water parameters outta wack.....

ahayes13 · Jul 26, 2008

okay so my water parameters are still outta wack and even after all the reading ive done i cant figure out how to fix em. wondering if we have any water chemistry experts on here.. hehhehe.. anyway here are my parameters... :confused:

salinity: 1.027
calcium: 440
ph: 8.4

problems

alk: 16.1
magnesium: 1150
nitrate: 80
phosphate: 7

so i did about a 30% water change today to try to help with the nitrate and phosphate. i had lost a few fish in the past few weeks so not sure if this has lead to the prob with the nitrates and phosphate? anyways. i also purchased phosban pouch to try to lower the phosphate to put in the sump today.
i currently do not add anything to the tank.
i am trying to figure out if i need to try to lower the alk and raise the magnesium? and if so how do i do this? and if the water change doesnt help the nitrate then how do i lower it?

thanks for all yalls help.....

oceanparadise1 · Jul 26, 2008

Buy some phosban for the phosphate and do a 50% water change, when mine where that high, i did 50% water changes every 3-4 days took control of it right away

Eklikewhoa · Jul 26, 2008

What salt are you using and what's your water source?

ahayes13 · Jul 26, 2008

well we get our water from a lfs and its ro water

oceanparadise1 · Jul 26, 2008

Do the changes and start feeding a little less.

ahayes13 · Jul 26, 2008

okay i did a 30% change today and will do another in a few days. i will try to back down on the feeding although i dont really see much "extra" food when i feed. the freakin clowns and anthias are PIGS. but i guess if i feed them a little less then they will have less waste.

oceanparadise1 · Jul 26, 2008

Very true, also in a couple days do a 50% not 30% water change

ahayes13 · Jul 26, 2008

okay i will do it. i will have to figure out how to do it myself i guess.... have to get a siphon to do it or something cause mikel will be gone and he usually does them cause you have to lift up those huge jugs we have.