My test results

[TRIX]

Today I picked up my test kit the results are

Salt SG 1.0225
Phosphate 1.5-2ppm
Calcium 340ppm
Nitrate 90ppm
Ammonia Milky separates mild blue
Low range PH 7.6
High range PH Turns clear black
KH 300ppm
GH Stopped testing at 900ppm
Nitrite 1.6ppm
Iron Free 0ppm

The tank is 1 week old with 30lbs live rock and 30lbs Aromax sand.

Please share your opinions and suggestions

[Reptoreef]

SG... ok
phos... too high
calcium... get closer to 400(alkalinity is far more important, IMO)
PH... get closer to 8.2(at below 7.8, coral skeletons are basically stripped of their calcium)
Nitrite... should be 0(what is your ammonia?)

IMO, let your tank cycle for a few weeks, then re-test and compare the results for a better clue as to what's happening.

[TRIX]

Should I be making any adjustments now or just let it cycle. Also my Ammonia test wouln't work. the drops that I put in would just turn milky and turn a very very light blue and seperate. I'm using the Hagen master test kit.

[Reptoreef]

Invest in a better kit and, yes... let it cycle and run as is for a couple-a few weeks, then re-test.

[butterfly_babe4200]

Originally Posted by Reptoreef

Invest in a better kit and, yes... let it cycle and run as is for a couple-a few weeks, then re-test.

So what is a better kit? I am looking to buy a kit that tests everything.

Your tank just needs time to do it's thing. I know it sucks but it's the waiting game.
Good luck.

[Reptoreef]

I like salifert's

[dakar]

Different test kits measure things differently. Not all kits are created equally, some measure free X in the water column others claim they can detect X in a bound form.

Here is a quick example of what I mean, this weejend I took these samples from the same area of the sump within a 5 minute period of time and 4 different NO3 test kits;

Results;
Aquarium Pharm. #1 (1 yr old) - 0ppm NO3
Aquarium Pharm. #2 (brand new) - 10ppm NO3
Sea-Chem Kit (a couple months old) - 20ppm NO3
Salifert Kit (few month old) - 40ppm NO3

So which to believe is the most accurate??? I chose the salifert kit since it had been a couple weeks since my last waterchange and it is normal for our heavily stocked tank that is fed very regularly.

The cheaper Aquar. Pharm kits are okay for cycling your tank, as ammo and nitrite tests seem to run more in line with each other, the sea-chem kits are okay, but it's my opinion the Salifert kits are the most accurate (though the more expensive).

[TRIX]

ok thanks for the info I let it cycle for a couple weeks. As for the test kit I wish I had know. Just spent $100.00 on this one. The last time I asked I didn't get any negative feedback. Oh well. I'll just use this one up and then switch I guess.

[butterfly_babe4200]

Thanks for the info.

[TRIX]

Well it's been about 2 weeks. Here are the new #'s

Temp 81f
SG 22
Phosphate 2.5
Calcium 440
Nitrate 75
Ammonia 0.1
LR PH 7.6
HR PH 8.1
KH 140
Nitrite 0.1
Iron Free 0
Iron Chelated 0