blub_blub
Community Member
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2026
- Messages
- 38
- Reaction score
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- What state or country do you live in
- California
What an interesting read!! Thanks everyone! 
I do have some updates, I know some concerns on some tests accuracy were mentioned but I had already ordered them so I ran everything anyways.
First, I bought everything to do the saltwater refractometer calibration. I was previously reading about 0.001 high with the homemade salt solution (RO/DI was also reading 0.001 high as well). Since the tank was running at 1.025 this means it was probably actually running at 1.024. Did this late last night so will try to bring it up a bit soon (all the following tank readings are with the salinitiy still 1.024). I did dose to keep alkalinity 6-7, I know there were mixed opinions on this so I figured I'd keep it stable until I had more info on the other parameters. All tests are salifert with exception of pH and Nitrate being API.
Tank readings (1.024 salinity):
Alk 7
pH 8.2
Nitrate 0 (even though I feel like I'm overfeeding)
Calcium 340
Mag 1080
Phosphate 0
I also measured my freshly mixed Instant Ocean water. Partly to see what the baseline is, partly to compare if my testing procedures show what is expected from this mix. I mixed to 1.026 salinity and here are the measurements and what I read online should be expected.
Alk: 10 (expected 10)
pH: 8.2 (expected 8.2)
Calcium: 385 (expected 400)
Mag: 1125 (expected 1320)
Wondering if the low Calcium and Magnesium could mean my salinity measurement is still a bit off. Or perhaps it is within the range of test variability (Salifert).
Within the last few days, I did also start to notice a few small white patches on the rocks, I assume precipitation is the most likely cause of this? Green hard-to-scrape algae has also taken off on the glass.
I plan to do a ~15% water change and bring the salinity up to 1.026 this weekend. Will re-measure tank parameters again after to see how much the salinity increase affected things. But given all this info, should I still pause dosing of alk and give it some time? If so, how long? Since it drops 0.3-1 a day, I do worry about letting it get super low within even just a few days...
This hobby is definitely more involved than expected! But I am very much enjoying the challenge! Thanks for reading
I do have some updates, I know some concerns on some tests accuracy were mentioned but I had already ordered them so I ran everything anyways.
First, I bought everything to do the saltwater refractometer calibration. I was previously reading about 0.001 high with the homemade salt solution (RO/DI was also reading 0.001 high as well). Since the tank was running at 1.025 this means it was probably actually running at 1.024. Did this late last night so will try to bring it up a bit soon (all the following tank readings are with the salinitiy still 1.024). I did dose to keep alkalinity 6-7, I know there were mixed opinions on this so I figured I'd keep it stable until I had more info on the other parameters. All tests are salifert with exception of pH and Nitrate being API.
Tank readings (1.024 salinity):
Alk 7
pH 8.2
Nitrate 0 (even though I feel like I'm overfeeding)
Calcium 340
Mag 1080
Phosphate 0
I also measured my freshly mixed Instant Ocean water. Partly to see what the baseline is, partly to compare if my testing procedures show what is expected from this mix. I mixed to 1.026 salinity and here are the measurements and what I read online should be expected.
Alk: 10 (expected 10)
pH: 8.2 (expected 8.2)
Calcium: 385 (expected 400)
Mag: 1125 (expected 1320)
Wondering if the low Calcium and Magnesium could mean my salinity measurement is still a bit off. Or perhaps it is within the range of test variability (Salifert).
Within the last few days, I did also start to notice a few small white patches on the rocks, I assume precipitation is the most likely cause of this? Green hard-to-scrape algae has also taken off on the glass.
I plan to do a ~15% water change and bring the salinity up to 1.026 this weekend. Will re-measure tank parameters again after to see how much the salinity increase affected things. But given all this info, should I still pause dosing of alk and give it some time? If so, how long? Since it drops 0.3-1 a day, I do worry about letting it get super low within even just a few days...
This hobby is definitely more involved than expected! But I am very much enjoying the challenge! Thanks for reading
