PDA

View Full Version : are these params good?

demon666
09-17-2005, 09:54 PM
temp 29 c
ph 8.4
nitrite .005 ppm
nitrate 0ppm
ammonia 0.04ppm
calcium 500ppm
phosphate 0.01ppm
Invigor
09-17-2005, 10:17 PM
hmm that's some crazy calcium

how's the alkalinity?
demon666
09-17-2005, 10:21 PM
sorry forgot to write that one down........

my test doesnt give ppm for alk....... just says normal........
demon666
09-17-2005, 10:21 PM
i know calcium should be around 450 is 500 really bad?
fatpuffer
09-17-2005, 10:36 PM
too much amm and nitrite. It should be zero!


Js
Skimmerking
09-17-2005, 10:36 PM
No 500 isnt bad unless you have somestuff in the tank that is comsuming the Calcium.

It can add some damage over time to your impellers on the pumps ...


mike
demon666
09-17-2005, 10:41 PM
water changes to fix that? 10 or 20%
Ruth
09-18-2005, 03:34 AM
How long has your tank been set up? With reading of ammonia and nitrite it seems it is still cycling?
demon666
09-18-2005, 04:18 AM
its been up and running for over 1 1/2 months closer to 2 months found out the wife hasnt cleaned the filter since the last time i did it...... damn its been runnib for closer to 3 months come to think of it.
Johnny Reefer
09-19-2005, 08:46 AM
It's impossible to have zero ammonia and nitrite.
Your ammonia and nitrite readings are fine.

Cheers,
fatpuffer
09-19-2005, 01:16 PM
It is not impossible to have zero amm and nitri...maybe nitrate but not those two parameters. I have a marine tank with no detectable amm or nitrite...when Nitrate goes up, i do a water change.


Sounds like it is cycling. Maybe a mini-cycle. Check if there are leftovers around the rocks.


Js
Ruth
09-19-2005, 01:25 PM
I know when I test my tanks I get 0 or non detectable on Ammonia and Nitrite. I do get reading for Nitrate just before a water change of 5-20 occasionally. Since removing most of my sponges I rarely even get that anymore.
I think your tank is going through a mini cycle - any dead fish that you didn't get out?
Anyway water change and really clean your filter media. FWIW I would only use a cannister filter to run carbon and let your live rock do the rest.
demon666
09-19-2005, 03:54 PM
just alittle bit of "left overs" but was waiting on my cleaner crew now they are in and no more leftovers. canister filter is only running carbon.... will monitor to see if the readings are going down.
Johnny Reefer
09-19-2005, 10:57 PM
It is not impossible to have zero amm and nitri...maybe nitrate but not those two parameters. I have a marine tank with no detectable amm or nitrite...when Nitrate goes up, i do a water change.


Sounds like it is cycling. Maybe a mini-cycle. Check if there are leftovers around the rocks.


Js

Nitrification happens all the time, not just during cycling. Consequently, there will always be ammonia and nitrite in the water. Just at reduced levels, is all. Therefore, a reading of zero does not mean that there is zero ammonia and nitrites in the water. It just means that, like you say, it is "non-detectable". But it's still there.
At any rate... readings of 0.04 for ammonia, and 0.01 for nitrites are waaaaaay within acceptable levels.
The calcium does appear high, though.

Cheers,