Input on tank params

C

chrisk

I just ran most of the tests I could think of on my tank. Any input would be appreciated. Currently I use RedSea salt and RO/DI water.

Water temp = 82.3
Salinity = 1.0255
PH = 8.2
Calcium = 320 ppm
Magnesium = 1260 ppm
Nitrite = 0 ppm
Nitrate = 0 ppm
KH / Alkalinity = 6.1 dkh / 2.17 meq/L
O2 = [2]
Ammonia < 0.25
Copper = 0

RO/DI: IN=388 TDS / OUT=16 TDS

100 Gallon reef:
Corals: mushrooms*100, ricordias*100, button polyps*100, hammerhead, frogspawn, trumpets, brain coral, plate coral, small birdsnest, 2 leathers, 1 toadstool, pagoda cup, few zoos, GSPs

Fish: 3 mature engineer gobies, 2 clown fish, 1 marine betta, 3 fire fish, 1 yellow tang

Cleanup Crew: red / blue hermit crabs, snails, serpent star fish

Substrate: argonite...? 1-2 inches deep

50 gallon wet/dry & 20 gallon long (precision marine bullet 2 skimmer)

Lighting: 2 150W VHO (1 10K, 1 12K), 2 96W actenics
 
TDS is still too high. It should be closer to 0. Didn't you just get that RO/DI unit?

Calcium needs to be bumped up, as well as Alkalinity. I'd aim for 400ppm Calcium, and 8 dKH alkalinity.
 
Ya, I just did get the RO/DI :-(

What about the oxygen? I did the test twice (Salifert). It said it should be atleast 7 but mine is at 2.
 
Is that an RO/DI unit from me? (I don't keep usernames in my records, only real names) How are you testing TDS specifically? Did you let it run for at least 60 seconds before taking a sample to test?

Oxygen levels vary. Do you run a sump? Do you have a powerhead pointed at the surface to cause it to ripple? Are you using a protein skimmer? Do you have glass tops on your tank? Do you have adequate flow? Do you open up your house to bring in fresh air where the tank is located?
 
RO/DI: I'm using the dual inline TDS meter from the group buy abit ago (by PTT). The RO/DI is from you! When I first got it, TDS was at 0, its slowly been going up. I let it run for 2 gallons of output before I tested.

Oxygen: Yes I run a sump, 20 gallon long. 3 powerheads in the main tank. Each causes the surface to ripple. I'm using a protien skimmer (see original post). No glass tops on the tank (except for the center brace). I would consider the flow to be alright maybe 300 GPH? I would say we have adequate air flow in area of the house. It is located in the center of open floor. So far none of the sacrifical canaries have keeled over.
 
Does your tank stay at a temperature of 82? That might be a little high, though I'm sure it's fine.

Personally, I always aim for 78, and it goes as high as 82 on hot summer days, with cooling at night.
 
I know we had one person with that type of TDS meter that had problems. Perhaps the readings you are getting are inaccurate.

Hardly anyone I know tests for oxygen levels. So I can't help much with that.
 
this is just my opinion but:
the calcium seems low, especially with all those corals, I'd aim more for 400-420, the Temp seems a touch high, also a 4.3 degree difference daytime to night might be causing some undue stress. the Magnesium seems to me to be the odd man out. from what I've read usually it's a 3:1 ratio of Mag-calcium
 
@chrisk wrote:
82 during the day and typically 78 during the night said:
That temp swing is a bit high. I would try to control that to 2 degree swing if possible
calcium 400-420 is a good range and alk 8-10
Click to expand...
 
The high temp accounts for the O2 levels being low if they are, I've honestly never tested O2. If you have enough flow and a skimmer its not going to be an issue. You need to be turning over any marine tank at least 10x per hour IMO
 
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