Parameter questions and help needed

[Curlsoc]

So after neglecting to test for a while, I finally got to it today. Only took a couple hours with a 3 month old helping

Here goes:

Salinity 1.025 - Want to bump to 1.026
Calcium 350 - Need to raise, added calcium suppliment, haven't had a chance to get reactor going yet
PH 8.1
Ammonia 0
Nitrites 0
Nitrates 0
Phosphate .3 Need to get phosphate reactor running
Iodide .05
Silicates 1 Need to drop
Alk 3-3.5 meq/L Need to raise

As to the phosphate reactor, I have an AquaC XP Plus I bought from SteveOhh. We tried to tie it in to the return pump loop, but the pressure was too strong and it leaked. Sooo, what would be the right powerhead for it. I know you told me once, Steve, but I don't remember. I also ordered new filters for my RO/DI, might help this.

I need to raise the Alk, and I could use suggestions for doing so, I haven't had to do this before. I have heard baking soda mentioned?

Thanks!

 

[primetime]

Yes, baking soda will do the trick.. just add it slowly over 2-3 days. It can have a negative effect on your PH. BTW, 3.5 meq is a pretty darn good. Here is a link for dosing for most params..
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html


HTH

 

[Curlsoc]

How much should I add per gallon to raise it to about 4-5 meq?

 

[pookstreet]

Susan, why do you want your alk to be so high? I think your levels are pretty good as Brock mentioned. Raising it too much will cause your Ca levels to drop, if I am not mistaken.

As for the AquaC XP, I use an MJ 600. Either that or the 900 will work fine with a ball valve to control the flow.

 

[Curlsoc]

Really? I keep reading that the alk should be more like 4-6? Is that incorrect?

 

[reef_doug]

Hello Susan,

I would agree to raise salinity to 1.026 (1.0264 35 ppt).

Reef Aquarium Water Parameters
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.htm

I would keep your Alk where it's at, even try to stabalize it at 3.0. Balanced Calcium for your already high Alk is around 430, so Calcium is what you want to increase. The easiest over the counter supplement would be Kent Turbo calcium granulars (Anhyrous Calcium cloride or MagFlake). BTW... NSW parameter for alkalinity is around 2.7 and for reef aquaria most recommend 3.0.
http://reef.diesyst.com/flashcalc/flashcalc.html

For your Aklalinity & calicum being so far out of balance, I would suspect you might have low Mg? Do you have a test for it? Mg is usually kept between 1280-1320 and helps to saturate the calcium, which is currently low.

I would try a GFO Phosphate remover to lower Phosphates & Silica. GFO is Granular Ferric Oxide, it's recommended strongly over the aluminum based types. For a reactor, the smaller diameter reactors work better (like a Phosoban 150) because of the greater depth of media. MaxiJet 606 would be great and use the ball valve as Kenny suggested. I would definitely not use the Phosoban reactor off the return pump, rather just internal in the sump.
The larger diameter AquaC XP would be great for carbon.

Most PO4 removers will help lower the Silicates once in the tank.
For Silicate prevention it's good that you have new filters on the way, hopefully including DI.
5% water changes per week are always good too!

 

[Curlsoc]

Doug, thanks for all the great help. Will leave my alk alone then as long as the corrected test confirms the level once I get the new pipette for it, and I am working on raising the calcuim. I happen to have the Seachem calcium already, so I will finish that off. I also have the Seachem PhosGuard already, but could not tell from the package what sort it is, I'll have to do a little research. I don't have a mg test, I keep trying to remember to get one, none of the stores around me carry it. Will write a big note. Since I need the MJ, maybe I'll just order it.

Can I mix carbon and Phospate media in the Aqua C so I can run them both at the same time?

 

[reef_doug]

Can I mix carbon and Phospate media in the Aqua C so I can run them both at the same time?

Some people do mix the media. One draw back is the PO4 media will usually last longer than the carbon so you might be wasting some expensive PO4 media during the carbon change.

If you do mix them, then use the lower flow (80-100 gpd) so it doesn't grind the media to a powder.

I have both of my Phosoban reactors empting into a hang on filter sock to catch any particles.