Build thread: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/s...-rescue-adding-sand-fighting-ugliness.999549/
Got an existing 20g setup on fb marketplace, previous owner used brightwell alkalin8.3 and kalk+2, but was not testing. I have pH and alk test kits and have had LFS double check. I will be calibrating pH meter soon.
Trying to get a dosing schedule for stable alk/pH and reasonable Ca
Current Parameters:
NH3/NO3/NO2/PO4 0 (test strips and LFS API kit)
GH 300
TA 180
KH 100?
Ph 8+ on strip, 8.0 on iztada probe (pre cal), 7.8 from LFS API
SG: 1.022 on itzdata probe, ~23 from swing arm, and LFS says ~1.025. I know it matches newly mixed red sea coral pro SW from LFS and suspect it is ~1.024-25
I have read zero phosphate and nitrates are an issue as well, but my understanding is I need to address those separately thru feeding or other additives. Considering adding phyto to feeding schedule.
Previous owner dosed ~5ml Alk8.3 a day and kalk+2 once a month but was not doing testing or weekly water changes.
I'm doing a 20% WC once a week and sometimes an additional smaller 2g/10% for extra cleaning when removing what I think is cyano.
I have a hanna alk meter ordered, but in the meantime I'm dosing ~2.5ml Alk8.3 a day and zero kalk+2.
I know I should avoid chasing numbers, but I think I can get better levels while being safe.
If I'm trying to get to good pH, dKH and Ca how should I monitor and increase dosing?
Do I need to calibrate hanna alk meter? I saw after ordering that there are calibration reagents available.
Would increasing alkalin8.3 dosing until I see 8-9 dKH consistently from new hanna meter make sense? What sort of pH monitoring and ranges should I be looking for?
Thanks!
Got an existing 20g setup on fb marketplace, previous owner used brightwell alkalin8.3 and kalk+2, but was not testing. I have pH and alk test kits and have had LFS double check. I will be calibrating pH meter soon.
Trying to get a dosing schedule for stable alk/pH and reasonable Ca
Current Parameters:
NH3/NO3/NO2/PO4 0 (test strips and LFS API kit)
GH 300
TA 180
KH 100?
Ph 8+ on strip, 8.0 on iztada probe (pre cal), 7.8 from LFS API
SG: 1.022 on itzdata probe, ~23 from swing arm, and LFS says ~1.025. I know it matches newly mixed red sea coral pro SW from LFS and suspect it is ~1.024-25
I have read zero phosphate and nitrates are an issue as well, but my understanding is I need to address those separately thru feeding or other additives. Considering adding phyto to feeding schedule.
Previous owner dosed ~5ml Alk8.3 a day and kalk+2 once a month but was not doing testing or weekly water changes.
I'm doing a 20% WC once a week and sometimes an additional smaller 2g/10% for extra cleaning when removing what I think is cyano.
I have a hanna alk meter ordered, but in the meantime I'm dosing ~2.5ml Alk8.3 a day and zero kalk+2.
I know I should avoid chasing numbers, but I think I can get better levels while being safe.
If I'm trying to get to good pH, dKH and Ca how should I monitor and increase dosing?
Do I need to calibrate hanna alk meter? I saw after ordering that there are calibration reagents available.
Would increasing alkalin8.3 dosing until I see 8-9 dKH consistently from new hanna meter make sense? What sort of pH monitoring and ranges should I be looking for?
Thanks!