PLEASE help with my parameters

tvrsir · #1 01/18/2006, 10:45 PM

20 gallon high
ac110 refugium diy with 10k light 24hrs
250watts xm 15k with pfo ballast

these are my parameter

temp 78-81 degrees
salinity 1.025-1.026
ca at 380
alkalinty at 13
phospate 0
nitrate 0
nitrite 0
ammonia 0
ph8.0-8.2

i was told my alkalinty and ca are not balance how can i fix this?
also i notice that my salinity is high or is it okay?

i really want to start putting sps in my tank.
i tried some montiporas and all have bleached away in a week.
also my xenias are slowing dying and my leather coral seem not to open up so much anymore. please i need some help with this.

i have tried changing the water every other day with a salt mix of
1.022 salinty and ph of 8.2 at 78 degrees

i am using ro di water

egdevilboy · #2 01/18/2006, 10:51 PM

salinity is fine. if you wish to lower a little just top off with RO.

Alk is a lil high and the CA isnt too bad. could raise it a little but should be alright.

llamart · #3 01/18/2006, 10:53 PM

You can do some top off with RO water and add Calcium Chloride and that should take care of it. You might want to check your magnesium. Generally calcium and ALK become unstable when mag is off.

tvrsir · #4 01/18/2006, 11:16 PM

will my ca level drop if i keep topping off with ro di water until i reach 1.022 salinity? i mean should i still do my water changes. or should i stop until i reach a more preferable salinty and alkalinty.

what have you guys done to raise ca. i was told by my local shop which i respect lots to just keep doing small water changes. cause he said a lil 20 gallon i shouldn't add any chemicals or should i say need to add any chemicals

Clayman · #5 01/18/2006, 11:46 PM

You want your salinty at 1.025 so you are fine there. The rest is not bad but Calcium should be over 400 and closer to 450 and the target for Alkinty is between 8-12dKH.

tvrsir · #6 01/19/2006, 12:01 AM

okay what can i do to raise ca and lower alkalinity.

i have kent buffer
sea chem raises calcium liquid products.

or just kepp doing water changes

llamart · #7 01/19/2006, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by llamart
You can do some top off with RO water and add Calcium Chloride and that should take care of it. You might want to check your magnesium. Generally calcium and ALK become unstable when mag is off.

The Calcium Chloride will raise your calcium. So it will be helpful especially when you are doing the water changes to lower the ALK.

Also you do want to get your calcium at 400-440

llamart · #8 01/19/2006, 08:20 AM

And if your salinity lowers, add some salt...