Parameters

[Todd White]

So I have been having problems with my parameters. My supplier says everything looks good. My tank looks like crap and I am battling red hair algae for the third time and turning the lights off does no good. I have lost a 14 head hammer and several fish. He states it's because I don't have enough live rock, so i'm trying to build my rock up (currently at 120lbs). My tank is a 180 gallon tall, I have a eshopps wet/dry rated up to 300 gallon. People on here stated it is most likely a magnesium problem so I ordered a salifert kit. My magnesium level was unreadable. The water never changed colors. My other parameters today are Ca 400; Kh 12; Phos 0.25; nitrate 20; high range PH 8.4; amonia 0; nitrite 0, salinity 1.025. HELP, I am not trusting my supplier. He brought out the antique looking marine book and showed me parameters that were no where near those posted on here.

 

[Reeferdood]

Calcium is a little low I like 420.
Alkalinity is too high, 10 is better.
Phosphate is too high, need GFO to bring it down.
Nitrates are too high, are you skimming?
What salt do you use?
How long has the tank been set up and when was your last water change?
Hard to imagine your Mg that low...

 

[Todd White]

I am not skimming, was told carbon bags were good enough. I think my supplier uses reef crystals. Last water change was 10/25. Tank was set up last week of April. What is GFO? Is my mag low or high? I put the whole syringe of solution and it didn't change color.

 

[Reeferdood]

Granular Ferric Oxide..
Carbon bags are not enough if you plan to use carbon at all, I only use it every once in a while..
Now, IMHO a skimmer is a must for someone not going to use a refugium on their setup..
I'm thinking you Mg test kit is bad or you are not doing it correctly if you recently did a water change using RC.
I would also dump your supplier and go to someone with better knowledge in Reefing bud...

 

[Todd White]

The sad thing is that where I'm at, he's it. The only other place is petco and petsmart. I wish I was still in knoxville tn, there is a store just for aquariums and I never had a problem with my first 2 fish only tanks. I have to order most everything I need. He sold me a $200 skimmer that blew to many bubbles in the tank and he blamed the size of my wet/dry return area. He gets extremely defensive when I question him. But everyone else is at least a 2 hour drive

 

[Shaun Sweeney]

Considering how much you have - or will have - invested, I'd be doing the 2 hour drive. I have to do a ferry trip but because I've done that a number of times, I get good telephone response and I and I can order on-line.

 

[recess62]

I live 20 minutes from a LFS. I never ask them for advice. I use the experts here for questions and purchase everything online. One never knows what motivates a local retailer. IMO the most beneficial thing you can do for yourself is sit down with a beer and read as much as possible on this forum. I bet in no time your local supplier will be coming to your for advice

 

[Reeferdood]

I live 20 minutes from a LFS. I never ask them for advice. I use the experts here for questions and purchase everything online. One never knows what motivates a local retailer. IMO the most beneficial thing you can do for yourself is sit down with a beer and read as much as possible on this forum. I bet in no time your local supplier will be coming to your for advice

And to add to that, ask questions here and I am sure you will find the answers you are looking for..
If you are ever in a pinch, pm me and I'll gladly call you to help out.. Sometimes a voice is better than a text..

 

[Todd White]

He blamed the death of my hammer on lack of live rock. And the death of $300 worth of fish on his supplier getting them from people that use cyanide bombs. I'm really over it

 

[Reeferdood]

He blamed the death of my hammer on lack of live rock. And the death of $300 worth of fish on his supplier getting them from people that use cyanide bombs. I'm really over it

Dump that idiot for even using people like that to get livestock to him..
People like that make me sick.

 

[Todd White]

It's made me really sick. He's now nursing my other coral back to health i hope. He keeps throwing up his "34 years experience".

 

[Reeferdood]

It's made me really sick. He's now nursing my other coral back to health i hope. He keeps throwing up his "34 years experience".

He obviously hasn't learned anything in that time....

 

[recess62]

One more ideA is to see if there are any reefers somewhat close to you that you could hook up with. Do a google search for reef clubs near you. The reefing community is a brotherhood. We all appreciate how hard it can be to get an ecosystem up, running and in tune. Google is your friend.