tomato clown
Member
Since we sold our 125, my wife decided she wanted to keep the 36gal. this way we had "something" (not to mention it's been with us for years now)
Anyway, The tank has been cycled, kept up and all that jazz. Lately I've had a problem with anything staying alive in it so I decided to buy new test kits and go to town.
I've been using tap water as a top off, yes that changes as of now I rather spend the $0.60 for a gallon of the proper water at the store. All my tests are good except the No3 Nitrates, they are literally off the chart reading over 160ppm. This explains all the hair algea growth. Noticeing livestock dieing, I did a 20% water change about 6-7 hours ago, I plan on doing more over the weekend also.
Here is the info you'll all ask...
36gal Bowfront
65lbs LR
20lbs LS (crushed coral if i'm correct)
Temp = 82*f
PH = 8.2
Ammonia = 0.25
No2 = 0ppm
No3 = 160ppm+
Ca = extremely low I've been working on that since Wednesday it didn't register on my test, but it was an old kit I haven't bought a new one yet I assume I need it tho with water changes
Now, I want to go back to a reef again, but this is going to take some work before I can think about some new frags.
More info on the set-up...
Filter is a hang-on HOT Magnum canister (I don't use the bio-wheel) It's loaded with a carbon/amonia crystal blend.
Power head is 174GPH, but I have a 300gph handy if needed.
I need to/will be upgrading my lighting prior to corals, I have a standard ballast that comes with a typical tank. My other ballast just took a dive.
Thanks for the help.
Dan
Anyway, The tank has been cycled, kept up and all that jazz. Lately I've had a problem with anything staying alive in it so I decided to buy new test kits and go to town.
I've been using tap water as a top off, yes that changes as of now I rather spend the $0.60 for a gallon of the proper water at the store. All my tests are good except the No3 Nitrates, they are literally off the chart reading over 160ppm. This explains all the hair algea growth. Noticeing livestock dieing, I did a 20% water change about 6-7 hours ago, I plan on doing more over the weekend also.
Here is the info you'll all ask...
36gal Bowfront
65lbs LR
20lbs LS (crushed coral if i'm correct)
Temp = 82*f
PH = 8.2
Ammonia = 0.25
No2 = 0ppm
No3 = 160ppm+
Ca = extremely low I've been working on that since Wednesday it didn't register on my test, but it was an old kit I haven't bought a new one yet I assume I need it tho with water changes
Now, I want to go back to a reef again, but this is going to take some work before I can think about some new frags.
More info on the set-up...
Filter is a hang-on HOT Magnum canister (I don't use the bio-wheel) It's loaded with a carbon/amonia crystal blend.
Power head is 174GPH, but I have a 300gph handy if needed.
I need to/will be upgrading my lighting prior to corals, I have a standard ballast that comes with a typical tank. My other ballast just took a dive.
Thanks for the help.
Dan