WATER PARAMETER QUESTIONS HELP!

[bigfoot]

hi everybody!
well here we go calcium-400 ppm ph 8.3 nitrate 0ppm nitrites 0ppm ammonia 0ppm alkalinity 350-400 ppm higher then test strips and general hardness 300 ppm=very hard where should these be? how do i get them there?

[mojoreef]

Hmmm I think you must be getting a bad reading Bigfoot. 350 to 400 ppm of alk is lethal. That would translate to like 22 dkh which would not allow any calcium in your tank.
See if you can get another test going, or maybe buy a salifert alk test kit, it just cant be right. ALso make sure to list you salinity, it makes a big difference.


Mike

[bigfoot]

i used the jungle quick dip strips as we just got pounded by a bad snow and lfs was out and its all petsmart had

[FishinInTheDark]

The dip strips are notoriously bad. Throw them away! I like Salifert tests too.

[Sugar Magnolia]

Once you get out from under the snow, find somwehere that carries reliable test kits, or order some online. I like the Salifert as well. Easy to use and very reliable results.

[FishinInTheDark]

I was in a hurry, and should have elaborated a little. . .

When I first started freshwater, I could not figure out why I had a constant ammonia reading. Week after week. Always ammonia. Once I tried a different test, I realized that I didn't have any, and my perameters were pretty good.

The dip sticks are vague, at best. They are cheap and widely distributed. As they age, or are subjected to temp/humidity swings, they get less accurate. They are just not worth the money.

[bigfoot]

yea in gonna take some water to my lfs hes a newer store but he knows whats up he took me to his house holy craaap! he has 100+ tanks for 20- 225 gallons about 40 are salt hes gonna selling them off soon hes gonna sell me a 220 for .75$ a gallon:) thats abot 160 bucks cant beat it with a stick!