[Delphinus]

DJ88 you are correct, at this point, PO4 (let's call it parameter 'X') is everywhere. Doesn't matter -- for sanity check, I still want to test for it. Because until we've confirmed something is abalanced, we're only working on educated guesses. (We can be pretty sure that something is amiss, but let's confirm that as a first step.) Dealing with a specific finding, is a different issue, and that will be ultimately up to Alan how to deal with that.

Removing an unbalanced parameter is a nightmare. I know. I have a tank with >80ppm nitrate. It's been up there for about 3, 4 months now. My "little killer SPS tank" I had 6 months ago is just that "a killer OF SPS tank." :( I'm amazed, but my carpet seems to dig it. Anyways. Once the level is up there, it doesn't go away quickly, that's for darn sure. Practical sized water changes very quickly run into a point of diminishing returns. Everytime I make a little headway it shoots right back up. I am about to throw in the towel on this tank. Luckily I have two other reefs, so it's not like I'm quitting, I'm just giving up on one tank's bad design.

If 100% water changes are called for, then this is going to be a team effort. No way can a single person perform a 90g water change by himself. What a nightmare scenario. If that's what we have to do though, that is what we will do. Let us completely exhaust all other possibilities first though.

[ 17 July 2002, 16:43: Message edited by: delphinus ]