advocate777
02/13/2013, 03:40 PM
I started a new 75 gallon tank almost 8 weeks ago. It has live rock in it and some 'clean-up crew' which I got (live rock and clean up crew) from Tampa Bay Saltwater.
The test kit: Instant Ocean
Water: R0/DI
Salt mix: Instant Ocean
Okay, the tank cycled great. Ammonia levels have been O
Issue #1: the specific gravity/salinity (measured both by a refractometer and a typical fish store hydrometer)
A.) the Refractometer always reads lower than the Hydrometers (I actually use 2 hydrometers and they come out pretty close to one another)
For instance, on Dec. 23rd the Hydrometer read 1.023 and the Refractometer read 1.020
The salinity has steadily been rising.
Today, the Refractometer read 1.030 and the Hydrometer 1.30
Question: how do I bring the salinity down to acceptable range?
Issue #2
The ph today, measured for the first time since the tank was set up 8 weeks ago, measured under 7.8 because that is the lowest color on the scale.
The alkalinity, measured for the first time since the tank was set up today, measured 100 ppm or 5.6 Dkh
Question: how do I fix that?
Last issue:
I have a nice eheim water heater. But I have had some difficulty keeping the temperature consistent. In the last 8 weeks it has ranged between a low of 73 to a high of 81. There are glass covers on the tank top and the lights rest on that - gets hot....if I keep the heater on the tank gets to 78-80 range but if I turn off the heater it drops down to 73-75 range. I know we are looking to get a consistent range and not have daily drops of 78 to 73. Plus, the room the tank is in has inconsistent heat in that it is cold up here in Pennsylvania now and when the heat is cranking this room is toasty but when the heat is off it gets chilly - the room itself is hard to keep a consistent temperature in.
Question: any feedback would be great
The test kit: Instant Ocean
Water: R0/DI
Salt mix: Instant Ocean
Okay, the tank cycled great. Ammonia levels have been O
Issue #1: the specific gravity/salinity (measured both by a refractometer and a typical fish store hydrometer)
A.) the Refractometer always reads lower than the Hydrometers (I actually use 2 hydrometers and they come out pretty close to one another)
For instance, on Dec. 23rd the Hydrometer read 1.023 and the Refractometer read 1.020
The salinity has steadily been rising.
Today, the Refractometer read 1.030 and the Hydrometer 1.30
Question: how do I bring the salinity down to acceptable range?
Issue #2
The ph today, measured for the first time since the tank was set up 8 weeks ago, measured under 7.8 because that is the lowest color on the scale.
The alkalinity, measured for the first time since the tank was set up today, measured 100 ppm or 5.6 Dkh
Question: how do I fix that?
Last issue:
I have a nice eheim water heater. But I have had some difficulty keeping the temperature consistent. In the last 8 weeks it has ranged between a low of 73 to a high of 81. There are glass covers on the tank top and the lights rest on that - gets hot....if I keep the heater on the tank gets to 78-80 range but if I turn off the heater it drops down to 73-75 range. I know we are looking to get a consistent range and not have daily drops of 78 to 73. Plus, the room the tank is in has inconsistent heat in that it is cold up here in Pennsylvania now and when the heat is cranking this room is toasty but when the heat is off it gets chilly - the room itself is hard to keep a consistent temperature in.
Question: any feedback would be great