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mcbrown 
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Joined: March 25 2008
Location: West Jordan
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 Topic: Just Doesn't Seem Right
Posted: January 16 2010 at 9:56am |
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OK, so I haven't been as attentive to my tank as I should have been in the past few months. I got out of the habit of testing the water and it has been a while since I did a water change. I have decided though that I need to recommit myself as I really enjoy my tank and this hobby.
So this morning I checked the pH, Nitrates, Nitrites, Ammonia, and specific gravity. They all checked out right where they should be. I was worried about the parameters being way off and am somewhat concerned that maybe my test kits are off.
In the time that my tank went through some neglect, I didn't lose any of my fish and some of my corals have really started to flourish. To some extent I am just looking for some piece of mind that I am not going insane here.
I guess my question is should I be concerned that maybe my test kits are off? I still plan on doing a water change this weekend, but I am just looking for some input from other hobbyists on the board.
Thank you for your time.
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Aquaristnewbie
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Joined: December 14 2007
Location: Denmark
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Posted: January 16 2010 at 10:05am |
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I would not worry. If your tank has been up for a while they tend to stay pretty close to in range on things. I test mine only about once a month just to make sure everything is in check and it usually is. It just makes me fell better. If everything seems happy I would say your kits are just fine.
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150 gallon Reef
Millcreek Utah
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Corey Price
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Joined: August 25 2004
Location: Farmington
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Posted: January 16 2010 at 10:25am |
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<--Tests for calcium, alkalinity, and occasionally magnesium, but not too regularly... I let the coral tell me if something else is off... My tank looks good.
Woohoo! 2000th post...
Edited by Corey Price - January 16 2010 at 10:26am
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bfessler
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Joined: March 13 2009
Location: Lehi
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Posted: January 16 2010 at 10:41am |
I leave my tanks alone for 3 to 10 days at a time frequently as I travel to CA on business. To be honest except for having to clean the glass the tanks usually look better when I leave them alone.
Your test kits are probably fine and if the corals are flourishing it looks like all that's needed to keep up the routine maintenance.  |
Burt
An equal opportunity reefer,
I support all hobbyists and organizations involved in Marine Aquarium Keeping.
[email protected]
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Mark Peterson
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Joined: June 19 2002
Location: Murray
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Posted: January 16 2010 at 6:37pm |
 Definitely need to check Alkalinity and Calcium.
This may surprise you but of the list of things you tested, the only one I ever bother with is Salinity. The N compounds, like Corey said, are visible in the appearance of the coral. The pH follows Alk as long as you have decent water flow and gas exchange at the surface.
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