How are my levels?

fgcu14

fgcu14

Member
I just got some new test kits so how are these peramiters? If there is anything I need to do any help would be great! My stock list includes 2percs, 1LM Blenny, 2 damsels, yellow polyps, a frag of xenia, and a frag of frog spawn.
Paramiters are as follows:
Alk-3.6
PO4-0.5
Ca-350ppm
 
frankthetank

frankthetank

Active Member
Phosphate is a little high. Could put some phosphate remover in your filter for a couple weeks to take care of that. Or double your water changes for a few weeks, but if your phosphate is high it might be coming from your water.
I like running my calcium in the 400s... but I have never had to do anything to achieve this... seems to be natural with tropic marin salt.
I don't know much about alk... I just recently got an alk test kit. I'm still learning about it.
What are your ammonia, trites, and trates?
 
aztec reef

aztec reef

Active Member
Originally Posted by fgcu14
what are ideal levels for alk, Ca, and Phosphates?
alk 8- 12 dkh,
calcium 400- 450
phosphates 0
 
fgcu14

fgcu14

Member
Ok so I did a water change and just got done testing and all of my levels sky rocketed whats going on here?!?!? here are the results:
Ca:350ppm
Ph:7.8
PO4:
Alk:3.6
Amonia:.5
Nitrates:80 :scared:
Nitrites:.25
 
fgcu14

fgcu14

Member
my tank is nearly 6 months old. Nothing Has died and seems to be in great shape. My water, I am using water from the garden hose...j/k...I have a pur water filter in my kitchen and I use filtered water.
I do not see why my water would have any diffrence in why my trates spiked like that. I have been using the same stuff all 6 months of existance, and for it to happen now?
 
fgcu14

fgcu14

Member
I was thinking that so I went ahead and changed the filter and started another batch of salt water. It is currently mixing and should be ready tomorrow.
 
fgcu14

fgcu14

Member
ok...after two 5gal water changes my levels are now:
ph-7.8
amonia-.5
trites-.25
trates-20
Ca-300ppm
PO4-.5
Alk-3.6
What can I do to raise my Ph to 8.2 and my Ca to 400s? I have another 5 gal mixing and will do another water change tomorrow.
 
rappa

rappa

Member
It seems like those numbers represent your tank going through a cycle. New tank syndrome??? Anyone else know for sure?
 
fgcu14

fgcu14

Member
My tank cannot be cycling I have not added anything new to my tank that would start a cycle since the begining of my tank well over 6 months ago.
 
rappa

rappa

Member
Poisoning the bacteria with chlorinated water changes or sudden temperature changes can also set the cycling process back to day one. You said you are just using a water filter. I don't know what you are using for a water filter, but I don't think they usually capture chlorine. I'm not a pro by any means, but looking at the ammonia and trite present in your tank, it appears to be cycling. Someone please step in if I am wrong. Thanks
 
fgcu14

fgcu14

Member
If I decide to make the switch to RO is the damage already done? or can I just gradually change over by using RO in my water changes?
 
rappa

rappa

Member
You should change over to RO definitely. But your damage is done. You are cycling. Just watch your levels and if they get higher, then water changes. Hopefully the ammonia and trite will settle and you will be left with trate. Then the cycle is almost over. Hopefully you won't lose anything. Keep an eye on your animals as well for stress.
 
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