Water Parameters

[kynekke]

I just got results back from a professional water testing company... I have stunted Xenia growth and dying Zoos. Some of the results are confusing and I'd like some opinions.
Tank :
55 Gallon
20 Gallon Sump/Fuge
Set up : 4/26/07
3-4" LS Bed
60lbs LR
Reef Crystals with 20% water change every 2 weeks
Protein Skimmer added the same day this water was tested
20x water flow
R/O Water
Water Test Summary :
Temp 80
pH 8.2
Ammonia .006 (Listed as Good)
Nitrite .007 (Listed as Good)
Nitrate .9 (Listed as Good)
Phos .18 (Listed as Good)
Silica 1.1 (listed as High) - Where can this be coming from?
Potassium 288 (listed as Low) - Is there an additive for this?
Calcium 258 (listed as Low) - When I once added a calc suppliment my Alk went through the roof =/
Boron 3.5 (Listed as Good)
Molybdenum .1 (Listed as Good)
Stronium 12.6 (listed as High) - Where can this be coming from?
Mangesium 1.088 (listed as Low) - Never seen an additive for this
Iodine .05 (Listed as Good)
Copper .02 (Listed as Good)
Alk 3.29 (Listed as Good)
Livestock :
1 Yellow Tail Damsel
1 False Percs
2 Green Chromis
1 LMB
1 Featherduster
1 Xenia Frag
1 Zoo Frag
GSP
Mushroom Rock
4 Red Legged Hermit
4 Ness Snails
3 Turbo Snails
Any RED FLAGS as to why my corals aren't doing hot? Could it be the Calcium and if so, how do I add calcium without skyrocketing my Alk? BTW.. when I did add calc last and my Alk went to 19.. my Zoo's were amazing! Growing fast, all stretched out and happy but my Xenia shriveled up. It's been since I started using R/O and dropped my Alk that my zoos are dying but my Xenia is still shriveled up.
Ok.. so that's my LONG story... how can I improve my tank?
Thanks!
Tanya

 

[jonthefishguy]

silica and phospate could be your water. dont use just RO but use DI as well. use Kalkwasser for your calcium and if done right it wont make your ALK go through the roof. Magnesium you can use Tech M.

 

[1journeyman]

Honestly, in a 55 gallon, doing weekly water changes of 20%, with that light invert load.... I'd say get a new batch of salt. Your major parameters shouldn't be off.
Things like Stronium, etc. are "trace" elements found in salt mixtures. Look at the ingredient of your salt and you'll see a long list of the various elements.
What is your temp and salinity at? Have you tested for stray current?

 

[reefkprz]

I agree with johns assesment. regular Ro without the di will not remove silicates from your water, you need de-ionization to do that.

 

[kynekke]

Originally Posted by 1journeyman
Honestly, in a 55 gallon, doing weekly water changes of 20%, with that light invert load.... I'd say get a new batch of salt. Your major parameters shouldn't be off.
Things like Stronium, etc. are "trace" elements found in salt mixtures. Look at the ingredient of your salt and you'll see a long list of the various elements.
What is your temp and salinity at? Have you tested for stray current?
Gah.. forgot SG.. it's 1.025 via refractometer. It's water changes every 2 weeks.. should I be doing every week? I'll go get a DI today. I have tested for stray current and do every week... I had a major tank crash in June because of stray current.

 

[1journeyman]

Even every two weeks you are doing well.
I'm stumped. My *guess* is bad batch of salt. Possibly try switching to another brand?

 

[kynekke]

Ok.. IYO should I switch to Instant Ocean with my low number of inverts or stick with Reef Crystals? Do you concur that I need Kalk?