Test results = Problems?

[masterswimmer]

I just received my Salifert kits. Mg, Ca, PO4 & Kh/Alk.

Seems I'm having some serious water parameter problems based on these tests.

Ca & Mg the color never even changed. So I had no reagent left in the syringe. Therefore I'm guessing my readings are >500 Ca and >1500 Mg.

My PO4 appeared as .5 (another difficult reading to take) very high, and my Kh/Alk was at 6.4/2.29, very low.

Where do I start here? I am starting to have a green algae growth all over the rock and sand. And a green hairy algae on the back glass and powerheads. Any suggestions?

Other readings are:
Ph = 8.1
Ammo = 0
'trites = 0
'trates = 0
SG = 1.025
temp = 82.3

Yellow polyps, zoo's, featherdusters, mushrooms are all opening nicely. Only one fish, firefish goby is out and about looking real good.

As always, thanx for your help,
Russ

[Tomzpc]

Russ,

I assume that you've tested more than once?

The first thing to do is to get your alk and calcium back into balance. I'd do a decent size (15-20 gallon?) water change for starters. Are you using B-Ionic? If so, then don't add the calcium portion for a bit and increase your alk dosage for a few days until you get them back in balance. I'd check through some of Randy Holmes Farley's threads here on Rc regarding the alk/calcium balance and how best to fix problems.

As for the phosphates, how is your skimmer doing? Skim as much as you can without causing a flood. If you have a couple extra powerheads then drop them into the tank to really kick up the flow for a bit. Keep your lights off for a couple of days to try and help retard the algae growth. None of your inhabitants will mind a bit. Try to manually harvest algae (a real PITA but it will help long-term) when you siphon water.

Algae outbreaks are very common in new setups, until the tank has had time to mature. Good luck. I'm sure you'll keep us posted.

[masterswimmer]

I just did about a 15 gallon water change Sunday and Monday. (Sunday I did a 10 gallon change & Monday I had my 5 - 6 gallon mishap).

I am going to manually 'harvest' some of the algae growth and I'm going to shorten the photo period. We'll see how this works and then I'll test again.

Thanx Tom,
Russ

[seaham358]

what if anything are you adding to the water?
Is that kit able to test fresh water? If so test your ro/di water and see what the reading is for phosphates. Just wondering....
When I set up my 125 I had 1 rock grow the worst hair algae.. Only on 1 rock so I wonder if the LR is a large part of algae growth. Minerals in the rock ect.