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HighlandReef
09/27/2006, 07:47 PM
Hi!
I need some help getting my params square!
My PH and Mag seem a little low?
Its a 210 fowlr, i have done 2 - 50 gallon water changes in the last week w/coralife salt

ammonia 0
nitrite 0
nitrate 5
ph 8.0
alk 9
mag 1000
temp 80
salt 1.024

What do you guys think?
If you need anymore info let me know.
Thanks!
Billybeau1
09/27/2006, 08:02 PM
I dont see calcium mentioned in your post. Coralife salt is high in Calcium.

Mag is low.

How does your tank look ? Having problems ?

Here are the recommended parameters
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.htm
HighlandReef
09/27/2006, 08:36 PM
forgot to post ca, its 420

tank seems to be doing ok but coraline growth seems very slow or maybe not at all?
Ralph ATL
09/27/2006, 08:46 PM
I know that I am naive, but if you only have a fish only tank with live rock, why are you concerned about mag, alk, & calcium? There might be more inexpensive ways to add enough for coraline algae??
Billybeau1
09/27/2006, 09:09 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8235713#post8235713 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mysterybox
I know that I am naive, but if you only have a fish only tank with live rock, why are you concerned about mag, alk, & calcium? There might be more inexpensive ways to add enough for coraline algae??

And that would be ?
HighlandReef
09/27/2006, 09:12 PM
I want to switch over to a reef tank but not till i get this stuff down...
Billybeau1
09/27/2006, 09:24 PM
Well if you want to switch to a reef than read (print out) this article

Reef Water Parameters
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.htm

That means get your mag up a little, and your sg up to 1.026 or so. :)
HighlandReef
09/27/2006, 10:24 PM
Thanks!
Do you guys recommend a mag supplement? Never had to use one before.
Billybeau1
09/28/2006, 08:59 AM
Randy's got a homemade recipe but I use Kent Tech-M.
HighlandReef
09/28/2006, 09:22 AM
Thanks Guys!
I have a ph swing going on and not sure what to do, I checked all my params listed above and my PH was 8.0 last night.
I woke up this morning and my PH is 6.1 :eek2:
I know that ph can drop when the lights are off but dropping from 8.0 to 6.1 seems like alot?
I just noticed it cause i hooked up my ph monitor yesterday, I made sure to calibrate correctly so I dont think it is the monitor.
Randy Holmes-Farley
09/28/2006, 10:16 AM
That pH of 6.1 is an error. In no case would an aquarium drop that much. :)

This article has more:

Low pH: Causes and Cures
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/index.htm


and

Measuring pH with a Meter
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2004/chem.htm

A Comparison of pH Calibration Buffers
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-02/rhf/index.htm


Some pH meters are impacted by electrical interference from big lights. Try measuring a cup of water in another room.