help, new to site

[turbo4603]

+2 on what vamp said, bioballs that are that old and established in your tank, and problably have never been replaced partially, i would say thats were your nitrates are coming from!

[kwc]

OK,. got the other tests today results:

pH: 8.4
Salinity: .021
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 20
Alk: 10 dkh
Ca: 520
Phosphates PO4: 0

In 16 years never did all the tests. Just changed water based on what my fish told me. So...I am pretty happy with the #s above although I still havn't gotten any corals to live. So based on your advice below I have mixed up another 15 gallons to raise my salinity and hopefully lower the Nitrate and Ca and pH ???

If this doesn't work I will replace the bioballs with cured live rock.

A little uncomfortable with changing too much, too fast, never added any chemicals to my water and averaged water changes monthly with just fish and live rock no tests or anything so I guess I am a beginner after 16 years.

Am I on track, any other recomendations? Anyone?

Thanks so much for the advice!

You folks rock
kwc

[turbo4603]

Youk now your stuff on a fish only tank, but the reefing world is a bit more diferent. You could still use the visual mode to determine your nitrates nitrite and amonia, but as for ph, alkalinity, magnesium, calcium, you need to test the water. You are definitely in the right track. If your gonna establish a reef tank, i would raise the salinity just a tad bit. Have it around .024-.026. Your calcium has to drop to somewere around the 420-460. Ph is not bad. Its right there. Mine usually is at 8.3-8.4. I have had luck with it like that no problem.
But you are doing the right thing by asking. Reefing is only dificult if you dont research and ask question.

[kwc]

The fish are lovin life!Their fins are out and they are very bright.
Got it on testing. Do you test daily weekly or monthly and what is the most efficient method. Too many drops!

[turbo4603]

Well, i test calcium 2 times a week, ph every other day, the rest i do when i need to know how the water is.

[kwc]

After doing a 15 gal water change on my 40gal my readins this morning are:

pH: 8.4
Salinity: .018 ( must've mixed my water light, can I just add salt to the water through the pump?)
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0
Alk: 11 dkh (how do I get this lowered? Must be in our tap water)
Ca: 560 (how do I lower this? Must be in our tap water)
Phosphates PO4: 0


Tank looks really good, fish love it, hope corals do. What is the best coral or reef stuff to start with? Already have 6 horny toad crabs(2 months), 7 snails (2 months), blemmy(6 months), 2 tangs (2 years), tomato clown(8 months), and damsel (2 years)

Thanks!
kwc

[turbo4603]

Okay, i just caught a big nono, DONT USE TAP WATER!!!!
Using Reverse Osmosis water will really help out the tank. Salt is very low for corals. Yes you can add it to the tank, but try to drop it into a high current area in your sump, but not in you main tank if possible. Also dont aim to raise the salinity all at once. When mixing salt, i also recomend you mix 24hr. before you us in your tank, and test for salinity before adding. Even when you buy the salt water already made from a fishstore. I had a small mishap were the local fishstore gave me ro water instead of salt, and i mad my 15gallon water change thinking it was salt, with ro. Nothing died, but it made me realize the importance to always check the water before entering it into the tank.

[kwc]

OK, no tap water and I'll start adding more salt this evening. The tank looks good. I really appreciate yur time and help. How long before I can put something else in and what is the easiest coral to try first?

Thanks!
kwc

[turbo4603]

Ok, once you raise your salinity to 1.024-1.026, i would try to work with droping the calcium level.
Easy corals to start out with are Mushrooms, Green star polyps, Xenias, Zoos. Those are real nice beginner corals.
Before adding anything, please tell me whjat fish you have, inverts and lights. Then i can be real specific from there.

[kwc]

How do I drop the calcium level?

Currently I have 6 horny toad crabs(2 months), 7 snails (2 months), blemmy(6 months), 2 tangs (2 years), tomato clown(8 months), and damsel (2 years). 30lbs of lrock and 15lbs of argenite/ls mix

Thanks!
kwc