Water chemistry advice please

[Kurt_Nelson]

Good looking reef Kurt. Did you get a new camera? I don't think I've ever seen you post pics before. What is that coral at the top with the clearner shrimp under it?

Jason

No new camera, but I don't post many pics here.

Top left is an ORA green birdsnest... Seriatopora guttatus. Grows like a weed.

 

[iroll253]

I would test your alkalinity again.. Then post back. I don't think it would be 15 without some dosing..

 

[sandswhitson]

If you are using Instant Ocean reef crystals it is a possibility for it to be that high.

 

[badger126]

So contributing factors are: I am using well water, not RO/DI, I am using instant ocean salt. I'll check it again today. Will it hurt for it to be that high?

 

[iroll253]

Could be different than mine but i use instant ocean and it comes out to 10 every time. I would test a mix of salt in a separate container for alk and switch to ro/di.

 

[sandswhitson]

The last couple of buckets of reef crystals I have had have very high alk measurements. I will do water tests on some water that I have made up right now and see what they measure this time.

 

[badger126]

Thanks for the help, but does anyone know if the increased alkalinity will actually hurt anything other than the increased calcification? Using RO/DI water isn't an option right now unfortunately, and I'll lower the alkalinity if I can, but I'm mostly just concerned what effects to expect from it.

 

[badger126]

retested - 17.4 KH

 

[Kurt_Nelson]

Not really a chemistry expert, but I don't think raised alkalinity by itself is really a big deal for the most part. It's not great, but on the list of things that could be worse, there are many! Elevated alkalinity can cause some SPS to bleach, and some LPS corals like Tracyphyllia don't particularly like it. It can also play havoc on your calcium levels as it could cause the calcium to precipitate out of the salt water.

The *new* Reef Crystals does have higher alkalinity levels than before and that coupled with your well water could be giving you the high levels. Here's a good article on leveling alk/cal levels...

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

 

[iroll253]

You can get ro/di from almost any foods store such as safeway and albertsons in dispensers. You wont be able to solve your nutrient problem IMO unless you switch. Maybe the kh is high because the tap from where your located?? I dunno

 

[vinny2261]

I believe that water is just "filtered" not RO/DI. I believe Kevin carries RO/DI at Aquatic Dreams. I might have a used one I could trade or something. It is a 4 stage with a TDS on it.

 

[badger126]

I don't know anything about RO units. Is that a good one? what would you be looking for?

 

[vinny2261]

RO units come from two stages up 6+. They "stages are for the different filter types you can run to remove the unwanted particulants from the water. You can always add on more canisters if you need. I believe the TDS meter still reads GREEN, so the filters are still in working order. They clog up after a while and should be replaced to ensure the purity of the water. How fast depends on your water. I believe if you go out to one of the on line stores you can research a little on what type of filters are available and what they remove. As far as what I want for it I guess the answer would be the question of what you got???

 

[badger126]

Haha not much of anything really. Just getting things set up. I got a spare AQ70 filter lol. I gotta get things figured out though. Fish are stressing me out right now

 

[vinny2261]

Well if you are interested I am sure we could work something out. I actually live North of Airway Hieghts. My wife works downtown, I could arrange for you to pick it up from there. Maybe I could get some frags later on when you are up and running...

 

[badger126]

LOL I appreciate the good will but I'm in Idaho so not likely I can just swing by and pick it up. If you can think of something to make it worth your while send me a PM and I'll be happy to barter.

 

[user 2204]

Everyone I've talked to tells me that I shouldn't be doing water changes in a tank that I set up a week ago. And they say even when it's cycled no more than like 20% every 2 weeks.....I don't understand it. Freshwater tells me that the more fresh water in your system the better.

I personally do up to a 2 gallon water change with my 3 gallon tank at least twice a week.

And when I had flat worms years back in a 20 gallon I remember doing a 50-60% water change all at once.

 

[user 2204]

I believe that water is just "filtered" not RO/DI. I believe Kevin carries RO/DI at Aquatic Dreams. I might have a used one I could trade or something. It is a 4 stage with a TDS on it.

Actually I use the Glacier RO/DI water from the grocery stores and tested it and can say yes it is RO/DI water. I also checked the internal workings onf one of those units before and can say they have about 6 stages of filteration including a UV sterilizer.

 

[iroll253]

I like using it just because its so close. In my situation why buy a unit just yet and have all that waste water when i get get 10 gallons for 3 bucks so close. Im not sure which is more cost effective but since i haven't purchased a unit yet i'm going to stick with it.

 

[iroll253]

I think the amount of changes really depends on your filtration systems and how much waste its inhabitants are producing.