Tank Chemistry Problem

[LeslieS]

I have the worst time grasping the relationship between the different chemical components in my tank. Here is my problem:

Temp 79 degrees
SG 1.025
Ph 8.2
KH value in dKH 3.2 Alkalinity in meq/L 1.4
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 20 (I left my decaying gorgonians in the tank in case there were some polyps left on them. There were, but now my NO3 are high.)
Calcium 430
Magnesium 1170 (the freshly mixed salt water is low in Mg. I have ordered supplement)

My question is how can my alkalinity be so off, and what should I do to fix it. I have B-ionic 2 part solution, but have not been using it.

Thanks!!!!

 

[LeslieS]

I forgot to add that I am not running any carbon, but I added 125mg of RowaPhos to the media chamber in my skimmer on Wednesday.

 

[tosiek]

what are you dosing with les? and whats your bicarb and carbonate alk levels? From what i've noticed in my tank is that magnesium plays some part in alk levels. I couldn't get mine up at all till i raised low mag to normal. Just experience and i'm no expert, still at your stages of tank chemistry. Also read that sometimes rowa messes with chem balance sometimes.

sorry for not beeing more helpful.

 

[loismustdie]

It's your rowaphos. Once your PO4 is under control, you can reduce your amounts and dose the b-ionic to get your levels up. If you PO4 is good, you can start with the b-ionic now, just keep in mind that the Rowa will take some in. Odds are, you will be unable to dose equal parts. You will need more alk than Ca.

 

[LeslieS]

Thanks Guys!

 

[reefman]

It's your rowaphos. Once your PO4 is under control, you can reduce your amounts and dose the b-ionic to get your levels up. If you PO4 is good, you can start with the b-ionic now, just keep in mind that the Rowa will take some in. Odds are, you will be unable to dose equal parts. You will need more alk than Ca.

i didnt know rowaphos drives alk down? is that the reason y its better to dose small amounts n change more often?

 

[ming]

Since you already have corals in that tank, I would suggest a large water change to bring things to acceptable levels. I would also suppliment some part 1 of b-ionics to bring alk levels up. Suppliment the mg when you get it

 

[LeslieS]

Since you already have corals in that tank, I would suggest a large water change to bring things to acceptable levels. I would also suppliment some part 1 of b-ionics to bring alk levels up. Suppliment the mg when you get it

Hey Ming, How was the PA swap?

I did a 30 gallon water change today, and I am fixing the bad behaviors that led to the po problem. (not rinsing food cubes)

I also changed my sump light and added more algae to the sump to help keep the nitrates under control. With that po4 spike you would think my macro algae would grow just fine, but it had faded away over time.

 

[ming]

The PA swap was okay. I spent a lot more then expected. The corals are being dipped until about midnight before I put them in my tank.

Having extra PO4 wont necessarily make your macro algae grow better because even macro algae dont need that much PO4 to grow.

What type of macro algae do you have thats fading away?

 

[LeslieS]

caulerpa

 

[loismustdie]

i didnt know rowaphos drives alk down? is that the reason y its better to dose small amounts n change more often?

Kind of like what Ming is saying, do a big w/c or 2. As long as your PO4 is under control, you can use rowa more conservatively and you will be able to balance out 2 parts fairly easily. If PO4 is still a problem, stay conservative with the 2 part solutions and hammer the tank with rowa and water changes.
Reefman, Once PO4 is under control, small amounts of GFO's will not do too much to your alk, but your alk should also be dosed in small amounts more frequently for best results. Although Brendan is very innovative with his "pouring technique" where he uses his hands and like a glass or something, dosing pumps rock and you will get better results with them. (just busting your ba11s Brenden.:lol2:

 

[fritz]

When I had this problem I corrected the alk lost to the GFO by adding a ton of alk to my top off water. This way as my ATO added water throughout the day it also added some alk.

 

[Pedro]

Leslie, watch out for the fading macro algea, it will just release the nutrients back into the water so you might be climbing an uphill battle.

 

[LeslieS]

Having extra PO4 wont necessarily make your macro algae grow better because even macro algae dont need that much PO4 to grow.

Macro Algae does use some PO4 though right? When I was having an algae cycle, everyone told me to check phosphates. Which I didn't have back then :happysad: .

 

[ming]

Yes, it does use some PO4.
When Caulerpa has lack of NO3, thats usually when it goes sexual. You'll see the stems turning very pale and clear, and shortly afterwards, it'll start to make your tank cloudy.

 

[LeslieS]

OK, on the 21st I added 125mg of Rowaphos to the media chamber on my skimmer. My alkalinity dropped, but the phosphates are still at 1.0.

I have since done a 12 gallon water change (10%), a 30 gallon water change, and another 12 gallon water change.

How long does it usually take for the Rowaphos to work?

 

[Deanos]

How long does it usually take for the Rowaphos to work?

Instantly! The moment your tank water hits the media, phosphates will begin to be removed.

How long before you see measurable results depends on 3 things:

• how much phosphates you began with
• how much Rowaphos you're using
• how much flow is going through the media
• how much phosphates are being removed by other sources (water changes, macro algae, etc)
• how much phosphate you're adding via other sources (new saltwater, topoff water, food, etc)
• how you're measuring phosphate levels