Are these readings for my SW tank good?

Discussion in 'Water Chemistry' started by ScubaBrett22, Apr 8, 2010.

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  1. ScubaBrett22

    ScubaBrett22 Fire Shrimp

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    I took a few water tests of my tank and this is what i got.

    High Range pH = 7.8

    Nitrate (NO
    3) = 160 ppm (mg/L)

    Nitrate (NO-2) = 0 ppm (mg/L)

    Ammonia (NH3/ NH+4) = 0.25 ppm (mg/L)

    Salinity PPT = 26

    Specific Gravity = 1.019

    is this a good range?
     
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  3. 4phish

    4phish Montipora Digitata

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    I belive your PH could go up a little. I keep mine at 8.3-8.4.
     
  4. irr0001

    irr0001 Purple Tang

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    eh...all in all..no..lol

    pH should come up to 8.2 or so

    nitrates are ridiculously high. FOWLR can be around 50 while reef settings should ideally be less than 5.

    There should be no traces of ammonia

    May want to bump the SG up to 1.021-1.025

    Edit: What kind of filtration do you have? my guess is some sort of mechanical that needs to be cleaned
     
  5. ScubaBrett22

    ScubaBrett22 Fire Shrimp

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    Ya i added a buffer to help it jump up but i am more worried over the other stuff cause i lost a few inverts my Emerlad Crab, Arrow Crab, and Blue Star... and wounder if my levels are off?
     
  6. ScubaBrett22

    ScubaBrett22 Fire Shrimp

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    how do i lower the Nitrates? and ammonia?
     
  7. irr0001

    irr0001 Purple Tang

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    water changes..less feedings..protein skimmer..lots of live rock..good flow

    the bacteria in your tank should take care of the ammonia...how long has it been running?
     
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  9. Night-Rida

    Night-Rida Finback Whale

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    alot of problems here! ph is low, but nitrates =160pm! wow... ammonia and salinity too... for a reef tank heres what you want:

    Temp 76-80
    Salinity SG = 1.024-1.026
    nitrate= 0-20ppm 40ppm max
    nitrite=0
    ammonia=0
    ph=8.0-8.3
    calcium=400-500
    phos=0
    mag=1200-1500ppm
    dkh=8-12

    you need to do a 50% water change to get those nitrates cut in half to 80ppm. and make sure your new saltwater is a little high 1.026.. then do another 50% WC in a couple days and the same a few days after that. your nitrates should be close to 20-40ppm then. make sure you get all the poop/uneaten food from sand/CC/gravel sucked out each water change..

    is there anything alive in that tank besides fish?
     
  10. ScubaBrett22

    ScubaBrett22 Fire Shrimp

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    just about 2 years... we don't feed them a lot 2 times a week and where would i put a protein skimmer on my Biocube?
     
  11. Night-Rida

    Night-Rida Finback Whale

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    some biocubes come with internal skimmers, I know they sell them. if you have any filters, make sure you clean those alot. something is holding those nitrates in that tank.
     
  12. ScubaBrett22

    ScubaBrett22 Fire Shrimp

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    Yes i have Button Polups, a Silver muricea Gorgonia, red mushrooms, Cup Coral, toadstool mushroom leather, Hard tube coco worm, Chili coral and a Elegance coral.