Help with test kit...

ethuman · 10/22/2017, 06:27 PM

So ive been getting high readings on my Red Sea test kits for mag and cal. The alk i assume is bad because it says my alk is over 14. I decided to test my mixed salt water for these levels before i did my water change as well as the tank water.

Mixed salt water
Ca 450
Mg 1320

Tank water
Ca 490
Mg 1480

I there any way the levels would go up in the DT over a week? Or should i consider the test kits bad? They both expire in January. Also i am using reef crystals for salt.

I bought the Red Sea kits when i first started buying corals but have found that salifert kits are a bit easier so I’ve been switching over when its time to buy new test kits. Anybody else have this trouble or any idea what’s going on?

Haunt · 10/22/2017, 06:29 PM

How old is your tank? Does everything look ok? If all is well sometimes the best thing to do is nothing at all. In other words your "routine" might be ok. GL.

ethuman · 10/22/2017, 06:36 PM

Tank is 2 years old and everything is doing well. No fish deaths and corals all have growth and color (LPS and Softies). I am dealing with a little bit of cyno but other than that i have no complaints and hadn’t planned on messing with anything just looking for some answers

Haunt · 10/22/2017, 06:42 PM

Sounds good IMO. Cyanobacteria is just something that happens. (slack) Maybe step up the flow? (clean your pumps) If everything looks good though don't "break up the party" so to say.

GL

ethuman · 10/22/2017, 06:56 PM

It’s weird because it actually grows on the rock work right in front of the power head. Do i have enough flow? 2 koralia 850 1 koralia 1150 mag7 for return pump and a hob fuge with a rio 600gph pump. Tank is a 72g bow so i think that’s more than enough but i could be wrong...

thegrun · 10/23/2017, 09:31 AM

Did your test kits expire last January or in 2018? How much did the Ca and Mg go up in a week, you don't give the numbers? Increased flow will certrainly help reduce Cyanobacteria problems.

mcgyvr · 10/23/2017, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ethuman

So ive been getting high readings on my Red Sea test kits for mag and cal. The alk i assume is bad because it says my alk is over 14. ..

Also i am using reef crystals for salt.

Reef Crystals has high levels for alk/mag/cal..
Specifically
13dkh for alk
490ppm cal
1440ppm mag..

There also seem to be some inconsistencies reported lately in their salt... (but I thought most were lower readings)

And we don't know yet if you are even using the test kits properly.. believe it or not many people don't even know how to use/read a syringe correctly.. (and don't feel bad at all if you are one of those)

If they aren't expired I doubt they are incorrect.. (not impossible though)... BUT to have all 3 bad is highly unlikely and I'd assume its just something you are doing incorrectly..
Can you take a sample to your LFS to verify..
And maybe watch some videos online of how to use the kits properly..

ethuman · 10/23/2017, 11:10 AM

The kits expire Jan of 18 but I will certainly check out some videos tonight to make sure I am doing the tests properly. As far a readings go last week the Ca was 430 and Mg was 1320 in the tank.

Jon0807 · 10/23/2017, 05:33 PM

My reef crystals have been testing low for alk and mag. Calcium seems to be ok but low for what their claims are. I've been using salifert for alk and mag and api for calcium. I just ordered red sea test kits and should be getting them at the end of this week. I'm thinking maybe it's just my test kits but we'll see how red sea does

ethuman · 10/23/2017, 07:47 PM

Checked out some videos to see if i was doing the tests properly and i am. I will have my LFS run the tests later this week when i go there and see what they come up with. Everything seems happy in the tank so for now ill just keep doing what I’m doing. Thanks to those who have replied

jubei2006 · 10/23/2017, 08:17 PM

If everything is doing well i wouldnt sweat it too much. On a side note, with values like that, you don't need to dose right now!

10/22/2017, 06:27 PM	#1
ethuman Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Buffalo,NY Posts: 194	Help with test kit... So ive been getting high readings on my Red Sea test kits for mag and cal. The alk i assume is bad because it says my alk is over 14. I decided to test my mixed salt water for these levels before i did my water change as well as the tank water. Mixed salt water Ca 450 Mg 1320 Tank water Ca 490 Mg 1480 I there any way the levels would go up in the DT over a week? Or should i consider the test kits bad? They both expire in January. Also i am using reef crystals for salt. I bought the Red Sea kits when i first started buying corals but have found that salifert kits are a bit easier so I’ve been switching over when its time to buy new test kits. Anybody else have this trouble or any idea what’s going on?

10/22/2017, 06:29 PM	#2
Haunt Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 109	How old is your tank? Does everything look ok? If all is well sometimes the best thing to do is nothing at all. In other words your "routine" might be ok. GL. __________________ "Your off the edge of the map mate. Here there be monsters..."

10/22/2017, 06:42 PM	#4
Haunt Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 109	Sounds good IMO. Cyanobacteria is just something that happens. (slack) Maybe step up the flow? (clean your pumps) If everything looks good though don't "break up the party" so to say. GL __________________ "Your off the edge of the map mate. Here there be monsters..."

10/23/2017, 05:33 PM	#9
Jon0807 Registered Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 293	My reef crystals have been testing low for alk and mag. Calcium seems to be ok but low for what their claims are. I've been using salifert for alk and mag and api for calcium. I just ordered red sea test kits and should be getting them at the end of this week. I'm thinking maybe it's just my test kits but we'll see how red sea does __________________ 40g breeder DT, 40g breeder sump

10/22/2017, 06:36 PM	#3
ethuman Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Buffalo,NY Posts: 194	Tank is 2 years old and everything is doing well. No fish deaths and corals all have growth and color (LPS and Softies). I am dealing with a little bit of cyno but other than that i have no complaints and hadn’t planned on messing with anything just looking for some answers

10/22/2017, 06:56 PM	#5
ethuman Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Buffalo,NY Posts: 194	It’s weird because it actually grows on the rock work right in front of the power head. Do i have enough flow? 2 koralia 850 1 koralia 1150 mag7 for return pump and a hob fuge with a rio 600gph pump. Tank is a 72g bow so i think that’s more than enough but i could be wrong...

10/23/2017, 09:31 AM	#6
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	Did your test kits expire last January or in 2018? How much did the Ca and Mg go up in a week, you don't give the numbers? Increased flow will certrainly help reduce Cyanobacteria problems.

10/23/2017, 11:10 AM	#8
ethuman Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Buffalo,NY Posts: 194	The kits expire Jan of 18 but I will certainly check out some videos tonight to make sure I am doing the tests properly. As far a readings go last week the Ca was 430 and Mg was 1320 in the tank.

10/23/2017, 07:47 PM	#10
ethuman Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Buffalo,NY Posts: 194	Checked out some videos to see if i was doing the tests properly and i am. I will have my LFS run the tests later this week when i go there and see what they come up with. Everything seems happy in the tank so for now ill just keep doing what I’m doing. Thanks to those who have replied

10/23/2017, 08:17 PM	#11
jubei2006 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Newton, nc Posts: 68	If everything is doing well i wouldnt sweat it too much. On a side note, with values like that, you don't need to dose right now!