Feedback on Water Quality

[riemannp]

Does anybody see any concerns with the following test results?

-pH = 7.9
-Temp = 75 F
-NO3 = 3-5 mg/L
-Ca = 430 mg/L
-Alk = 4.1 meq/L (11.4 dKH)

Is pH too low? Is nitrates higher than expected with LR?

System data, if interested
-100gal LR w/ soft corals, xenia, etc.
- Fish and Snails: Blue Tang, Clown, Ibili Angel, lots of Trochus banded snails and other.
- Aqau C Skimmer, T5 Lights
-Dosing: Manual only. Adding Iodine, Calcium, Stront/Molybd here and there
-25% Water Change every 5-6 weeks.
-Some of my corals are struggline (toadstool) likely due to nipping Blue Tang


Thanks in advance!

 

[Holygral]

PH is in range, could be a little higher
Water temps seem low, I keep mine at 80
Nitrates are a little high
If you do more frequent water changes, you probally will not have to add the trace's. I run a 75 with a 20 gal sump and do 20% every other week.

Also you need to know what your Mag. is as it is a balancing factor in you Calcium and PH picture. Also where is your specific gravity?

 

[Scooterman]

Looks good to me, nitrates only concern but sounds well.

 

[dnjan]

Does anybody see any concerns with the following test results?

-pH = 7.9
-Temp = 75 F
-NO3 = 3-5 mg/L
-Ca = 430 mg/L
-Alk = 4.1 meq/L (11.4 dKH)

Brand of test kit? Consistency of results (have those been the readings twice a week for the past month? one-time result, and was different last month?)?

 

[Boomer]

The pH is not to low but what time of the day was that reading taken ? Take one in the morning before the lights are on. You may find the pH much lower than that pH of 7.9 , so then it would be an issue. That temp also needs to go up. What is the salinity/Sg ?

 

[riemannp]

All good thoughts. Here's some more information:

-All test kits Salifert (and not expired), which I consider good quality test kits
-Specific Gravity 1.022 plus/minus
-I agree, T=76 is indeed a bit low, and I will indeed raise it to 78 or so.
-Very good comment on trend. This was a once a month kind of test. Good reminder that results can vary between dawn and evening. Also good reminder of trending over a few weeks, say with twice-weekly tests. I think I will indeed do that to pick up any trends or variations.

Thanks for the prospective ...

 

[Scooterman]

I would bump your sg up some like 1.026 or 35ppt, what are you using to measure it?
I agree testing several times can give you a much clearer picture of what is going on.

 

[chadmace]

I would also take your water in and get it tested. I have Sailfert test kits and they are all far from expiring. I tested my ph at 7.7, from the same sample the Elos test kits read at 8.1. Its always good to have your numbers confirmed or be sure of them before you make changes.

 

[Kurt_Nelson]

Are you testing iodine levels? If you're adding it, then you should be testing for it. I'd recommend increasing the frequency of your water changes. That's an awful long time to go between water changes. Doing 20% every other week, as previously mentioned, should eliminate the need to dose just about everything - except for maybe Ca/Alk.