High Readings

[ktigs]

Hey guys!

I just received the Red Sea tests for Alk, Ca and Mg yesterday. I just got finished with these tests and my readings are somewhat high. I did compare the results with API tests I already owned (Ca & Mg) and they were spot on with each other. I currently DO NOT dose my tank for any of these. I do dose Red Sea's Reef Energy A & B (every other night) and just started feeding Coral Chili and Reef Roids last night (will be dosed every other night). I use Red Sea Coral Pro Salt and currently do water changes once a week (supposed to do one tonight). Anyways, here's my levels, please let me know what I can do to fluctuate any of these, or are they acceptable? My tank has been set up for 6 months.

Mag - 1500
Cal - 520 (Red Sea) 520 (API)
Alk - 11.9 (Red Sea) 11 (API)
PH - 8.4 (API)
Sal - 1.026

TIA for your time!

 

[JimWelsh]

How are you testing Specific Gravity? And how is that device calibrated? It is possible that your salinity is really higher than your stated SG would indicate, which would explain all your other values being high.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

The Red Sea mag kit is pretty unreliable appearantly. I have to do the test a couple times and best guess it.

 

[VelocityTech]

Agreed. I go through the same. Whats your batch #

 

[ktigs]

I use a swingarm refractometer. I got the multi test kit Foundation Pro. It actually is blank where the batch # is (bottom of box) but there is an exp date of 9/19.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

When was the last time you did a water change? How much coral do you have ? And how big is the tank?

RSCP salt is high in alk.

 

[ktigs]

I have a 110g tall tank and a 29 gal sump. I did a 10% last Thurs. I have a 7 head hammer, a large long tentacle plate, large colony of Zoas, cabbage leather, flower pot, some assorted polyps and mushrooms. I have about 120# of live rock. I was thinking of holding off on a water change in hopes my levels will deplete on their own?

 

[ktigs]

.

 

[ktigs]

I use a swingarm refractometer. I got the multi test kit Foundation Pro. It actually is blank where the batch # is (bottom of box) but there is an exp date of 9/19.

Omg, what an embarrassing typo! I meant a swingarm hydrometer!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I love your tank.

Yea. I think your ok. Yes the numbers will drop. But. Don't see anything too alarming. It's a young tank, and as it matures it will definitely start using more of all of the above.

Fwiw. As I understand the chemistry and tests and the amount of slight inaccuracy and precision of them,

Lol.

 

[alton]

I like using the Tropic Marin Glass Hydrometer. The swing arms in time will lie/ go bad.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

FWIW, I don't really see a problem. Red Sea Coral Pro is a high alk/calcium/magnesium mix (477 ca and 1474 ppm magnesium at 35 ppt, for example), and if the salinity is a bit higher than expected, the values will be even higher.

 

[chewy tabacca]

You have to watch hydrometers, they start to have salt creep over time, I made that problem on my first tank. The salt builds up, Just a little and you can't notice it. I bought a refractometer and found out my salinity was 1.035, all my levels were so high. It is definitely worth the 100$ (CAD)