Help with paramaters and salt mix ! Please

[Robg139]

So my reef tank has been up for about 2 months now and everything so far is good. Temp I keep at 78-79. Alkalinity is 11.2, salinity is 1.024, phosphates are .25. Nitrate is at 10 ppm. First question is that an acceptable nitrate level at 10 ppm and if not what’s the best way to get it down. I’m not to sure about how to take care of problems when the arise with parameters. I’ve been using imagitarium premixed saltwater from petco just got my RODI unit set up so now gunna start mixing my own water using instant ocean. I do weekly water changes and will keep doing it that way. Will my parameters get better mixing my own saltwater from now on ?

 

[glb]

So my reef tank has been up for about 2 months now and everything so far is good. Temp I keep at 78-79. Alkalinity is 11.2, salinity is 1.024, phosphates are .25. Nitrate is at 10 ppm. First question is that an acceptable nitrate level at 10 ppm and if not what’s the best way to get it down. I’m not to sure about how to take care of problems when the arise with parameters. I’ve been using imagitarium premixed saltwater from petco just got my RODI unit set up so now gunna start mixing my own water using instant ocean. I do weekly water changes and will keep doing it that way. Will my parameters get better mixing my own saltwater from now on ?

Yes I think the parameters will improve. The water you’re getting now may have been sitting around for a while. I use instant ocean and it’s consistent. As far as your numbers, the nitrate would be high for SPS corals but LPS/softies would be fine. Your phosphate number is very high. Normal levels are about 0.02-0.05ppm. What test kit are you using? Another thing to consider is small daily water changes. I started them a month ago and the change has been dramatic. My corals are looking better. My alk runs at about 9-9.5 with instant ocean and I dose a little alk to keep it steady. What do you want to keep in the tank? How big is it?

 

[lapin]

First question is that an acceptable nitrate level at 10 ppm and if not what’s the best way to get it down.

Your N and P levels are ok for now. You have a new tank and it will be 6 months before it is any where near stable. New things grow and old things are replaced by the new.

Will my parameters get better mixing my own saltwater from now on ?

Yes. You will have control over the water. You will see N and P drop unless you are over feeding or not using RO/DI water. Normal for me is 4 N and .1 P IO salt will also bring down that high Alk number. It can cause corals to burn when that high. Regular water changes will also help keep things in line.

 

[Robg139]

Yes I think the parameters will improve. The water you’re getting now may have been sitting around for a while. I use instant ocean and it’s consistent. As far as your numbers, the nitrate would be high for SPS corals but LPS/softies would be fine. Your phosphate number is very high. Normal levels are about 0.02-0.05ppm. What test kit are you using? Another thing to consider is small daily water changes. I started them a month ago and the change has been dramatic. My corals are looking better. My alk runs at about 9-9.5 with instant ocean and I dose a little alk to keep it steady. What do you want to keep in the tank? How big is it?

Salifert tear kit and I am just keeping soft corals right now down the road I would like to keep sps and lps but after I upgrade my lighting system and tank gets more stable. I have a fluval 13.5. It’s my first tank.

 

[Robg139]

Your N and P levels are ok for now. You have a new tank and it will be 6 months before it is any where near stable. New things grow and old things are replaced by the new.

Yes. You will have control over the water. You will see N and P drop unless you are over feeding or not using RO/DI water. Normal for me is 4 N and .1 P IO salt will also bring down that high Alk number. It can cause corals to burn when that high. Regular water changes will also help keep things in line.

Thank you that makes me feel a lot better. Yes for a month before I got my RODI system I was using bottled water it was filtered but wasn’t RODI.

 

[glb]

Salifert tear kit and I am just keeping soft corals right now down the road I would like to keep sps and lps but after I upgrade my lighting system and tank gets more stable. I have a fluval 13.5. It’s my first tank.

Salifert test kits are great. Sounds like you’re off to a strong start!

 

[Sebastiancrab]

Rob, how big is your tank and what RO/DI system have you bought? I am just starting out too with a 29 gallon.

Thank you that makes me feel a lot better. Yes for a month before I got my RODI system I was using bottled water it was filtered but wasn’t RODI.