Still trying to get it right

[claire7275]

--New 90g with lr from an established tank--no other tankmates yet
pH--8.3
Amm--0
Trites--0
Trates--50+
Calc--350
Temp--75 (Heater not working properly--getting 4x130 watt Current PowerCompact Orbit Extreme by Sunday--I'm guessing that will raise the temp)
Salinity/sg (using hydrometer) 1.022.
Top off with RO water daily
My salinity/sg has been at 1.028--guess I lowered in a little too much with this last RO water change (about 10 gallons)
Why are my nitrates high, I did test the RO water and it tested about 10ppm. ??????
I also seem to have trouble with the salt dissolving in my 30gallon trash can. Is there a problem with boiling RO water and adding the salt to help dissolve it? For example 2.5 cups for a 5 gallon bucket of RO then put it in the 30 gallon can to keep mixing.I have 2 ph's circulating the water.
Any advice
Thanks,
Claire

 

[baloo6969]

CF bulbs wont raise your temp...unless you put them 1/2 inch from water and put the ballast on the glass(to sink the heat off it)
u should have +2 heaters for 1 tank...incase one dies you have a back up running...I dont know the rule of thumb as far as how many watts per gall.

 

[baloo6969]

as far as the salt not disolving...u should let the water circulate for 12 hours...giving it a manual stir to break up any Chunks...
boiling, your water at +60 degrees should be able to disolve that much salt without a problem...so dont waist your time boiling it...just stir it and stir it.

 

[earlybird]

It's not helping that your RO water has nitrates. I'd notify the place that you purchase from and ask them how often they change their filters. I'd find a new place to buy water. Nitrates could also be high from excess/over feeding or from crushed coral, bio balls, or any other type of filtration media that has not been cleaned.

 

[hatessushi]

I have a 90 gallon tank and using a 300 watt titanium heater only connected to an aquarium controller so the temp thermometer is separate. It's a Jalli heater and very reliable.

 

[claire7275]

Thanks for the responses. The RO water comes from a unit I bought when someone was breaking down a tank. Could the nitrates be coming from the filters needing to be replaced?
My LFS is telling me that he is worried that I might have to get a chiller with the lights I'm getting. That's why I haven't added anything to the tank. I want to see what the lights are going to to.
The small dusters and mushrooms that came on the lr all seem to be doing OK at the current temp. Please keep the info and ideas coming--they are really appreciated.
Claire

 

[reefforbrains]

Is the salt from ***** in the Blue bag? Sometimes it disolves horribly slow.
But a PH left to move some water around will do it just fine. Just might take more time.
Should be crystal clear next day with any brand. If not then check your refractor or Hydro. Going extreme on your salinity by faulty Hygrometer can make dissolving salt a pain too.
5 watts per gallon for heaters is good rule of thumb. Someone else mentioned having 2 as a built in saftey. That is wise advice. 2 Smaller heaters can do the job no problem. Also if something goes south, then one wont boil the tank if it decides to forget its therm setting.
Trates could be just coming from the rock being disturbed. I woud wait and recheck a few times and see if everything takes it course naturally. What does your raw tap test at? having nitrates in your water straight from tap is icky to say the least. If RO isnt catching either the filters are ready for recplacing, OR you have insanly high from tap.

 

[coachklm]

number
1. check the expiration date on the test kit.
2. Do 1x 10% water change every week or 5 days for 3 weeks
3. Change filters on RO/DI
4. You shouldnt need a chiller
I have 4x96w pc bulbs about 2" from water surface in a 40g and havent used a heater in 6 months.