help with test results

[grimsbylad_85]

just done first test on my nano

ph 7.7
salt 0.20
cal 350
mag 1110
dkh 14.4 /514
no3 20
no2 0

what best thing to start changing first can any one give me a simple ex about mag/cal/dkh
thank you

[treeboa]

how longs it been cycling ??

[cl0wn]

simple article explaining the balance:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-06/rhf/index.php

a little more advanced....
dkh / calcium explained:

http://web.archive.org/web/20021127...ov2002/chem.htm (http://web.archive.org/web/20021127040526/http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm)

selecting a supplimentation scheme:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm (http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm)

[eskimoigloo]

get your salinity up to at least 1.023 and the other levels will increase as well (naturally in your salt). So do this and then re-test.

Chris

[treeboa]

i would argue with that point chris, not all salts are the same, it also depends if the buffers have settled out in the container as well, a lot if not all salts are low on mag i have noticed and need adjusting, bring the mag up and you find calc and alk come up with it, low mag and you find calcium precipitates from the water

[eskimoigloo]

The easiest thing to do is get the salinity up and then see if the other things are required, as the salinity is a bit low anyway.

[treeboa]

depends on how low, and what size tank really, on a big tank 3lts of evaporation is nothing, on a nano the same amount will drive salinity up very high, at least when low, you have that backstop against it, i know many reefkeepers that keep theirs at 021 and 022, mine personally is at 026, but with 150 gallons plus sump i dont have to worry about the odd half gallon evap swinging salinity that much