Just Doesn't Seem Right
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Main
Forum Name: General Discussion
Forum Description: Posts that don't fit in any of the other categories.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=37949
Printed Date: November 04 2024 at 3:04pm
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Topic: Just Doesn't Seem Right
Posted By: mcbrown
Subject: Just Doesn't Seem Right
Date 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. |
Replies:
Posted By: Aquaristnewbie
Date 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. ------------- 150 gallon Reef Millcreek Utah |
Posted By: Corey Price
Date 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... |
Posted By: bfessler
Date Posted: January 16 2010 at 10:41am
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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] |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date 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.
If this information is news to you, you may want to read this the 3rd post here: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 - http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
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