Full test kit now

[Sewerat]

So today I just got the rest of what I think is all I should need for my test kit. As time goes on I will likely upgrade in my quality but I think I have most of what I need now. I currently have tests for
Ph
Phosphate
Nitrate
Nitrite
Ammonia
All in API kits
And today just showed up was
Copper from sea chem along with a bottle of cupamine
And a reef kit from Red Sea testing
Calcium
Magnesium
Alkalinity

After testing today I think all seems to be in line with my tank with the slight exception that I have high nitrates due to currently running well water.
My CA, Mg and dKH are all very high. Ph at 8.3 nitrates at 80. Rest is currently at 0. Salinity sitting at 1.025

Question is how often do you test? Everything or just some stuff?

 

[EricTMah]

Looks like you have all the tests you need.

With N03 so high.  I would suggest testing that more often until you get it in check.

Normally I'd test DKH, CA, and Mag every three days until you have the numbers dialed in to where they're supposed to be and maintaining those levels for a week or so.  Then you're able to switch to weekly testing.  After a while of your levels staying stable, some will actually switch to bi-weekly or even monthly testing.

What are your actual DKH, CA and MAG levels if they're on the "high" side?

 

[Sewerat]

460 calcium 12.6dkh and 1800 mag. Without any dosing stuff or additives.  The tap water tests with 60 no3 so it will be a challenge to get it down until I get my ro/Di system up and running next week sometime

 

[EricTMah]

WOW!

Those are some high numbers. 

Get that RO/DI unit running as soon as you can.

 

[Neopimp]

Well water will be pretty hard in many areas to begin with.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Poseidon]

WOW!

Those are some high numbers. 

Get that RO/DI unit running as soon as you can.

+1

 

[reeferkeeper420]

Yeah that mag is through the roof..r u sure u did the test correctly??

 

[Sewerat]

Ya took almost a full ml for all the tests to change colour.

 

[Reef Hero]

Have you tested your well water though to see what the alk and mag and ca and other levels are in it since you are dumping that directly into your tank?? That's the biggest problem when not using rodi water is that you will be additional additional trace elements to what is already included in the salt you use.... Then when you mix it up, you will be combining all them together.... Bottom line here is that I have never seen anyone run a successful reef tank long term on well water..... The challenge now will be to get out all the unwanted elements you have added to your tank by using well water.... Good luck and keep us updated


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Sewerat]

I have not tested the well with the new kits, but did with my last batch of kits but just simply checking the hardness and the nitrates. Game plan is once my ro/di system is set up it will be time for major water changes I will do 50gal changes every two weeks for a couple weeks to get it down at first. But then the top offs will. Be with ro/Di so I know I won't ever completely eliminate it but will drastically reduce it.

 

[theyangman]

I don't get how his calcium is at 460, yet his alk is 12.6 and mg is 1800. Something seems out of whack there no?

I'd run three sets of tests in a row to make sure there was no user error.

 

[Sewerat]

I might be reading my results wrong from the test booklet but long and short of it a Red Sea test kit used .9ml of test solution to change colour on all 3 tests. I'll look it up again when I get home.