AWT aquariumwatertesting results

[trueblackpercula]

Please help i think there testing is junk
Please advise on what to do as they gave no advice.

AWT aquariumwatertesting results
did anyone else get there results back from AWT and there was nothing but zeros below the bad results? If this is there way of reporting back to us then this was a waste of time. Also i think there test are bad as they have told me that my Magnesium was 938 and i know its around 1600. I feel that all SPS keepers should be awear of this and lets hope it was just my test that is wrong.

Michael

As you can see from the results there is no information is this how it come back?

Ammonia (NH3-4)
Natural Seawater Value: 0.010 mg/L
Acceptable Range: 0.000 to 0.050 mg/L
Tested: 0.006 mg/L
(GOOD) Your ammonia level is within the recommended range. We recommend staying
with the current feeding and stocking levels. Be sure to maintain a good schedule of water
changes and additives. Ammonia levels can rise after the addition of new animals, after a
water change, or after the changing of food diet. Any ammonia level above 0.05 mg/L is a
cause for concern, and the source should be found and corrected.

Nitrite (NO2)
Natural Seawater Value: 0.010 mg/L
Acceptable Range: 0.000 to 0.100 mg/L
Tested: 0.003 mg/L
0

Nitrate (NO3)
Natural Seawater Value: 0.050 mg/L
Acceptable Range: 0.000 to 25 mg/L
Tested: 0.3 mg/L
0

Phosphate (PO4)
Natural Seawater Value: 0.030 mg/L
Acceptable Range: 0.000 to 0.250 mg/L
Tested: 0.09 mg/L
(GOOD) Your phosphate level is within the recommended range. We recommend continuing
the current maintenance and water change schedule. The use of a phosphate absorbing
resin is recommended to keep phosphate levels below 0.05 mg/L.

Silica (Sio2-3)
Natural Seawater Value: 0.040 mg/L
Acceptable Range: 0.000 to 0.500 mg/L
Tested: 2.5 mg/L
0

Potassium (K)
Natural Seawater Value: 390 mg/L
Acceptable Range: 350 to 450 mg/L
Tested: 276 mg/L
0

Calcium (Ca)
Natural Seawater Value: 400 mg/L
Acceptable Range: 350 to 450 mg/L
Tested: 426 mg/L
0

Boron (B)
Natural Seawater Value: 4.6 mg/L
Acceptable Range: 3.0 – 6.0 mg/L
Tested: 1.7 mg/L
0

Molybdenum (Mo)
Natural Seawater Value: 0.01 mg/L
Acceptable Range: 0.0 to 0.12 mg/L
Tested: 0.3 mg/L
0

Strontium (Sr)
Natural Seawater Value: 8.1 mg/L
Acceptable Range: 5.0 to 12.0 mg/L
Tested: 6.6 mg/L
0

Magnesium (Mg)
Natural Seawater Value: 1280 mg/L
Acceptable Range: 1100 to 1400 mg/L
Tested: 938 mg/L
0

Iodine (I¯)
Natural Seawater Value: 0.060 mg/L
Acceptable Range: 0.030 to 0.090 mg/L
Tested: 0.03 mg/L
0

Copper (Cu++)
Natural Seawater Value: 0.030 mg/L
Acceptable Range: 0.000 to 0.030 mg/L
Tested: 0.04 mg/L
0

Alkalinity (meq/L)
Natural Seawater Value: 2.5 meq/L
Acceptable Range: 2.5 to 5.0 meq/L
Tested: 2.88 meq/L
(GOOD) Your alkalinity level is within the recommended range. We recommend continuing
with your current water change and buffering schedule. Maintaining an appropriate alkalinity
is crucial to maintaining a healthy aquarium. A fluctuating alkalinity will lead to serious
problems in maintaining an appropriate pH, as well as problems keeping calcium and
magnesium levels within required ranges.
Thank you for using AquariumWaterTesting.com

[bertoni]

If the phosphate number is accurate, then that's rather high for stony corals. Depending on what's in the tank, you might want to do something to reduce phosphate, or at least verify their number.

[USC-fan]

I would email them because something went wrong. There shouldn't be 0's like that.

[reef / aholic]

There are a few already saying how bad AWT results are!!!

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...&highlight=AWT

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...&highlight=AWT

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...&highlight=AWT

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...&highlight=AWT

[flyguy7150]

how much is it to get your water tested at AWT??

[USC-fan]

like $30.

I use the monthly service. It gives more exact reading than my hobby kits.

[trueblackpercula]

I do not understand..................are the readings good or bad for an SPS only tank? And what actions should i take to correct what is wrong. also what should my levels be at as the look very low.

Michael

[bertoni]

The levels are fine except for phosphate.

[Billybeau1]

tbp, this is what your tank should look like.

Can't go wrong with these numbers

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

[trueblackpercula]

Ok how do i solve the low Boron , Potassium , and fix what they say about the high Copper level? and high silicate
Thanks
Michael

[reef_doug]

GFO would help the Phosphate, Silicate and copper levels already in the tank. Also measure your RO output before DI to verify the membrane is ok (10-18ppm should be ok). Then measure your DI output and see if your total output is below 2-3 ppm.

For Borate you could just leave it unless if you are having pH swings. If you decide to tinker with it you could add 1t 20 Mule Team Borax to a qt of RO/DI and pour it in the sump. Test it first by mixing some in a cup to verify there are no foams or perfumes. The version sold in U.S. is usually fine; alternatively in your next water change you could include 5gal SeaChem salt mix to your normal salt mix.

[bertoni]

Some water changes should help with the boron and potassium levels, if there's really a problem. The copper level reported is fine, and I doubt the silica is going to be a problem. I'm not sure that I trust their silica numbers.

Are any of your animals showing signs of trouble?

[trueblackpercula]

Yes all SPs were getting very light in color. I was thinking that it was low nutrients. Thats why I sent my water to them and now i do not know if I should trust there results. I have been having this problem for some time now and thats why i sent water out. So in short the added GFO that i have added to the tank will help with these problems?
Thanks and have a happy new year.
Michael
Here is a link to when it all started
http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...5&pagenumber=1

[bertoni]

The GFO might help. These articles explains why phosphate is an issue:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issu...t2002/chem.htm
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/apr2002/chem.htm

Coral coloration is a very complicated topic, though, and I don't feel qualified to say much on it.

[trueblackpercula]

Thanks will try and read them quickly later on as I must get ready to see the ball drop I will try and keep you up to date as AWT just sent me an email saying they sent me the wrong results and will send them later today. Here is what they rote me........
"Hello Michael,
Sorry for the incorrect results page that was sent to you. We have been trying to upgrade our database to accomodate the increase in business that we are experiencing. I will have the correct results pages with recommendations re-sent to you this evening. "

Thanks
Michael

[trueblackpercula]

here are there results and looking forward to hearing your advice.

michael
Ammonia (NH3-4)
Natural Seawater Value: 0.010 mg/L
Acceptable Range: 0.000 to 0.050 mg/L
Tested: 0.006 mg/L
(GOOD) Your ammonia level is within the recommended range. We recommend staying
with the current feeding and stocking levels. Be sure to maintain a good schedule of water
changes and additives. Ammonia levels can rise after the addition of new animals, after a
water change, or after the changing of food diet. Any ammonia level above 0.05 mg/L is a
cause for concern, and the source should be found and corrected.
Nitrite (NO2)
Natural Seawater Value: 0.010 mg/L
Acceptable Range: 0.000 to 0.100 mg/L
Tested: 0.003 mg/L
(GOOD) Your nitrite level is within the recommended range. We recommend continuing
with your current maintenance and feeding schedules. Residual levels of nitrite are common
in marine aquariums. Levels of 0.05 or less are of little concern. If the levels are higher than
this, the source should be found and corrected.
Nitrate (NO3)
Natural Seawater Value: 0.050 mg/L
Acceptable Range: 0.000 to 25 mg/L
Tested: 0.3 mg/L
(GOOD) Your nitrate level is within the recommended range. Be sure to maintain
reasonable stocking and feeding levels, as well as a regular water change schedule. Nitrate
is not toxic in and of itself, but a rising level is indicative of deteriorating water conditions,
and any level above 5.0 mg/L in reef aquariums is a reason for concern.
Phosphate (PO4)
Natural Seawater Value: 0.030 mg/L
Acceptable Range: 0.000 to 0.250 mg/L
Tested: 0.09 mg/L
(GOOD) Your phosphate level is within the recommended range. We recommend continuing
the current maintenance and water change schedule. The use of a phosphate absorbing
resin is recommended to keep phosphate levels below 0.05 mg/L.
Silica (Sio2-3)
Natural Seawater Value: 0.040 mg/L
Acceptable Range: 0.000 to 0.500 mg/L
Tested: 2.5 mg/L
(HIGH) Your silica level is too high. We recommend that you use a silica specific R/O
membrane in addition to deionization resin for your make-up/top-off water. You may also
use a commercially available phosphate absorber, as these will also remove some silicate.
Silicate is required by many types of sponges for growth/reproduction, but will also
encourage brown diatom algae growth. Any level above 0.3 mg/L may cause a diatom
bloom in the aquarium.
Potassium (K)
Natural Seawater Value: 390 mg/L
Acceptable Range: 350 to 450 mg/L
Tested: 276 mg/L
(LOW) Your potassium level is too low. We recommend performing a partial water change,
and possibly adding a commercial additive containing potassium. Potassium is rapidly
depleted from aquarium water by several plant and animal metabolic processes.
Maintenance of appropriate levels is critical for cellular respiration, as well as being an
important nutrient for coral zooxanthellae and macro algae.
Calcium (Ca)
Natural Seawater Value: 400 mg/L
Acceptable Range: 350 to 450 mg/L
Tested: 426 mg/L
(GOOD) Your calcium level is within the recommended range. We recommend that you
continue with your current schedule of calcium additions. Calcium is critical to healthy coral
skeletal growth, and many other biological processes. Maintenance of calcium levels that are
at or near seawater values is an important factor in having a healthy reef aquarium.
Boron (B)
Natural Seawater Value: 4.6 mg/L
Acceptable Range: 3.0 – 6.0 mg/L
Tested: 1.7 mg/L
(LOW) Your boron level is too low. We recommend performing a water change, and
possibly the addition of a commercial buffer containing borate salts. Boron is an important
part of the water buffering capacity, and a lack of boron can lead to dangerous fluctuations
in pH and alkalinity.
Molybdenum (Mo)
Natural Seawater Value: 0.01 mg/L
Acceptable Range: 0.0 to 0.12 mg/L
Tested: 0.3 mg/L
(HIGH) Your molybdenum level is too high. Molybdenum is found in many common
additives and at highly elevated levels in most salt mixes and so a vast majority of reef
tanks demonstrate a level 10 to 50 times higher than natural levels. 0.12 mg/L is the upper
toxicity limit for Molybdenum, the point at which negative effects can begin to manifest
themselves. You should suspend the use of any additives containing molybdenum. If your
level is significantly higher than acceptable you may benefit from a partial water change to
reduce this level, though your salt mix may be a contributor to the elevated level itself.
Molybdenum is important for the biological processes of bacteria, and may be of some
benefit to corals as well. High levels of molybdenum are known to encourage blooms of
slime algae or cyanobacteria.
Strontium (Sr)
Natural Seawater Value: 8.1 mg/L
Acceptable Range: 5.0 to 12.0 mg/L
Tested: 6.6 mg/L
(GOOD) Your strontium level is within the recommended range. We recommend continuing
with your current additive schedules. Strontium is important to coral growth, as they
incorporate strontium ions into their skeletal mass, particularly SPS corals. It is also
important to coralline algae growth.
Magnesium (Mg)
Natural Seawater Value: 1280 mg/L
Acceptable Range: 1100 to 1400 mg/L
Tested: 938 mg/L
(LOW) Your magnesium level is too low. We recommend doing a water change, and
possibly adding a commercial magnesium additive to bring this level up. Magnesium is a
significant portion of the water buffering capacity, and is crucial to all photosynthetic
processes as well as coral skeletal growth.
Iodine (I¯)
Natural Seawater Value: 0.060 mg/L
Acceptable Range: 0.030 to 0.090 mg/L
Tested: 0.03 mg/L
(GOOD) Your iodine level is within the recommended range. We would recommend
continuing with the current water change and additive schedule. Please be advised that
many iodine supplements are difficult to dose accurately, and “above normal” readings are
easy to achieve with common iodine additives.
Copper (Cu++)
Natural Seawater Value: 0.030 mg/L
Acceptable Range: 0.000 to 0.030 mg/L
Tested: 0.04 mg/L
(HIGH) Your copper level is too high. We recommend the use of activated carbon to reduce
this level. You should also use only RO/DI water for make-up/top-off water, as most copper
that gets into tanks comes from copper water pipes in the home. It is also an ingredient in
many fish medications. Copper is an important trace mineral for metabolic processes in
many marine organisms. However, levels above 0.05 are toxic to almost all invertebrates
and some fish species.
Alkalinity (meq/L)
Natural Seawater Value: 2.5 meq/L
Acceptable Range: 2.5 to 5.0 meq/L
Tested: 2.88 meq/L
(GOOD) Your alkalinity level is within the recommended range. We recommend continuing
with your current water change and buffering schedule. Maintaining an appropriate alkalinity
is crucial to maintaining a healthy aquarium. A fluctuating alkalinity will lead to serious
problems in maintaining an appropriate pH, as well as problems keeping calcium and
magnesium levels within required ranges.
Thank you for using AquariumWaterTesting.

[bertoni]

I would dose the magnesium up to around 1280 ppm over 4-5 days. Other than that, a few water changes should take care of any problems that the tank might have.

[Icefire]

I would look with 2 different test like ELOS/Salifert or Seachem for your magnesium. At 930 you should have less than 400 ppm of Calcium as it would precipitate.

[trueblackpercula]

Icefire
"At 930 you should have less than 400 ppm of Calcium as it would precipitate."

Are you telling me that AWT results are wrong?

Michael

[bertoni]

We'd need to know the pH daily high before we could say much.

This article might help:

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...f/index.php#12

[edandsandy]

what are GFO's?

[Boomer]

Granular Ferric Oxides, like Phosband and PhoSAR, that are used to remove phosphate from the tank water.

[trueblackpercula]

Update!!!!!
First off let me just say thanks for all the help as it has been helping.
I have raised the temp to 80 degrees
I have the halides on for 8 hours and the actinics for 10
I have lowered the salinity to 1.025
I added GFO to the tank 50 grams
stoped the use of carbon
changed 5 gallons every sunday
tryibg to raise the Magnisium level
ALK/CALCIUM are 9 and 440
I know it will take some time fro everything to take affect so i will keep you posted.
ANY OTHER SUGGESTIONS?
MICHAEL