test results?

[ceige]

I just used my new test kits well most of them...

how do these numbers look?

PH= 8.1
no3= 0
po4= 0
ca= 485
alk= 5.54

I ran the po4 test three time because I was sure I would see somthing but no....

[mg]

From a quick glance it looks like your alkalinity is really high. Is this measured in meq/L and what kit are you using? I am use to dkh and I am pretty sure 1meq/l=2.8dkh. That means your alk is at 15.5 dkh. Should be more aroun 10 or so.

[Loverotties]

Alk is way off.

[Loverotties]

Originally Posted by ceige

I ran the po4 test three time because I was sure I would see somthing but no....

What brand of test kit?

[ceige]

yeah I thought so too..I ran that twice...hmmm

I am useing Salifert test kits

[ceige]

what will a high alk do to the tank?

[ceige]

ok today's test dkh = 5.8 or 2.06 meq\l

Does this look ok now?

[xrobbx03]

Originally Posted by ceige

ok today's test dkh = 5.8 or 2.06 meq\l

Does this look ok now?

I would still say thats a bit low. Mine is always around 10. Tested yesterday and it was 10.6 dkh

From what i have read about it its good to keep it in the area of 8-12 dkh

[xrobbx03]

Also with low alk your calcium is probably on the higher side. I like to keep mine around 430-450. What I do when my alk is low i mix one tsp of baking soda in 12 ounces of RODI water then add to the DT. I usually do it in the morning then in the afternoon check my levels and if it is still low i will dose again at night.

[ceige]

yeah..i did a month of the slury method of dosing kalk...doersn't work. so i got a dripper now to dose the right way....

[xrobbx03]

really i use the baking soda method and i think it works awesome, I never had any problems with it.

[ceige]

robby...how do you know how much bs to use. I dont want to use kal becasue my PH and ca are ok or a bit high so the bs will just hit my alk right?

[xrobbx03]

Originally Posted by ceige

robby...how do you know how much bs to use. I dont want to use kal becasue my PH and ca are ok or a bit high so the bs will just hit my alk right?

Here, this i what i use to get my desired level. It is pretty accurate.

http://jdieck1.home.comcast.net/chemcalc.html

[xrobbx03]

Heres just to compare some of my latest test results:

Temperature: 80.6 F
pH: 8.1
Salinity: 1.025 SG
Alkalinity: 10.6 dKH
Calcium: 430 ppm
Nitrate: 0 ppm
Phosphate: 0 ppm

[ceige]

cool thanks