A Classic Do as I Say and NOT as I do thread....

WarDaddy · 05/11/2008, 11:08 AM

So we all preach TEST TEST TEST the water.

I have not been testing and I am paying...

I have had algae problems, pH issues, generally not thriving corals.

So I busted out the kits...

Ph is 8.3 this morning (will get to 8,6 tonight)
Magnesium is 720
CA is 130
DKh 10.7
Alk 3.8
PO4 not detctable
Nitrate Low looks like 10 (cheap test kit)

So the mission is to raise the MG and CA and hope that pushes pH down.

mlivvy · 05/11/2008, 11:11 AM

that's some really low CA. What kinda salt you using?

WarDaddy · 05/11/2008, 11:14 AM

The kind that has been sitting in the makeup container for 6 weeks waiting for a water change :-(

I am using Instant Ocean I think, but I have not had time to do the water change. It is going to happen today, I hope

rogergolf66 · 05/11/2008, 11:15 AM

what kind of test kit on mag and cal? are you sure they are right?

What do you plan on using to raise the cal? odd that the alk that hi and the cal that low if it was balanced when you stopped testing and now it is so far unbalanced? Well maybe raising the mag also raise the cal as the mag is so low that the cal can't be very high.

not sure how that would lower the ph but keep reporting I am currious to see what happens.

Roger

mflamb · 05/11/2008, 01:34 PM

BUMMER!!!

Are you dosing anything? Any kind of reactor or autodoser?

You may need to simplify your testing and water change system so that you will feel better about testing and changing water. I used to HATE to do water changes, so I set up my 390 with an almost automatic system. A 60 gallon change takes 5 minutes or less, and that includes mixing the water for next week.

Joe uses a manifold off of his return pump. He attaches a hose to his manifold to pump his water down the drain.
Anything that makes it easier to do makes it easier to decide to do.

bigt0706 · 05/11/2008, 04:37 PM

raise the mag before evon trying to raise calcium

WarDaddy · 05/11/2008, 06:01 PM

I am working on the mag, but
I only had a little supplement.

I should have forked over the $$$ for the 3 part Corey made... darn!

NONNA58 · 05/11/2008, 06:33 PM

Bryan ,
I bought three from Corey, You can have one of mine if you like.
Sue

rogergolf66 · 05/11/2008, 06:38 PM

just run to walgreens and get a large package of epson salt for $4

Roger

WarDaddy · 05/11/2008, 06:41 PM

Really, Sue?

that would be great!

you going to be around tomorrow evening?

Tizzo · 05/11/2008, 06:54 PM

You only add a little supplement?? From your parameters it appears that your little supplement would be ..."buffer"!!

STOP IT!!!

I guess you know what you need to do, so I won't go over the order, but it appears that you do not know the effect of adding buffer and what it does to your alk levels and your calcium levels.

Remember, as you bring up your calcium, your alk levels will drop. That's OK. Find the balance then bring them both up together.

NONNA58 · 05/11/2008, 07:18 PM

Wow Tara, you tell him! I think he meant that he only had a little supplement left at home and needed to buy some.
I will be home tomorrow night Bryan.

Tizzo · 05/11/2008, 07:51 PM

LOL!!

He posted to high of a pH in another thread and so I went all nuts behind the scenes trying to find out why his ph was like that! LOL. I never even told him til the meeting.

So, I'm gonna let him have it here! LOL.

All in fun as you all know.

Tizzo · 05/11/2008, 07:54 PM

Hahaha, I just reread the thread! I thought he said... "I only ADD a little supplement",
but I see now that he wrote, I only HAD a little supplement...

Well, all the rest still stands, dadgummit!

WarDaddy · 05/11/2008, 08:08 PM

lol....

I had a little Mag supplement left.

I have had a little kalk in my top off water, hence the high alk numbers.

live and learn... sigh

chrismhaase · 05/11/2008, 08:17 PM

Bryan,

I have a ton of Bulk Reef Supply's 2 part Plus Mag. If you want to bring over a few gallon jugs you are more than welcome. No Charge for "el presidente"

bgdiving · 05/12/2008, 02:27 AM

Bryan, Kalk shouldn't up your alk since it adds both calc and alk in a balanced ratio. Although with low Mag you woun't be able to hold your Calcium.
You would be better to go to the drug store and add epsisalts to bring the Mag up and then use the 3 part from Corey, that Sue is offering, in the ratio it's desingned to be used. Since it will keep thing balanced but not bring individual component up.

benf · 05/12/2008, 03:40 AM

Bryan,
Before Dosing anything...try someone elses test kits just to make sure!

WarDaddy · 05/12/2008, 03:42 AM

Ben, good idea.

chrismhaase · 05/12/2008, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by benf
Bryan,
Before Dosing anything...try someone elses test kits just to make sure!

Ditto, I think Roger was getting to that idea when he said "are you sure your test kits are right?"

rogergolf66 · 05/12/2008, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by chrismhaase
Ditto, I think Roger was getting to that idea when he said "are you sure your test kits are right?"

yup.

screamincamaro · 05/12/2008, 05:35 PM

Let me know if I can help I'm in the Land O Lakes area also.

Brian

WarDaddy · 05/13/2008, 06:08 PM

So I have been dosing Randy's Mag forumla 3a, eapson with Mag Flake, for about 24 hours. A couple cups an hour... over 1/2 gallon into the tank. Randy says I can dose all at once and it will not harm the tank... but I am going slow

According to the calculator I will need to add 1.5 gallons to get to 1400. with 1/2 gallon in I have gone from 730 to 930. Progress!

screamincamaro · 05/13/2008, 06:16 PM

Were you able to validate it wasn't your test kit?

WarDaddy · 05/13/2008, 06:39 PM

I tested the Garage system, no corals, and that tested ok.

05/11/2008, 11:08 AM	#1
WarDaddy Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Land O Lakes, FL Posts: 4,022	A Classic Do as I Say and NOT as I do thread.... So we all preach TEST TEST TEST the water. I have not been testing and I am paying... I have had algae problems, pH issues, generally not thriving corals. So I busted out the kits... Ph is 8.3 this morning (will get to 8,6 tonight) Magnesium is 720 CA is 130 DKh 10.7 Alk 3.8 PO4 not detctable Nitrate Low looks like 10 (cheap test kit) So the mission is to raise the MG and CA and hope that pushes pH down. __________________ --Bryan I Brake for FRAGS! Current Tank Info: 50 Gallon DIY cube

05/11/2008, 11:14 AM	#3
WarDaddy Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Land O Lakes, FL Posts: 4,022	The kind that has been sitting in the makeup container for 6 weeks waiting for a water change :-( I am using Instant Ocean I think, but I have not had time to do the water change. It is going to happen today, I hope __________________ --Bryan I Brake for FRAGS! Current Tank Info: 50 Gallon DIY cube

05/11/2008, 11:15 AM	#4
rogergolf66 im an addict lol Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Land o lakes, FLorida Posts: 7,229	what kind of test kit on mag and cal? are you sure they are right? What do you plan on using to raise the cal? odd that the alk that hi and the cal that low if it was balanced when you stopped testing and now it is so far unbalanced? Well maybe raising the mag also raise the cal as the mag is so low that the cal can't be very high. not sure how that would lower the ph but keep reporting I am currious to see what happens. Roger __________________ Don't keep track of how much money you spend on your system. You will enjoy it much more that way :-) Current Tank Info: 120ga BBl, DIY LED, apex, flow snapper return, mp10,mp40, lifereef skimmer,SPS dominated

05/11/2008, 01:34 PM	#5
mflamb Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Pasadena, Texas Posts: 8,435	BUMMER!!! Are you dosing anything? Any kind of reactor or autodoser? You may need to simplify your testing and water change system so that you will feel better about testing and changing water. I used to HATE to do water changes, so I set up my 390 with an almost automatic system. A 60 gallon change takes 5 minutes or less, and that includes mixing the water for next week. Joe uses a manifold off of his return pump. He attaches a hose to his manifold to pump his water down the drain. Anything that makes it easier to do makes it easier to decide to do. __________________ Click on my red house to see my 390 and 300 build thread. Those are my last 2 tanks in Tampa. Now in Pasadena waiting to buy a house to set up my next tank....anemones and clowns...probably a 3x3 150 gallon.

05/11/2008, 04:37 PM	#6
bigt0706 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dover , Fl Posts: 1,607	raise the mag before evon trying to raise calcium __________________ if it dosent break the bank something else will Current Tank Info: 5'' 120 2x 250radiums vho atinics mp40 and tunse 6055 with multicontroller das dual resec skimmer , 70 tech oceanic with 6x36 teck t5 custom sump and miracle mud with bubble magnus cone skimmer

05/11/2008, 11:11 AM	#2
mlivvy em-lee-vee Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: miami Posts: 2,282	that's some really low CA. What kinda salt you using?

05/11/2008, 06:01 PM	#7
WarDaddy Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Land O Lakes, FL Posts: 4,022	I am working on the mag, but I only had a little supplement. I should have forked over the $$$ for the 3 part Corey made... darn! __________________ --Bryan I Brake for FRAGS! Current Tank Info: 50 Gallon DIY cube

05/11/2008, 06:33 PM	#8
NONNA58 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Lutz, Florida Posts: 4,004	Bryan , I bought three from Corey, You can have one of mine if you like. Sue

05/11/2008, 06:38 PM	#9
rogergolf66 im an addict lol Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Land o lakes, FLorida Posts: 7,229	just run to walgreens and get a large package of epson salt for $4 Roger __________________ Don't keep track of how much money you spend on your system. You will enjoy it much more that way :-) Current Tank Info: 120ga BBl, DIY LED, apex, flow snapper return, mp10,mp40, lifereef skimmer,SPS dominated

05/11/2008, 06:41 PM	#10
WarDaddy Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Land O Lakes, FL Posts: 4,022	Really, Sue? that would be great! you going to be around tomorrow evening? __________________ --Bryan I Brake for FRAGS! Current Tank Info: 50 Gallon DIY cube

05/11/2008, 06:54 PM	#11
Tizzo Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Land O' Lakes, FL Posts: 321	You only add a little supplement?? From your parameters it appears that your little supplement would be ..."buffer"!! STOP IT!!! I guess you know what you need to do, so I won't go over the order, but it appears that you do not know the effect of adding buffer and what it does to your alk levels and your calcium levels. Remember, as you bring up your calcium, your alk levels will drop. That's OK. Find the balance then bring them both up together.

05/11/2008, 07:18 PM	#12
NONNA58 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Lutz, Florida Posts: 4,004	Wow Tara, you tell him! I think he meant that he only had a little supplement left at home and needed to buy some. I will be home tomorrow night Bryan.

05/11/2008, 07:51 PM	#13
Tizzo Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Land O' Lakes, FL Posts: 321	LOL!! He posted to high of a pH in another thread and so I went all nuts behind the scenes trying to find out why his ph was like that! LOL. I never even told him til the meeting. So, I'm gonna let him have it here! LOL. All in fun as you all know.

05/11/2008, 07:54 PM	#14
Tizzo Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Land O' Lakes, FL Posts: 321	Hahaha, I just reread the thread! I thought he said... "I only ADD a little supplement", but I see now that he wrote, I only HAD a little supplement... Well, all the rest still stands, dadgummit!

05/11/2008, 08:08 PM	#15
WarDaddy Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Land O Lakes, FL Posts: 4,022	lol.... I had a little Mag supplement left. I have had a little kalk in my top off water, hence the high alk numbers. live and learn... sigh __________________ --Bryan I Brake for FRAGS! Current Tank Info: 50 Gallon DIY cube

05/11/2008, 08:17 PM	#16
chrismhaase Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Tampa, FL- (Fish Hawk) Posts: 2,417	Bryan, I have a ton of Bulk Reef Supply's 2 part Plus Mag. If you want to bring over a few gallon jugs you are more than welcome. No Charge for "el presidente" __________________ Click the red house to see my 90 SPS build. Always accepting frags!! Current Tank Info: 90 SPS Dominated, 2 250w IceCap ballasts firing 2 14K Aqua Connect MH lights, IceCap 660 firing 4 110w VHOs, Euro Reef 180, DIY Canopy and Stand, 100 gallon Rubbermaid sump, Tunze 6000 X 2, Tunze 7095, Tunze 6045, 2 Phosban Reactors, Panworld 50px-x

05/12/2008, 02:27 AM	#17
bgdiving Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: S.W. Florida Gulf Coast Posts: 791	Bryan, Kalk shouldn't up your alk since it adds both calc and alk in a balanced ratio. Although with low Mag you woun't be able to hold your Calcium. You would be better to go to the drug store and add epsisalts to bring the Mag up and then use the 3 part from Corey, that Sue is offering, in the ratio it's desingned to be used. Since it will keep thing balanced but not bring individual component up.

05/12/2008, 03:40 AM	#18
benf Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: wesley chapel, florida Posts: 4,106	Bryan, Before Dosing anything...try someone elses test kits just to make sure! __________________ Ben Current Tank Info: None :(

05/12/2008, 03:42 AM	#19
WarDaddy Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Land O Lakes, FL Posts: 4,022	Ben, good idea. __________________ --Bryan I Brake for FRAGS! Current Tank Info: 50 Gallon DIY cube

05/12/2008, 05:35 PM	#22
screamincamaro Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Land O Lakes, FL Posts: 1,510	Let me know if I can help I'm in the Land O Lakes area also. Brian

05/13/2008, 06:08 PM	#23
WarDaddy Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Land O Lakes, FL Posts: 4,022	So I have been dosing Randy's Mag forumla 3a, eapson with Mag Flake, for about 24 hours. A couple cups an hour... over 1/2 gallon into the tank. Randy says I can dose all at once and it will not harm the tank... but I am going slow According to the calculator I will need to add 1.5 gallons to get to 1400. with 1/2 gallon in I have gone from 730 to 930. Progress! __________________ --Bryan I Brake for FRAGS! Current Tank Info: 50 Gallon DIY cube

05/13/2008, 06:16 PM	#24
screamincamaro Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Land O Lakes, FL Posts: 1,510	Were you able to validate it wasn't your test kit?

05/13/2008, 06:39 PM	#25
WarDaddy Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Land O Lakes, FL Posts: 4,022	I tested the Garage system, no corals, and that tested ok. __________________ --Bryan I Brake for FRAGS! Current Tank Info: 50 Gallon DIY cube