New tank test results

My tank in coming up on 2 weeks now. I had a quick spike in ammonia the second day (1.5) after the live rock went in and a 0 nitrate. Nitrates have gone from 0 to 10 in this time. Phosphates are 0 Nitrites ar <0.3 Carbonate hardness is 8 PH is 7.7 . I am concerned about calcium it is way high over 600 at this time. It appears things are going well. I had a bunch of brown algea that seems to be slowing down and making way for red and green algea.

Is this a good start? Should I be concerned about the calcium level. All the water I have used has come from the LFS (I have done 2 50% water changes). I have been increasing my lights on time a littel every 3rd day by 15 minutes. I started at 6 hours per day and will increase till I get to 10-11 hours. Is this a good idea?

All help and suggestions are greatly appreciated. I am going slow and just unsure if things are progressing correctly. It seems the more I read in books and online the more different answers and opinions you get.

I have a 34 gallon red sea set up with 43 pounds of live rock and 40 pounds of live sand.

Thanks

Tony G

 

why have you done a WC already? 600 ppm for calcium is abit high you want to aim for about 450ppm. what is your alk? water salt are you using? you shouldnt have any nitrates. you want you po4 to be .04 or below. what water are you using?

 

I personally think 50 water changes is too much I would drop it 10 to 15 % as you could start a mini cycle with that much new water and are you toppomg off with fresh rodi. or just doing a change and calling it a day? whats is your salinity @?

 

water change

I changed the water because I thought I had to. Was told by friend in the saltwater world to change the water at about the 3rd day and again on the 7th. Some of the information I found online also said to do "frequent" water changes at first. Should I not have done this? Did I hurt anything??

what is po4??? Sorry still learning the terms and words.

Tony G

 

salt

Salt at 1.024 Did not do an alk test today.

Tony G

 

yeah you need to do water changes I was just saying not 50% changes

p04 is phosphates, ca calcium alk alkalinity mg or mag magnesium and someone please fill in the rest I am brain farting right now.

 

you can test for the others now to get in practice but they will not change as in alk ca and mag. the ones that will are phos nitrates and nitrites and ammonia those will change with the cycling. but it is good to start now as you will have a better feel for it once you do start adding live stock.

 

I think your calcium levels will drop off a bit as your raise your pH. Shoot for 8.10-8.25 the less acidic the water the less calcium it will hold. Also, what's the tank temperature?

My tank did the same thing, I mixed up my salt and tested it right away and it had a low pH and high calcium.

Also, AFAIC (as far as I'm concerned) the only reason to do a 50% water change is if you have a toxic release into the tank or are using a medication that calls for large water changes. Stick with 10-15% as regular maintenance. I do 25% when I siphon out cyano, just because that's how long it takes.... otherwise regular weekly 10-15% will keep a tank healthy and happy.

-Doug

 

water temp

My water at testing time was 78. It does go higher at time usually after the light has been on. Sometimes as high as 86. My chiller will not be here until Friday or Saturday. Did not want to buy a chiller just yet but I thought it would be best to just take the plunge. I figure it will be for the best in the long term.

 

AFAIC (as far as I'm concerned) the only reason to do a 50% water change is if you have a toxic release into the tank or are using a medication that calls for large water changes. Stick with 10-15% as regular maintenance. I do 25% when I siphon out cyano, just because that's how long it takes.... otherwise regular weekly 10-15% will keep a tank healthy and happy.