210 under way!!!!!!!!!!

[charlie]

82 isn't all that out of line really. Is there a way to just keep the vents closed in the winter?

[charlie]

Originally Posted by Hendersonracing

also done a 30 gallon gater change last night....I used reef chrystal salt....Im going to searchem next week I heard it was better????


here is what the readings where this morning?????

ph-8.8
ammonia-0
nitrites-0
nitrates-5
calcium-400
kh-9.9
alk-3.54


does any of these look outta whack the tank has been up and running 3 weeks now.....


also I have a stronium kit is there any need to measure it???of course it came in missing the #1 bottle??

We posted at the same time.
I never test for strontium, I think with regular water changes, most trace elements are replaced anyways. That is one rason I do 2 of them a week.
What is your ph doing, that is way high!!!!!! What test kit are you using?

[Hendersonracing]

Saltwater Master Liquid Test Kit

*Easy-to-use liquid test solutions measure 4 essential water parameters*Saltwater master test kit measures aquarium pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate*Match the color of the test solution against color chart for accurate test resultsThe Saltwater Master Liquid Test Kit contains all you need to monitor the water in your marine aquarium to ensure the good health of your fish. These essential tests help you adjust your water parameters for the success of your marine fish. Long-lasting kits contain tests for pH (180 tests), ammonia (90 tests), nitrite (150 tests), and nitrate (75 tests). The enclosed instruction booklet explains how to use test kit in an easy-to-understand manner for precise test results.

[Hendersonracing]

my ph has been around 8.4 but it was high yesterday for some reason wonder if its the new salt I used???

[charlie]

Did you test your new saltwater mix before doing the WC, it seems you may be right. Still, 8.4 is a little higher than I would bargain for. That is usually the top end for me, mine goes between 8.1 and 8.3 on a normal day. It may be time to look into a ph monitor, I don't trust any test kit as far as ph goes, they are to vague.

[Hendersonracing]

I tested the salinity in the water change water..it was 1.023 Im going to get an electronic ph meter from smith & foster...how can you lower ph???? water changes?

[charlie]

I am not real sure about this, but I believe just plain old vinegar will do the trick. I have used it before, you just have to be careful about the dosage. Maybe someone more chemically inclined can chime in here.
you might want to try doing a search on lowering ph and see what you can come up with.

[Hendersonracing]

i have ordered a direct point ph meter....Ill do another reading tonight???? so vinegar huh????that will lower ph?

[charlie]

Originally Posted by Hendersonracing

i have ordered a direct point ph meter....Ill do another reading tonight???? so vinegar huh????that will lower ph?

As I stated before, I am about as chemically inclined as a potato, but yeah give it a try.

[Hendersonracing]

well its back to 8.3-8.4 maybe I took a bad reading????but its back to normal....Ill get the electronic next week....So it should be more accurate...

[charlie]

That is entirely possible, I always take 2 readings when I get one that is way out of whack like the ph was.

[Hendersonracing]

yep I will from This point forward......Im hoping the electronic is more accurate......

[tiburon]

Originally Posted by Hendersonracing

well when its hot outside and the air is on alot its very cold downstairs with 3 fans on it gets 81.o at the end of the cycle....when she dosent turn the air on its 82....keep in mind this is in the basement where its cold anyway...im afraid this winter when the heats on its going to be mid 80's so Im realizing a chiller is needed soon....

Ahhh - yeah, sounds like your env for the tank room is pretty controlled to comfortable living temps, so you just have to deal with the heat from the lights.. it gets like 90F and sometimes higher in our "den" (den, study, living room, it's all part of the large L shape our main living area is) in August, September, and October.. we have a pretty intense Indian Summer.. anyways, I will NEED the chiller then... and when I get my new NEW lighting system.. 2x 250MH + 90F ambient temps = tepid tank! anyways...

Glad to see you got your Ph back under control.. I am getting an electronic PH monitor also.. and salinity monitor.. I don't want to have to bust out the test tubes every time I want to know the Ph.

[Hendersonracing]

exactly....Id also Like to get the calcium pinpoint...but its like 250.00???the salinity isn't to bad with the hydrometer but I may look into getting a digital one also...

[Hendersonracing]

well I put a ph monitor in the tank tonight it read 8.19 so looks kinda low...also I put a topoff 5 gallon tank and added some kalkwesser to the jug......It running off an IV right now with a slow drip.....Ill post some pics later....Im wanting to get a calcium pinpoint but boy are they high... one more question when do you know when there is to much kalk or do you just run them til they are empty and refill them???....I put 5 teaspoons in the 5 gallon ro water....after I deluted it...