2-3 days and also add whats needed at the same time? reading on various message boards Limewater comes to mind- Maybe I am way off here!?!?
     
  16. Dec 6, 2008 #16
    kgehrke

    kgehrke Inactive User

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    A drip line will work. Just tie knots in some airline tubing until you get the drip you want. Dosing pumps are $$$. Check your mixed water before throwing it in. You might have a bad batch of Crystals. I have had 2 where the calcium was 300, and the mag was super low too. Good news is that you can get a new bucket if it is bad.
     
  17. Dec 7, 2008 #17
    billbigsbe Clive

    billbigsbe Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    Hey whats up! Give me a call and come over, I have a ton of IV drip bags! Also I have 2part that you can try out. Dave
     
  18. Dec 7, 2008 #18
    gb387

    gb387 Inactive User

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    Posted By billbigsbe1 on 12/07/2008 08:31 AM
    Hey whats up! Give me a call and come over, I have a ton of IV drip bags! Also I have 2part that you can try out. Dave This is kind of a busy week, for me.  I would like to stop by sometime maybe later in the week?  Is that possible?  
     
  19. Dec 8, 2008 #19
    h2so4hurts

    h2so4hurts Inactive User

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    Yes, IVs work great. I got a ton from a medical supply place for cheap. You could also spend 5x as much on a Kent Auqa dose, or 10x as much on a set of dosing pumps.
     

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