Calling Tang Police: Naso Tang needs your help

[NC2WA]

RO/DI, Spectrapure membrane and filters..just changed the sediment filter one month ago..

I do run carbon for 3-4 days a month.

my PO4 is zero according to the Elos kit that is brand new.
ammonia, nitrites, nitrates are zero too. (salifert kit)

which is why I'm puzzled (and frustrated).

 

[leebca]

Although RO/DI is one of the optimal quality water sources, much of its quality is dependent upon the incoming water.

The reason I had asked is that, when you move to a new place the water quality coming into the home/office is different. I would still be skeptical of the RO/DI water and at least do the following:
Get a total dissolved solids (TDS) reading on the water before and after treatment;
Test the after treatment water for ammonia, nitrite, silica, and phosphates (if you can).

Whenever you change, do maintenance or replace something in your water treatment system, you want to repeat the above tests. If you use a lot of water, having a TDS portable meter is worthwhile. If you use very little water, switch to store-bought distilled water for the next few months.

I'm uncertain why you run carbon for 3-4 days a month. What is the purpose of this?

 

[NC2WA]

i run carbon as I was told it can help remove impurities from the water..to be honest, I never ran carbon before, as my tank water color (that is, non-yellow or green) looks the same as my freshly made saltwater. (this is the true test of whether carbon should be run, or so Ive been told).

I do have a TDS meter and will test the results of my water coming into the house AND water after treatment of RO/DI unit.

I DO have a water report that was done on my tank water in Sept 2008 by AWT that I can share. I've add an attachment for you to review.

You will notice the Mg level is high as I was treating the tank with Tech M to fight bryopsis. It did work, but once I stop, it has returned again.

I dont know if this will tell you anything or not.
let me know

thanks
kirk

 

[leebca]

The running of carbon is important. Water color will tell you when a certain kind of pollutant has built up, but that isn't the main reason for running carbon.

Carbon should be run. At the rate you are running it, it is not being effective. The skimmer picks up certain kinds of proteins. The carbon picks up other proteins and fats. The two work together to keep the water quality high. I'd suggest running carbon 100% of the time and changing half of it in between water changes (or twice a month, whichever is less). That is, two carbon filters for a large system, changing one only at a time. You don't want old carbon (over 2 weeks old) in the system. At that age it can pick up smaller molecules that we would prefer to keep in the water.

I'll check the analysis a bit later.

 

[leebca]

The water carbonates/alkalinity isn't in balance. The calcium is too low and the magnesium too high for that alkalinity.

What has the pH been fluctuating within (range)?

Was this test before you moved or how soon after you moved?

 

[NC2WA]

pH is stable around 8.0-8.1
the tank was 16 months old when the test was done.

The water carbonates/alkalinity isn't in balance. The calcium is too low and the magnesium too high for that alkalinity.

.

...this imbalance would cause fish to die and/or cause bryopsis to thrive?

FWIW, Mg level right now is 1200, Ca is 425 and Alk is 8 dKH

I am going to recalibrate my TDS meter tonight and give readings on water from tap and RO water (after treatment).

 

[leebca]

The imbalance, as explained in the post: What is Water Quality causes pH to roam and pH stability is important to marine fishes that have not been exposed to pH changes of more or less than 0.02 pH units in their environment.

Lack of stability (of many different kinds) do create stressors and thus do weaken and reduce the lifespan of the fishes.

Fish are fairly well equipped to handle small/slow changes in sp. gr., but are not equipped to handle shifts in pH in their environment.