Tests

[yesjenks]

Hey everyone,

My 75 gallon has been up for a few month now. Here is my equiptment,

Wavepoint light (2) Sun Wave 12,000K 54 W T5HO / (2) Blue Wave 460nm Actinic 54 W T5HO
Coralife 125 super skimmer (Piece of Crap! hope to upgrade soon)
Tank drains into a filter sock I made out of Bigal's filter media.
Not sure what kind of return pump it is.
Mariland Powerhead in the tank.
1 250w heater. Temp stays between 78-81

Livestock,
Pair of clarkii clowns,
banded goby,
bunch of cleaner snails and hermet crabs.
Some frogspawn,
Duncan,
Zoes,
acan

Everything seems to be doing well except for the Acan. But, he seems to be doing better these past few days.

I just got my RODI and am planing a water change tomorrow. I wanted to test my tank before adding to RODI water and am not sure ifmy tests are off or what. Here is what I got (BTW, API test kit)

Calcium 360
dkh 9
nitrate is at 10
phosphate 0.25

Thats seems crazy high and low! What should I do?? BIG water change???

 

[dherrera83]

Yes water change but use the rodi water and check water after some circulation. Then do another water change every week or other day until your test shows better readings. After everything is stable you should do a water change everyweek or other week.

 

[yesjenks]

Thank you! I haven't dosed my tank. Does this mean I should start? Or see if the RODI water changes help stabilize everything?

 

[dherrera83]

Doesnt sound like you have many corals. I dont think you need any dose yet. Water changes should replenish your water. What salt are you using?

 

[yesjenks]

ok, thank you!!

Instant Ocean.

 

[dherrera83]

You should use reef crystal or other reef salt.

 

[yesjenks]

I intend on doing so when I finish the rest of the Instant Ocean. Would you recommend ditching in now for reef crystal?

 

[dherrera83]

How about mixing in the reef salt and to start and then gradually switching over....

 

[yesjenks]

Sounds good! Thanks for all your help!