Aquarium Chemistry Question? Ask the Doctor!

[saullman]

Is it safe to run a phosphate remover and a nitrate remover at the same time?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Is it safe to run a phosphate remover and a nitrate remover at the same time?

yes, if you need both reduced.

 

[Byron malta]

That is normal. Photosynthesis consumes CO2 during the day, raising pH.
Respiration is constantly adding CO2, and at night it predominates, reducing pH.

Hi Randy. So thats why the refgium light is on when the tank light is off? to keep the ph more stable?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Hi Randy. So thats why the refgium light is on when the tank light is off? to keep the ph more stable?

Yes, and to provide O2 when the main tank O2 is at a minimum.

 

[Byron malta]

Yes, and to provide O2 when the main tank O2 is at a minimum.

So the best thing to do to keep ph stable is give 24/7 light. either in DT or fuge. Right?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

So the best thing to do to keep ph stable is give 24/7 light. either in DT or fuge. Right?

Yes, some light somewhere 24/7.

pH stability may not be the primary goal, but if it is, lighting the refugium just at night (offsetting the display tank) would "stabilize" it more than 24/7 lighting of the refugium (where it offsets the low at night but adds to he high during the day).

 

[Danny Venditti]

Randy,

Quick question, I recently noticed my ALK has dropped rather significantly to 7 (usually 7.8-8) and my PH has dramatically risen to 8.4+ (Usually 7.9 at night and rises to 8.2ish during light hours) should I be concerned?
All else seems good CA @ 445 and MG @ 1370. Not that I am complaining about 8.4 PH but I want to make sure its not a sign of something bad to come.

pic is the last 24 hours

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

If the pH rose for some reason, then deposition of calcium carbonate (both by organisms and abiotic precipitation) will typically increase, resulting in an alk decline.

 

[Danny Venditti]

If the pH rose for some reason, then deposition of calcium carbonate (both by organisms and abiotic precipitation) will typically increase, resulting in an alk decline.

Yeah I understand that, I just though it odd that is rose over from a normal 8.2 to 8.4+ all of a sudden with not change in dosing or anything else really. I did recently change to HW salt but that was several changes ago.

 

[scsdukefan408]

@Randy Holmes-Farley if I’m wanting to increase my nitrates from 1-5 can I do it all at once or do I need to slowly raise it?

Thanks

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

@Randy Holmes-Farley if I’m wanting to increase my nitrates from 1-5 can I do it all at once or do I need to slowly raise it?

Thanks

All at once is fine. It can deplete rapidly and you may need daily dosing.

 

[hotashes]

@Randy Holmes-Farley which NitrAte source is best to raise NitrAtes? I would imagine adding fish would be a natural was, however I’m looking at all best options.

Potassium NitrAte, Sodium NitrAte????

TIA

A.

 

[Brew12]

@Randy Holmes-Farley which NitrAte source is best to raise NitrAtes? I would imagine adding fish would be a natural was, however I’m looking at all best options.

Potassium NitrAte, Sodium NitrAte????

TIA

A.

Sodium nitrate is typically preferred to avoid a build up of potassium. The sodium will impact salinity but tanks naturally have a much higher sodium level than potassium.

 

[Luiz Cancino]

I just checked my calcium and alkalinity as would like to start dosing 2 part. My calcium came to 375ppm and my alkalinity at 8.9 dKH. I would like to get my calcium up to about 420-430 ppm. So I guess my question is, is it okay to simply dose calcium without dosing alk? I hear you should do both together but that would make my all go through the roof.

 

[Brew12]

I just checked my calcium and alkalinity as would like to start dosing 2 part. My calcium came to 375ppm and my alkalinity at 8.9 dKH. I would like to get my calcium up to about 420-430 ppm. So I guess my question is, is it okay to simply dose calcium without dosing alk? I hear you should do both together but that would make my all go through the roof.

Yes, it is fine to dose just calcium to raise the level. Dosing one to get them where you want it is fine. Long term it can be a sign of an issue if you only have to dose one and not the other.

 

[Luiz Cancino]

Yes, it is fine to dose just calcium to raise the level. Dosing one to get them where you want it is fine. Long term it can be a sign of an issue if you only have to dose one and not the other.

Thank you very much!

 

[Aedanmor]

Randy - in speaking with my local LFS when purchasing a Tahitian maxima clam, I was told that it’s possible that a tank can run “too clean.” Right now I have it all balanced at the following:

Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0
Alk: 10 dKh
Phosphate: 0
Calcium: 360 ppm
Salinity: 1.024
Temp: 78f

Everything seems heathy and growing ok. But that too clean comment made me wonder about the clam. Does it need nitrate?

I do have a refugium going as well, although it really only has a massive brittle star in it.

One other question: I’ve been dosing calcium seemingly a lot but I can never seem to get it above 340-360. Would dosing it a ton to get it to 420 shock the tank?

Life in tank:

Green star polyps
Red Zoanthids (I forget what kind)
2 red bubble tip nems
Red cap montipora
2 blue chalice corals
Green toadstool coral
Bubble coral
5-head branching hammer
Frogspawn
Green Aussie torch
1 small acan lord frag

Thoughts?

 

[Brew12]

Randy - in speaking with my local LFS when purchasing a Tahitian maxima clam, I was told that it’s possible that a tank can run “too clean.” Right now I have it all balanced at the following:

Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0
Alk: 10 dKh
Phosphate: 0
Calcium: 360 ppm
Salinity: 1.024
Temp: 78f

Everything seems heathy and growing ok. But that too clean comment made me wonder about the clam. Does it need nitrate?

I do have a refugium going as well, although it really only has a massive brittle star in it.

One other question: I’ve been dosing calcium seemingly a lot but I can never seem to get it above 340-360. Would dosing it a ton to get it to 420 shock the tank?

Life in tank:

Green star polyps
Red Zoanthids (I forget what kind)
2 red bubble tip nems
Red cap montipora
2 blue chalice corals
Green toadstool coral
Bubble coral
5-head branching hammer
Frogspawn
Green Aussie torch
1 small acan lord frag

Thoughts?

My thought is that if you have enough nutrients for your LPS then there is plenty for a clam.

I'm not sure if a large dose of calcium would cause a problem, but I am curious what your magnesium is.

 

[Jason0203]

I am having trouble keeping my Alkalinity, Calcium and PH up. I don’t want to dose a lot and would rather find a long term solution rather than just a temp fix. Any suggestions? Here are my parameters.

Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0
Alk: 6.5 dKh
Phosphate: 0
Calcium: 360 ppm
Salinity: 1.025
PH: 7.8
Temp: 79.2 F

 

[Brew12]

I am having trouble keeping my Alkalinity, Calcium and PH up. I don’t want to dose a lot and would rather find a long term solution rather than just a temp fix. Any suggestions? Here are my parameters.

Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0
Alk: 6.5 dKh
Phosphate: 0
Calcium: 360 ppm
Salinity: 1.025
PH: 7.8
Temp: 79.2 F

You have a few different options for Alkalinity and Calcium but most of them involve some kind of dosing. Other than more frequent water changes the only non-dosing option I am aware of is using a calcium reactor.

pH in a reef tank has two main components. Alkalinity and CO2 content of the water. If you maintain your alkalinity around 8dkh it will give you a little pH boost. Otherwise, running an airline from your skimmer to outside can help with pH if you feel it is a problem. Adding a CO2 scrubber to your skimmer air intake is another option.