Confused by test results....any advice

[DeanoL]

Regarding the new salt water parameters and testing:

Those values look much better than before
I think we can conclude you were adding too little salt.

But. I’m now starting to doubt your salinity measurement even more and maybe some of your other test kits as well….
First of, disregard Magnesium. All those tests are very inaccurate and the value doesn’t matter in 99.9% of cases.

Then, an increase in salinity effects all parameters equally.
A 2% increase from 1.026 to 1.0265, should give a 2% increase in KH and Ca.
Yet, the Ca increased by 20%, from 340 to 410. And the KH increased by 41%…

So, things are still not adding up.

What are you using to test Ca?
How old are your test kits? (i.e. how long have they been opened? After opening the best before date is not valid anymore)


Regarding the fish:
I’m very sorry to hear you lost so many.

Low oxygen can be a thing. But if you are running a skimmer it is unlikely.

A temperature of 28 can contribute. Higher will definitely give problems.

Splitting BTA’s did not contribute.
But stress (high temperature and parameter swings can induce splitting).

That level of ammonia is not a concern.
Does your testkit measure total ammonia?

Yes i was confused by the inequity regarding the increases too.

I use the Red Sea Foundation Pro test kits. I have had them for a couple years and they do say they expired 3 months ago now that I look at them.

For ammonia I have an API ammonia test, was only purchased about 3 weeks ago.

 

[ReneReef]

Yes i was confused by the inequity regarding the increases too.

I use the Red Sea Foundation Pro test kits. I have had them for a couple years and they do say they expired 3 months ago now that I look at them.

For ammonia I have an API ammonia test, was only purchased about 3 weeks ago.

As mentioned, a test kit’s expiration date is only valid while UNopened.
Time to replace the tests. I recommend Salifert for KH and Ca. I wouldn’t buy a Magnesium test.

I’ve never tested ammonia in my life.
So I’m not familiar with the API kit and don’t know if that measures total ammonia or not.

 

[DeanoL]

As mentioned, a test kit’s expiration date is only valid while UNopened.
Time to replace the tests. I recommend Salifert for KH and Ca. I wouldn’t buy a Magnesium test.

I’ve never tested ammonia in my life.
So I’m not familiar with the API kit and don’t know if that measures total ammonia or not.

Thanks. I'll have a look for the salifert ones.

How long after opening do they stay valid for ?

 

[ReneReef]

Thanks. I'll have a look for the salifert ones.

How long after opening do they stay valid for ?

Until they start deviating too much for your liking.
So depends on many things.

That is one of the reasons it is always a good idea to have a standard to check your test against (a reference solution with known concentrations).