I have test results and need advice.

rkm

rkm

Member
The tank is fairly new. I have 150lbs of LR. Currently the only coral is a few mushrooms. The tank is going through a algae attack at the moment. Mostly diatoms. I put new MH's in and it is taking its tole. The lights are 2 250's 10k.
Here are some water test.
PH 7.7
NO3 25 falling slowly
Ammonia 0
KH 9.0
ALK 3.2
CA 300 +-
PO .1
I have been buffering the PH with Kent Ph Buffer. The tank/sump are a total of 130 gal. I have been adding 4 teaspoons to the system per directions. I have done this on 2 occasions within the last week. I have seen no raise in PH.
The Ca is slowly falling. This I am not sure of. I have a kent 5 gal aqua doser with Kalk in it dripping. I also add a little of liquid calcium by kent every day. Still no raise in CA. steady fall. I think it may have something to do with the KH, and ALK I am very new at maintaing these params. I want to start growing corals. So I am looking to get an idea on how to address the problem, and maintain a good balance.
Please give me some ideas.
 
hirock

hirock

Member

From your readings, you may need to add some Magnesium for the Alk & Calc to become harmonic. Your PH is a bit on the low side, but that varies when you actually did the test. (AM vs. PM) The PO4 reading also glares out as being to high. .1 seems to be a low number on your test kit, but it is enough to keep nuisance algae growing strong. 0.03 or lower is what you’re shooting for. No more than 12 hours of light should be adhered to. Diatoms are a natural/normal occurrence in new systems and should burn out within a few weeks. (Unless your using tap water) A menagerie of clean-up critters would help in keeping certain algae’s in check.
Good Luck :D
 
rkm

rkm

Member
Yes. it is cycled. Everything in it was out of an established tank. Even the filter system. I did add some new LR but it cycled quickly. The tank was without fish for 3-4 weeks. Just to make sure everything was good.
 
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