Typical Saltwater...

Discussion in 'Algae' started by Z-Ice, Feb 18, 2008.

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  1. Tangster

    Tangster 3reef Sponsor

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    Algae is all part of ant new system and if you have a newer system then its a few months or yr to go.. Low Ca and Carbonates hell allow algae to grow as do temps and light bulbs and NO3 and PO4. This is why I'd tell anyone to avoid many algae pit falls just cycle the system long and slow and get the levels of Alk and Ca and Mag up and steady and no lights then you won't have these problems . As for the amount of snails you now have not near enough.. I dumped will over 400 to 500 of a mix of snails into out 180 over the cycling time before lights came on for the first time.
     
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  3. Z-Ice

    Z-Ice Flamingo Tongue

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    do it to it

    Well like I said, hook me up! :cheesy: I will have the snails swimming by the time my baby cardinals are out of the breeder cage!

    Zak


     
  4. Z-Ice

    Z-Ice Flamingo Tongue

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    Level Update

    I bought individual test kits for Nitrate and Nitrite. Before I used those multi-test single dip stick. :eek:

    Results
    Nitrate: 0 ppm
    Nitrite: 0.25 ppm


    Zak
     
  5. amcarrig

    amcarrig Super Moderator

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    OK, once nitrites start to fall, you can expect your nitrates to rise then drop. Looks like you're on the back end of a cycle so just bide your time for the time being :)
     
  6. Z-Ice

    Z-Ice Flamingo Tongue

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    Final results


    I got my Mg test kit!!!!

    Mg: 965
    Ca: 330 ppm
    PO4: 0.0 ppm or (0.1)
    PH: 8.2
    KH: 3.5 deg


    So should I add calcium and Magnesium? Will Purple Up help?

    Thanks,
    Zak
     
  7. amcarrig

    amcarrig Super Moderator

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    You definitely need to add calcium, magnesium and buffer to raise your levels. I would add the magnesium first until you get a reading of about 1400 ppm. Once that's stable, start adding calcium and buffer slowly (add one element, wait a few hours then add the other and keep repeating until you get a calcium reading of about 500 ppm and a KH of about ????)....any idea what your alkalinity is in dKH? I can never figure out how to get the dkh reading from a KH number :)

    Forget the Purple Up for the time being. Like I mentioned earlier, it's got iodine in it which can fuel algae.
     
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  9. Z-Ice

    Z-Ice Flamingo Tongue

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    times

    How fast should I raise the Mg? The instructions say not more than 25 mg/l a day? It is going to take me just shy of 3 months to raise it? How much can I actually do? When I dissolve 1 teaspoon of this, it should raise my level 5 mg/l. I have to gain over 400 mg/l! I pour this dissolved solution in my sump by my return pump.

    Can I go faster?

    Thanks,
    Zak
    [​IMG]
     
  10. amcarrig

    amcarrig Super Moderator

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    Yes, you can go faster but only do so with the magnesium. You'll want to add calcium and buffer a little slower when the time comes. I add all of my supplements to the sump :)
     
  11. Z-Ice

    Z-Ice Flamingo Tongue

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    the addition

    I added like 4 teaspoons to freshwater(RO/DI) and placed it in my sump a couple times one day. After that I said forget it. I added the 22 teaspoons to my ATO reserve water.

    Thus far, I have 30 teaspoons raising my level 5 ppm per teaspoon. So from 965 I need to go to 1400. That is 435. Already added 150 ppm.

    I need to add an additional 57 teaspoons to my ATO water. Damn that is a lot! This is pretty much the whole bottle!!!

    I also added 10 teaspoons of calcium. I will wait on the rest.(once Mg is done)

    Zak
     
    Last edited: Feb 26, 2008
  12. missionsix

    missionsix Super Moderator Staff Member

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    I am having the same problem with calcium except it's too high. I knew I needed a mag. test. I'll keep watch on this post.
     
    Last edited: Feb 26, 2008