water chemistry

[mr bojangles]

hi all.when testing for cal/mag i run out of reagent in syringe before colour change. does this mean not enough cal/mag or to much . any advice please.

 

[Cody3819]

What test kits are you using? Every test kit I have ever used, if you run out of the solution, and no color change, your level is off the chart.

 

[mr bojangles]

hi. lm using salifert test kit . my readings were fine 2 weeks ago mag 1300 cal 420 then this change.

 

[Cody3819]

Are you dosing?

 

[mr bojangles]

yes i have been for high phos with nopox and thats under control now i only dose small amount do you think it is the dosing.

 

[Cody3819]

Yes if your dosing for Mag and Cal then that is more than likely your issue... Try to retest or if you have another brand try that test kit and see.

 

[mr bojangles]

will do another test. i have 40 gallon tank. doing a 30% water change tomoz then retest again. cut right down on dosing and see what happens.

 

[Cody3819]

You may have tested wrong... I would retest and then see what's next. But yes if it's still off the chart I would do a series of water changes, smaller ones that way you don't stress anything out by doing to big of one and causing more issues. That's just my opinion

 

[mr bojangles]

ok thanks for that

 

[Cody3819]

You got it.. Keep me posted and good luck. It will all be fine.

 

[mr bojangles]

hi tested using jbl test kit . reads mag=1700 cal= 500 so mag is abit high. i will do several small water changes to see how it goes.

 

[Cody3819]

Sounds like a plan... I like to run Mag around 1320 and Cal 450 but that's just me... I would bring it down slow that way you don't shock the tank...

 

[mr bojangles]

hi. what a differance small water changes make in a week . calc = 440 mag= 1380 + less dosing cheers cody3819.

 

[Cody3819]

Yes.... Water changes will very much help.