been up for 2 years am i doing ok?

[aaronbaker1]

ok i have 4 small fish and 9 soft corals in a 46 gallon bow front. my chemicals are good i think they are nitrate 2.5 to 5.0, phosphate 0.25 to 0, ph 7.8 ro 8 roughly, nitrite 0, ammonia 0, kh is good, calcium is great, and alkalinity is 300. i have a ten gallon sump with carbon and regular filter pads and 8 pounds of live rock, a typhoon skimmer, three pumps including the flow from the sump, and 43 pounds of live rock. everything seems to be doing ok but the tank takes its spells.

[reidcrandall]

I think that's a pretty subjective question. Do you feel like you are doing well and are you enjoying doing it? I think that's really the most important part.

[xJake]

The answer to your question is relative to your own personal experiences, and I don't think anyone on RC can accurately judge how 'successful' you've been when 'success' itself cannot even be truly defined. Personally, I have a few concerns about your tank, and hopefully you can help fill in the details.

First, kH is a method of measuring alkalinity, but if you're alkalinity is "300" (which I'll assume to be ppm or mg/L) then that converts to about 16.75 dKH or about 6 meq/L - which is a dangerously high level. Second, "Great" doesn't tell me anything about your calcium (post the actual measurement). Finally, your pH is lower than normal and even lower for what you claim your alkalinity to be - the ideal pH range being 7.9-8.3.

Also, try posting some photos. People generally respond better when they can somewhat experience your tank for themselves.

[d2mini]

Are you sure about your Alk? 300 ppm is off the charts high.
Should be around 150.
Or did you mean 3.0 meq/l?

[aaronbaker1]

well i feel taht i am doing good finally but i guess i wanted snother opinion

[aaronbaker1]

well i feel taht i am doing good finally but i guess i wanted snother opinion

[aaronbaker1]

you have to understand i don't buy the best test kits and the best salt and the best filter media but i try to keep everything healthy. and i do have an ro water filter so the water i use is clean.

[aaronbaker1]

i use the API master reef and salt water test kits to test my water

[aaronbaker1]

my alk is between 150 and 300 by the color on the strip

[dwd5813]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14087949#post14087949 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aaronbaker1
i use the API master reef and salt water test kits to test my water
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14087992#post14087992 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aaronbaker1
my alk is between 150 and 300 by the color on the strip


does not compute.

are you using the master kits or the 5in1 strips?

[aaronbaker1]

sorry i use api master reef snd salt water and for alk i use fresh and salt water jungle strips. i never looked at the lable thats soundsd pretty stupid. i need to get a good test for alkalinity

[dwd5813]

kh=alkalinity

[aaronbaker1]

well when i bought the test kit it did not say that sp there is no reason to get smart

[dwd5813]

you're offended that i pointed out that kh=alkalinity? okay. well, good luck with things.

[aaronbaker1]

ok i am not offended im sorry if i made you mad. from the test kit i have my kh is good 8 to 10 drops and it is 9 drops. ok sorry if i was mean i did not knoe that kh was alkalinity