Comment on my Water Test Results

[superwade2]

I still consider myself a SW Newbie having just setup my tank in January... I had been lax on my water testing over the past few weeks and had time today (not working today, thanks to all American Service men and women, past and present

) and decided to run all the Salifert tests that I have...
Here are my particulars;
Equipment:
46 Gal Bowfront
~80lbs Live Rock
~50lbs Live Sand
36" 2x96W Coralife LUNAR Aqualight Deluxe - 1x Actinic and 1x 10,000K, 2x 3/4W Blue LEDs
AquaC Remora Pro Skimmer
(2) MaxiJet 1200 Powerheads
Livestock:
(5) Blue/Green Chromis
(2) Ocellaris Clowns
(1) Royal Gramma
(3)? Peppermint Shrimp (have only ever seen 2 at once since adding a couple months ago)
(2)? Emerald Crabs (Havn't seen both in quite a while either)
(x)? Scarlet/Blue Legged Hermits (Had about 20, not sure how many are still arround
(x)? Snails - (Had a few (5-10) of 3 or 4 different kinds, not sure right now how many are in there)
Bullseye Mushroom
Yellow Colony Polyp
Button Polyp
Here were my water test results from today :
Salinity : 1.025
Temp : 79F
Ammonia : 0
Nitrate : <5
Nitrite : 0
PH : 8.1-8.2
Copper : 0
Calcium : 420-440
ALK : 2.5695 meq/L (Salifert says target of 2.9meq/L)
KH : 7.2 dKH (Salifert says target of 8 dKH)
Magnesium : 1170ppm (Salifert says target of 1300-1500)
I think my ALk/KH and Magnesium are all a little low... I have recently (2-3 20% water changes ago) changed to Tropic Marin Pro-Reef salt mix...I use RO/DO Water only, and have since setting up the tank... I've had quite a bit of green algea buildup, but not sure if that is still a result of overfeeding, to long of light cycle (I think some natural light might be hitting the tank with some window/blinds being open during the day), or what...nothing out of hand, but maybe a little more than average.
Are my ALK/KH/MAG numbers far enough off that I should be concerned, and if so, does anyone have any suggestions on a potential course of action to remedy...
Thanks in Advance,
SW2

 

[a&m aggie 04']

your alk and mag are a little low but its nothing to be terribly worried about. Do bi-weekly water changes and you shouldnt have any problems. Can you describe this "green algae" in more detail? ie...is it on the rock, glass, sand, etc?
MD

 

[superwade2]

Mostly Glass... but also on powerheads, skimmer pump, etc... fairly bright green, and not terribly "hairy"... I think a few of my snails that had been munching pretty well on it may have become Hermit Dinners, so I think I need to restock my cleaning crew with a few more snails...
Here are a couple shots of the stuff that I couldn't reach real well without moving my LR...
SW2

 

[a&m aggie 04']

just making sure it wasnt hair algae you were talking about. That certainly could be due to natural light hitting your tank but its not a big problem. You could add some alk buffer to slightly raise your ALK...I use baked baking soda to raise mine.

 

[superwade2]

Originally Posted by A&M Aggie 04'
just making sure it wasnt hair algae you were talking about. That certainly could be due to natural light hitting your tank but its not a big problem. You could add some alk buffer to slightly raise your ALK...I use baked baking soda to raise mine.
How much Baking Soda should I use, and how would I add in?
SW2

 

[dogstar]

I agree Alk is a little low, just keep doing water changes. Tropic marin is a good salt and should bring all back in line soon. Test phodphates too, they do feed algae and can come from overfeeding.