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Do I Need to do anything with my water

H

horseplay

NJRC Member
Today I tested my water for the first time. I use IO and Seachem foundation test kit. The water is new mixed two days ago.

Salinity : 35 ppt
CA = 500 ppm (it's the max the test kit can detect but the color did change almost completely)
Kh = 11.8 dKh
Mg = 1540 ppm

I tested carefully with my son's help so I do have some degree of confidence with the results. Everything is very high, right? Do I need to do anything? Is this a sustainable level when there is live stock in the tank?
 
Zippy69

Zippy69

They are high. I would test your replacement salt water, you may have an off batch of salt mix. If so, time for new salt.
 
iTzJu

iTzJu

Officer Emeritus
NJRC Member
you're getting those results with IO Salt? i suggest you invest in another test kit like salifert or red sea. those numbers are extremely high for IO salt. is it Reef Crystals?
 
H

horseplay

NJRC Member
Let me correct myself. I use a brand new red sea test kit. SG is tested using a refractometer. I use half cup/gallon of instant ocean and the SG should be close. Will test again tomorrow. The mg is high corresponding to the other high readings.

Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2
 
redfishbluefish

redfishbluefish

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
I apologize for the question….you can kick me the next time you see me…..but you mention you are new to Red Sea test kit. You did subtract the number on the syringe from 1.0?

Again, those numbers don’t make sense for IO salt at 1.026.
 
H

horseplay

NJRC Member
redfishbluefish said:
I apologize for the question….you can kick me the next time you see me…..but you mention you are new to Red Sea test kit. You did subtract the number on the syringe from 1.0?

Again, those numbers don’t make sense for IO salt at 1.026.
Click to expand...

I did. The Ca test used up the whole 1.0ml. I will test again tomorrow. Gotta watch the game :)
 
Hawkeye

Hawkeye

redfishbluefish said:
I apologize for the question….you can kick me the next time you see me…..but you mention you are new to Red Sea test kit. You did subtract the number on the syringe from 1.0?

Again, those numbers don’t make sense for IO salt at 1.026.
Click to expand...
i don't use that kit, but can i kick you too? (LOLOL)
 
NikkiT

NikkiT

If you are in Holmdel, you could take your water to Trop or Aquarium Care Center, and ask them to test it for you. Either one will do it for a fee.
You can also take your test kits with you, and if you go to Trop when they are not busy, and ask nicely, they will likely help you use the kit so you can make sure you are reading it correctly.
Alternatively, you can ask a member of the club to come and bring over kits, and help you test.
I would try one of those two things.

We questioned our test results recently, and it turned out we had a bad test kit and were getting inaccurate readings for alkalinity.
 
H

horseplay

NJRC Member
I tested again. First I verified that my refractometer is calibrated and the salinity is exactly 35 ppt. The result is basically the same as yesterday.

When I use the 1 ml syringe there is always about 0.2 ml of air between the liquid and the plunger. I read the number from the plunger. But I don't think it's an issue since as long as you read the same thing start and end it should be ok. All three measurements are high.

Looks like I need someone to test the water for me or go to Trops. Any one close by? I will bring the water and my test kit :)
 
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