Parameters off a bit, need a few suggestions.

[wienerdog]

Just checked my parameters, as I do pretty much every other week. I did a water change a few days ago and my salinity is off a bit, in fact quite a bit and my calcium is pretty high. Here are my numbers:

ca2 (calcium) - 480
nh3 (ammonia) -0
ph- -8.0
no3(nitrate) -0
po4 (phos) -0
kh -8dkh
temp -79'
SG - 1.022

The kits are salifert and I am using a refractometer.
1. How do I raise my SG properly to 1.025 where I usually am?
2. Is my calcium too high?

 

[yh1185]

To me calc is a bit high and sg is a bit low, but neither is in any danger zone. How do you do water changes? If your mixing your own water and such, i'd test that before doing the water change. If you want to raise SG, i'd add some saltwater into your ATO, and measure every day until the sg is at what you want. Only thing you have to worry about for the high calc level is to not add anymore calc supplements if you do that. Otherwise 480 should be fine, and may even help some corals grow a bit. No matter what you do, do it slowly over a week or two, don't just dump a bunch of salt into the water to bring it up to 1.025.

 

[wienerdog]

To me calc is a bit high and sg is a bit low, but neither is in any danger zone. How do you do water changes? If your mixing your own water and such, i'd test that before doing the water change. If you want to raise SG, i'd add some saltwater into your ATO, and measure every day until the sg is at what you want. Only thing you have to worry about for the high calc level is to not add anymore calc supplements if you do that. Otherwise 480 should be fine, and may even help some corals grow a bit. No matter what you do, do it slowly over a week or two, don't just dump a bunch of salt into the water to bring it up to 1.025.

I dont dose a thing other than Kalk in my ATO. In regards to my water change it has never changed. Though I think I may have been alil distracted doing my last change. Can I simply add regular SG'd water to my ATO...1.025? Or should it read 1.027. My ATO holds about 8 gallons of water and my system is 120g's.

 

[mnat]

Did you skimmer go nuts? It looks like your ato topped off more than usually which might have lowered your s.g. and raised your calc. However, even if you dumped 8g into a 120 all at once it might not swing it that much.

You can do a few small water changes to bring it back up or lightly (repeat lightly) salt your ato water. If you top off with regular or higher water you will swing it up too fast.

Slow and steady.

 

[wienerdog]

Did you skimmer go nuts? It looks like your ato topped off more than usually which might have lowered your s.g. and raised your calc. However, even if you dumped 8g into a 120 all at once it might not swing it that much.

You can do a few small water changes to bring it back up or lightly (repeat lightly) salt your ato water. If you top off with regular or higher water you will swing it up too fast.

Slow and steady.

Thanks...So, I should keep all new water at 1.025, right? Not sure if this was due to my lack of paying attention during my last change or what. My skimmer has been behaving for the past several weeks. I noticed my BTA all shriveled and a lil angry. Thats what led me to check it. Ill get some "good" water into my ATO ASAP. Got some brewing from my RODI now. Thanks!!!

 

[yh1185]

I'm not too familiar with the whole kalk thing, i don't dose that, but as for the SG ATO. You can top off with regular 1.025 water since it's replacing 0sg water (evaporated water) this will bring the salt back up, but just make sure your doing it slowly. If it seems to be going a bit fast, it wouldn't hurt to dilute the ato water with some RODI water.

I dont dose a thing other than Kalk in my ATO. In regards to my water change it has never changed. Though I think I may have been alil distracted doing my last change. Can I simply add regular SG'd water to my ATO...1.025? Or should it read 1.027. My ATO holds about 8 gallons of water and my system is 120g's.

 

[downbeach]

When was the last time you calibrated your refractometer? Did you retest your Ca? What was your Ca, the last time you tested? Have you added any supplements since then? If your salinity is indeed too low, I'd just start topping off with SW, using your make up water, until it's back where you want it.

 

[ERaquarists]

Did you skimmer go nuts? It looks like your ato topped off more than usually which might have lowered your s.g. and raised your calc. However, even if you dumped 8g into a 120 all at once it might not swing it that much.

You can do a few small water changes to bring it back up or lightly (repeat lightly) salt your ato water. If you top off with regular or higher water you will swing it up too fast.

Slow and steady.

+1 on the "slow and steady" you dont want to shock your livestock. I dose with Kalk as well ant the high Ca is normal..yours looks ok to me as long as the Kh & Ph stay at those levels.

 

[NikkiT]

When was the last time you calibrated your refractometer?

Keep in mind that a refractometer can't be calibrated properly with fresh water.

 

[wienerdog]

I did check my refractometer twice. My Calcium last time was 440 and my SG was 1.025. I am gonna add some SW to my ATO and let it slowly replenish the salt.

 

[Hawkeye]

I noticed my BTA all shriveled and a lil angry. !

Hey btas shrivel and blow up all the time - i wouldn't take that as a canary sign. Heck mine is beaten by my male clown when it inflates too close to the eggs. Thankfully that has stopped when they relocated the nest.