| General Reef Discussion In this forum we discuss issues related to keeping marine and reef aquariums in a friendly flame-free environment. |
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01-05-2006, 10:33 PM
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#1
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 147
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Help, bought fish and water is not right.
I purchased 2 fish for tank today, prior to doing so I tested for nitrate and amonia. They both look go so I decided to purchase the first residents of the new tank. After I get home i decided to test alkalinity with a seanalyis kit made by natureef. The results are much higher than the recomended sea water. mequ/l is 4.00 and dkh is 11.2
I know that doing small water changes will reduce the alkalinity, at this point i have 2 fish in the bag sitting in tank. Is this alkalinity to high for the fish? Will they die if released into tank? How long can they live in the bag from pet store? Was thinking about taking them back tomorrow to store untill i can get the alkalinity under control. What should I do?
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01-05-2006, 10:44 PM
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#2
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The Dude Abides
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: RI
Posts: 1,129
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11.2 dkh is fine. Make sure that your ph is ok though.
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- Chris
Proud member of the
 
All Hail Discordia!
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01-05-2006, 10:50 PM
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#3
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Noo Doot Aboot It!
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Prince George
Posts: 2,768
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Chris hit the nail on the head they should be fine but your pH may be out of whack
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01-05-2006, 11:30 PM
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#4
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 147
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Thanks, just checked ph and it looks ok
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01-06-2006, 07:16 AM
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#5
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I've got the REEF rash!
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 25,834
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How big is this tank?When it's new you should only buy one and see if the tank is mature enough to take a load first.Go slow is the key!
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01-30-2006, 04:32 PM
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#6
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 147
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HI,
Ok now 24 days later, I have a question regarding the PH. The alkalinity remains the same, however the ph is droping slowlly. For the past 2 days I used Marine Success Buff by Red Sea and I have yet to see the PH increase. On the instructions says that this should be used once a week.
Is there something else I can do to increase PH?
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01-30-2006, 05:03 PM
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#7
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Shark
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Newfoundland
Posts: 1,968
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make sure you have good surface agitation for oxygen exchange
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-Bill
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02-02-2006, 11:11 PM
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#8
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 147
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Cosine
make sure you have good surface agitation for oxygen exchange
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Cosine, I think that is my problem. This might be a stupid question but I went to LPS today and noticed that their returns where slightly above water level causing some bubles. Is this what u meant by surface agitation? if so I was not doing that, I tried this afternoon but when I place the lines that come from the sump into the tank slightly above the water level, I get some microbubles in the tank and it looks like crap. IS there another way for me to introduce oxygen to the water?
When I asked the guys at the LFS he mentioned that poor agitation will cause ph problems and that is when what you said clicked.
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02-02-2006, 11:19 PM
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#9
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Shark
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Newfoundland
Posts: 1,968
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right now I have a ph pointed at the surface. In my new tank I'll have some outputs on my CLS pointed at the surface.
I wouldnt' try to do it with return if it's causing micro bubbles.
what do you have for flow now?
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-Bill
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02-02-2006, 11:27 PM
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#10
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 147
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Not sure I understand the question completelly, but I have two flexible lines that come from the sump into the tank.
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02-02-2006, 11:29 PM
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#11
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Shark
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Newfoundland
Posts: 1,968
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sorry for confusion
trying to clarify
so you have your sump returns but do you have other flow in your tank like powerheads, tunzes or a closed loop?
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-Bill
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02-02-2006, 11:34 PM
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#12
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 147
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Cosine
sorry for confusion
trying to clarify
so you have your sump returns but do you have other flow in your tank like powerheads, tunzes or a closed loop?
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I only have the returns, no additional power heads. Will I need powerheads? I bought a tank predrilled in an attempt to keep stuff out the tank, such as the skimmmer etc...
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02-02-2006, 11:38 PM
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#13
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Shark
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Newfoundland
Posts: 1,968
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I would say that more flow is definately a good thing
sorry I'm not really sure what you have in your tank
like what fish, coral etc.?
but flow is good for several things. We mention surface agitation for oxygen exchange but also it will keep detrius suspended so that it will make it to the sump/skimmer.
Also fish and corals are used to it and corals do better with it IMO
So some info on your tank and I'm sure people here will come up with the best way for flow for you while keeping the clutter in the tank to a min!
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-Bill
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02-02-2006, 11:53 PM
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#14
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Shark
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Valparaiso, IN
Posts: 2,290
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Sometimes during the day when I get low PH i open a window. CO2 buildup in the house can cause low PH too. By opening a window you raise the oxygen levles and therefore raising PH to the correct values. When I build my Fish room im going to put an opening so my skimmer can pull in fresh air to help keep the PH up without buffers.
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