Concerns with my tank parameters

[hemmroid]

My 28 gal tank that I do weekly water changes on is reading

Salinity 1.027 (I do need to do a top off)
Ph: 8.0
Ammonia: 0
Nitrate: 5.0
Alk: 15 (?????????? How???? I think my LFS uses RO water and not RODI, could that be why?)
Calcium: 465
Phosphates: 0.01 or undetectable.

How can I lower alk without my other levels bottoming out?? I would do WC but I thought nitrates should ideally be around 10. And should I dose a bit more for nitrate/phosphates? I feed 2-3 times a day (usually mysis & pellets but occasionally baby brine) and thought that I’ve been overfeeding. Should I really be feeding MORE??? My tank is also considered overstocked. I have mostly softies.


I have chaetogro, neophos, neonitro, reef code A & B on hand. But I haven’t actually been dosing anything as I thought regular water changes along with feeding well will keep levels up.

What can I do to bring my levels into a more ideal range?

 

[Justfebreezeit]

Get salinity down before doing anything else and retest.

 

[Idech]

Your alk test is most probably a false result. What are you using ? I would bring phosphates up a bit just so you don’t end up with Dino’s. And get an ATO so your salinity is always on point.

 

[hemmroid]

Your alk test is most probably a false result. What are you using ? I would bring phosphates up a bit just so you don’t end up with Dino’s. And get an ATO so your salinity is always on point.

I am using the salifert test kits, I will retest right now and post results. Any ATO brands you recommend for smaller tanks?

 

[Idech]

I am using the salifert test kits, I will retest right now and post results. Any ATO brands you recommend for smaller tanks?

I think Tunze makes a small ATO. My Tunze ATo has been running flawlessly for years. They are known for their reliability.

 

[hemmroid]

I am using the salifert test kits, I will retest right now and post results. Any ATO brands you recommend for smaller tanks?

I think Tunze makes a small ATO. My Tunze ATo has been running flawlessly for years. They are known for their reliability.

I retested just now, it’s reading at 9.8 …. It’s odd it tested at 15 originally. I’ve always had higher alk for whatever reason, 9.8 is still considered higher too so unsure how to lower it if water changes isn’t doing it. Maybe I’ll have to switch what LFS I get water from.

 

[Anik]

I agree, getting salinity down will help quite a bit. Also, be sure to test everything with a redundant measure. both readings should be very close. If they're not, it's worth getting a 3rd or asking a reefing buddy or LFS (some have hanna checkers).

 

[KrisReef]

I retested just now, it’s reading at 9.8 …. It’s odd it tested at 15 originally. I’ve always had higher alk for whatever reason, 9.8 is still considered higher too so unsure how to lower it if water changes isn’t doing it. Maybe I’ll have to switch what LFS I get water from.

I’m also baffled by the difference between the two tests! If, or when you get similar wild results in the future always retest before making any wild adjustments.

For alk, I use muriatic acid to make adjustments when it’s too high, but only in the mixing barrels. If the tank was way off, then a massive water change, or small water change with super low alk replacement water would be the route.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

FWIW, everything seems fine now, and the salinity is also not any concern. Many coral reefs are at that salinity.

 

[Peer.Boerner]

I think Tunze makes a small ATO. My Tunze ATo has been running flawlessly for years. They are known for their reliability.

I use the Tunze ATO Nano. Works great though there may be less expensive options.

 

[Idech]

I use the Tunze ATO Nano. Works great though there may be less expensive options.

It’s the last thing you should cheap out on your tank though.