test results for my 35gal cube

[mattgeezer]

hi i just picked up one of those master test kits from hagen , okay im needing some advice on the results that i got as im regretting wagging chemistry class in high school lol

nh4-0.5
po4-0.25
ca-600ppm
ph-8.3
fe-0
no3-0
kh3-140ppms
no2-0

okay im thinking 600ppms for calcium is over how do i lower this (if needed).
and lastly ,how often do my fellow 3reefers test their tanks

cheers
matt

[Birchell]

your ammonia (nh4) is alittle high, and your calcium is way to high, . It should be around 350-450. What kinda water do you use? and are you suplementing anything?? I test my nano one a month or when the xenia start looking bad, but it has been running for almost a year. And I test the 100 every week, and it has been running alittle over a month so I want to make sure everything is working right, . Im not to sure on how to lower you calcium, mybe do a water change?? Ive never had a problem with mine. Someone eles will have to help you there. Hope this helps,

Michael

[mattgeezer]

hi michael, yeah the calcium thing has been on my mind ,as i use tap water , prepare w/ salt ,airstone,dechlorinator heat to 24.5c and add ..my house is nearly 100yrs old, and my lfs told me to dose calcium and use a phosphate sponge(ceramic medium in ladies stocking in waterflow in tank) to keep down the algae . well my belief is and dont quote me on this but phosphate depreciates calcium ??!!, thats what i got told from my lfs .. for the last 12mths ive been taking my water twice a month for testing and i get all okay but they always comment on the little bit of NH4 and phosphates .. i do my best to try not to overfeed as i use a syringe (no needle) to feed and they always eat it all , everything else seems to be okay

[mattgeezer]

okay done some research on calcium. i have virtually been overdosing thinking of putting some more corals in and see if my calcium depreciates to more of a sensible level .. or does anyone else have any ideas

ive tested it twice its a new test kit got the same reading both times

[amcarrig]

Just let it ride. Absolutely do not add any calcium to the tank or any supplements that contain calcium such as Purple Up or similar products or you could have a preciptation event. The coralline algae will eventually suck the calcium out of the water so no need to add corals at this point in time. Keep testing your alk and calcium periodically and post the results as they drop.

[jtReef]

I agree.
Just let the calcium ride and it will slowly come down.
As far as testing your tank I believe everyone tests differently based on the age and experience of their tanks. On my old 75 I went about 6 months and only tested Salinity and Calcium. Now that I have the new 180 i'm testing every weekend because of everything I'm adding. I'm sure I will slowly change the frequency as the tank matures.

Like Birchell said he tests when zenia start looking bad. = experience.
I test when my monster brain (the one in the pic) when it is not fully opening up during the day and the feeding tentacles are not fully extended.

You will find that when your water is not perfect some coral will react quicker than others thus letting you know visually the health of your tank.

Hope this helps.

Ill start a poll on this for you as well.

[mattgeezer]

thanks guys you rocki was stressing a bit when i first tested it usually something high in the tank is bad. thanks for the advice

[mattgeezer]

did another test today the results are as follows (note the ca has dropped a bit)
no3: 0

no4: 0

nh3: 0

ca :520ppm

ph: 8.3

temp :25c