Would someone be able to to give me some perameter advice? I am still waiting on my Hanna testers for calcium, nitrate and phosphate. I did use my new Salifert magnesium, PH and alkalinity tests, so I'm fairly sure they're accurate. I used API for nitrate and phosphate (I don't think it's at all accurate).
I have a 75 gallon reef tank with fish, inverts, a BTA, and zoas. I'm trying to get my levels stabilized and within the normal range. I did two large water changes last week that definitely helped, but stressed my tank out. I'm frustrated.
So, I finally broke down and bought some Hanna Checkers, I've been in and out of the hobby since the late 80s and have always relied on titration tests but with my latest system I have not been able to nail down my parameters, I tested one number and my LFS with my own test kit tested a wildly different number. I know these test kits vary wildly from manufacturer to manufacturer and from user to user but my own back to back tests were all over the place. I know Hanna tests have variations but for me and my old ass eyes it's much easier to read a digital number display than try to distinguish between shades of pink, blue and green.
Just wanted to share this to save you guys some money, these are the same exact replacement cuvettes for your Hanna checkers only difference is they don’t come with caps but you can use the ones that come with the old cuvettes, just remember to save them! Copy this link 👇🏽
https://hannainst.com/hi731359-round-glass-replacement-cuvettes-for-hi759-25-pcs.html?
srsltid=AfmBOorrgDJyjK5wlfCfrw37LHohijn12
Added the AutoAqua stirrer, the Hanna and Salifert organizers+dry rack. Complete game changer on test day. No more toting everything around a little at a time, digging for reagents, and just minimized overall clutter. The stirrer makes Salifert extremely simple to determine color changes. No more rubbing my head and patting my belly wondering if those 3 extra drops were too many. Much more controlled titration. Consistency in Hanna has improved as well. No more shaking the vials wondering if it’s completely mixed. Has shaved probably 15-20 minutes off testing days. Mostly hands free, organized, and made parameter testing much more relaxing. 10/10 would buy again 🤌
Things are thriving despite my worry over bottomed out nitrate levels! I got myself a Hanna Nitrate tester so I can more accurately see where things are at. I’m so far benchmark test with it is 1.29ppm. I have Brightwell Neonitro on hand just in case but refraining from using it yet till I monitor trends for a little while. Started increasing feedings and changing the filter sock once a week instead of twice in case things were ‘too clean’. But despite my worry, everything is happy and growing!
Little high on calcium but I think the Hanna is off some
Question! I’ve been dosing R2R for a couple weeks now and got my alkalinity, mag and calcium pretty dialed in after some trial and error and daily testing. My PH has been running on the high side, about 8.6 average with sometimes Hanna blinking so might be a little more than that. Everything seems happy, would you do anything to lower it a little? Been doing some reading and maybe simply changing positioning of the wave maker and pumps to get more surface agitation or would adding a protein skimmer help?? Welcome to any suggestions! Thanks!
Over the last month and a half I have lowered my phosphates from .78ppm to .28ppm
These are my parameters. Corals are doing overall better now that I lowered phosphates, but I’m struggling to keep calcium lower, and nitrates maybe just a little higher. Any recommendations?
I’ve been doing about 12-14% water changes weekly. Should I hold back and not do a water change???
8-4-25
Salinity: 1.026/ 35.3
Ph: 8.13
Magnesium: 1410 ppm
Calcium Hanna: 525
Nitrate: 2.3 ppm
Phosphate: .28 ppm
Alkalinity: 9.5
Good afternoon from my family to yours!!
Little question for the day: Should I add another fish to help increase nitrates and phosphates??
I scrubbed majority of the hair algea off a few days ago now, retested today and my numbers are still reading zero. I'm using the API tests for now, planning to buy hanna tests soon and also waiting for my order of reef roids to come in the mail. I turned off my skimmer a few days ago. Only filtration going on in my sump is the filter sock.
As was recommended, I did a 20% water change yesterday. Finally have all new testing supplies (Hanna nitrate, phosphate, calcium and Salifert ph magnesium and alkalinity). My levels are still off. I can try testing again later, but I feel so defeated. My BTA looks awful and I'm terrified I'm going to lose it.
Any thoughts or suggestions?
Would someone be able to to give me some perameter advice? I am still waiting on my Hanna testers for calcium, nitrate and phosphate. I did use my new Salifert magnesium, PH and alkalinity tests, so I'm fairly sure they're accurate. I used API for nitrate and phosphate (I don't think it's at all accurate).
I have a 75 gallon reef tank with fish, inverts, a BTA, and zoas. I'm trying to get my levels stabilized and within the normal range. I did two large water changes last week that definitely helped, but stressed my tank out. I'm frustrated.