WMAS Discussion Forum : ph, alk, nitrate problem http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/ Copyright (c) 2006-2013 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Mon, 27 Jul 2026 00:54:14 +0000 Wed, 18 Mar 2015 22:26:53 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.03 360 www.utahreefs.com/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=75341 <![CDATA[WMAS Discussion Forum]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/1by1.gif http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/ <![CDATA[ph, alk, nitrate problem : With the help of a couple of awesome...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=75341&PID=587634&title=ph-alk-nitrate-problem#587634 Author: CHAOS
Subject: 75341
Posted: March 18 2015 at 10:26pm

With the help of a couple of awesome guys we did a %50 water change today

Nitrates are down to 20
Phosphates are down to .25

and most of all, my stress level is down.

A couple of days ago I put my stock hood (2x 18" t8 white) over my sump on 24hrs
today I got a grow bulb from Lowes and put it in the $10 clip on light.
I will run that and see if we can get some serious Macro growth.

]]> Wed, 18 Mar 2015 22:26:53 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=75341&PID=587634&title=ph-alk-nitrate-problem#587634 <![CDATA[ph, alk, nitrate problem : Good advice from John. I agree...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=75341&PID=587596&title=ph-alk-nitrate-problem#587596 Author: Mark Peterson
Subject: 75341
Posted: March 18 2015 at 4:32pm

Good advice from John. I agree with all of it. 

RO water is plenty good for reef aquariums.

What we have come to call the "Home Depot Special" refugium light is absolutely awesome. It's a clip-on aluminum cone reflector with a 26W(150 W equivalent incandescent) Daylight color (not Soft White) twist compact fluorescent bulb. Be sure to secure/hang the clip light so it cannot slip and fall into the water. Embarrassed
Chemipure Blue utilizes DI Resin to remove PO4. I have a concern with using it long term. When the ion exchange resin gets saturated will it release PO4 in favor of other ionic molecules? My understanding is that ion exchange resin has this drawback, including the resin used in RO/DI water purification units. I also don't like combination products. Each tank is different. AC(Activated Carbon) becomes saturated within 2 weeks so that means tossing out the entire product, even if the other part is not saturated. 

To fit the needs of each particular tank, I adjust the amount of AA(Activated Alumina) used in one bag and the AC in another bag so they get saturated at about the same time. I generally use 3-4 times as much AC as AA.

AA does not release PO4 or silica(another benefit of AA) back into the water and in normal situations it even turns from bright white to tan to dark tan, as evidence that it's getting saturated. 

Aloha,
Mark  Hug


]]> Wed, 18 Mar 2015 16:32:00 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=75341&PID=587596&title=ph-alk-nitrate-problem#587596 <![CDATA[ph, alk, nitrate problem : Mix up some new water, test the...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=75341&PID=587525&title=ph-alk-nitrate-problem#587525 Author: Pete Moss
Subject: 75341
Posted: March 18 2015 at 7:22am

Mix up some new water, test the phosphates for a base line, then set up two containers. In one container put the newly mixed salt water in with some sand. In the other out new water and a rock. Let them sit for a couple of hours, preferably with a power head, and test phosphates again to see if it is your rock or your sand leeching phosphates.]]> Wed, 18 Mar 2015 07:22:10 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=75341&PID=587525&title=ph-alk-nitrate-problem#587525 <![CDATA[ph, alk, nitrate problem : Water is ro, not di. Justin pointed...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=75341&PID=587476&title=ph-alk-nitrate-problem#587476 Author: CHAOS
Subject: 75341
Posted: March 17 2015 at 3:37pm

Water is ro, not di. Justin pointed out that the second hand sand may be part of the problem.]]> Tue, 17 Mar 2015 15:37:39 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=75341&PID=587476&title=ph-alk-nitrate-problem#587476 <![CDATA[ph, alk, nitrate problem : I don&#039;t think your water...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=75341&PID=587473&title=ph-alk-nitrate-problem#587473 Author: Pete Moss
Subject: 75341
Posted: March 17 2015 at 2:58pm

I don't think your water is that bad.

I think you had PH swings, and your phosphates are a bit high. Phosphates will cause issues with sensitive corals, but very few animals are actually sensitive to said phosphates.

The PH swings will probably correct themselves now you have fixed a couple of things, I'd be willing to bet they're already looking better.

My next concern is the high Phosphates. With phosphates that high you run the risk of nuisance algae exploding etc. Chemipure will pull some phosphates, but honestly with them being that high you will very quickly saturate the alumina in the chemipure, and phosphates will build again. It is very unlikely that macroalgae will remove phosphates that high.

You need to find what is causing the Phosphates. What water are you filling up the tank with? Do you use RO/DI? Do a phosphate test on whatever your water source is. If that comes up as zero, then something in your tank is leeching phosphates. Rock is a common offender, but for now let's get your water source tested for phosphates and nitrates.


Edited by Pete Moss - March 17 2015 at 3:00pm]]> Tue, 17 Mar 2015 14:58:38 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=75341&PID=587473&title=ph-alk-nitrate-problem#587473 <![CDATA[ph, alk, nitrate problem : So the sand sifting star that...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=75341&PID=587469&title=ph-alk-nitrate-problem#587469 Author: CHAOS
Subject: 75341
Posted: March 17 2015 at 2:41pm

So the sand sifting star that hitchhiked into my tank a month ago is not dead, and is not a sss either. It is a brittle star, which are listed as very sensitive to bad water. I'm not sure why it's not dead but it's also not doing anything for stirring my sand.]]> Tue, 17 Mar 2015 14:41:04 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=75341&PID=587469&title=ph-alk-nitrate-problem#587469 <![CDATA[ph, alk, nitrate problem : No vinyl here, just sch40 pvc ]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=75341&PID=587459&title=ph-alk-nitrate-problem#587459 Author: CHAOS
Subject: 75341
Posted: March 17 2015 at 2:01pm

No vinyl here, just sch40 pvc]]> Tue, 17 Mar 2015 14:01:17 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=75341&PID=587459&title=ph-alk-nitrate-problem#587459 <![CDATA[ph, alk, nitrate problem : A clamp lamp from home depot with...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=75341&PID=587444&title=ph-alk-nitrate-problem#587444 Author: Pete Moss
Subject: 75341
Posted: March 17 2015 at 12:52pm

A clamp lamp from home depot with a 3500k CFL 20w bulb will grow algae like crazy in a sump, and it's under $10 total.

Lighting up a sump, especially in smaller setups, can do wonders for PH stability. If you have excess nutrients algae is also great at eating them up.

Pollutants affect a fish in many ways. Metabolic processes are only one way that pollutants are introduced into the fish's body. In my opinion dropping the temperature wouldn't effectively reduce the stress from pollutants, in fact the temperature swing could cause more harm than good. If your tank has a sump, it's more than likely that your water is saturated with oxygen. 

Everything Mark said is true, I just doubt you have a lack of oxygen in your system. Slowing down metabolism in your fish, also slows down the metabolism of detritovores, so using temperature to control metabolism with the goal of nutrient control seems like sixes to me.

Chemi Pure and a light over your fuge is a great start for sure.

Random question, are you running any vinyl tubing in your system?


Edited by Pete Moss - March 17 2015 at 12:56pm]]> Tue, 17 Mar 2015 12:52:50 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=75341&PID=587444&title=ph-alk-nitrate-problem#587444 <![CDATA[ph, alk, nitrate problem : If I&#039;m still coming by in...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=75341&PID=587443&title=ph-alk-nitrate-problem#587443 Author: AcroNem
Subject: 75341
Posted: March 17 2015 at 12:48pm

If I'm still coming by in the next couple days for your water change we'll check where the phosphates are at it should pull them out quickly. How's everything else looking? ]]> Tue, 17 Mar 2015 12:48:01 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=75341&PID=587443&title=ph-alk-nitrate-problem#587443 <![CDATA[ph, alk, nitrate problem : Looking better today, only added...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=75341&PID=587440&title=ph-alk-nitrate-problem#587440 Author: CHAOS
Subject: 75341
Posted: March 17 2015 at 12:37pm


Looking better today, only added chemi pure blue and a better light on the chaetomorpha.]]> Tue, 17 Mar 2015 12:37:14 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=75341&PID=587440&title=ph-alk-nitrate-problem#587440