Test kits and frequency of tests that should be run?

[Myka]

Upon double checking...I see you are testing for "KH". What test kit are you using to test for that? I'm assuming you mean dKH, which is degrees or carbonate hardness. At 15 dKH, that is awfully high.

Seeing as your alkalinity and calcium are so high, I'm wondering why you are under the impression that they should be at that level?

[newreefer_59]

I have added live rock about a month ago and just ran these tests for the first time last week. I agree that the alkalinity and calcium are high....is there an immediate method to bring them down? I do not have a skimmer yet and have 2 small corals in there that appear fine. Hope to have a skimmer put in over the weekend. Shopping for one tonight actually.

[naesco]

Originally Posted by newreefer_59

I have added live rock about a month ago and just ran these tests for the first time last week. I agree that the alkalinity and calcium are high....is there an immediate method to bring them down? I do not have a skimmer yet and have 2 small corals in there that appear fine. Hope to have a skimmer put in over the weekend. Shopping for one tonight actually.

Hi Who sold you all that stuff? Put all the chemicals and all the test kits except for nitrite, nitrate and ammonia in the drawer. You wont be needing them for a while.

After you are sure your tank has cycled start adding mushrooms and soft coral frags and a small fish.

Several months down the line test your ca and if it is too low, add. There is nothing complex about a reef tank. The difficulty is rushing it.
Have patience and you will succeed.
Good Luck

[Myka]

Originally Posted by newreefer_59

I have added live rock about a month ago and just ran these tests for the first time last week. I agree that the alkalinity and calcium are high....is there an immediate method to bring them down? I do not have a skimmer yet and have 2 small corals in there that appear fine. Hope to have a skimmer put in over the weekend. Shopping for one tonight actually.

Have patience. You should not have corals in there yet as your cycle is not over. Please read the Guide (link in my signature) about cycling. It will give you correct steps in the cycling process, and help you decide when it's time to add a clean up crew, corals, and fish.

"Nothing good ever happens fast in a reef aquarium."

The only way to get your alkalinity and calcium down are waterchanges (assuming your salt doesn't have abnormally high levels), or time will eventually bring it down.

Originally Posted by newreefer

The additives I have been using:
Corallife Calcium
Magnesium
Marine Trace Elements
Strontium

Hold back on the additives. You're going a bit additive crazy. Many novice aquarists do that at first thinking they are doing the right thing. The right thing in the beginning is to just sit back, relax, and have patience. Personally, I wouldn't be using any of those additives at this point. Especially not the Strontium because for one you aren't testing for it, so you don't know if you're overdosing or not, and two it is likely that your salt has adequate levels, and your tank isn't using it up right now.

Once your cycle is over then you can start testing calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium. Remember to test your waterchange water (at the proper salinity) every time you buy a new bucket and make adjustments as necessary before you add the water to your tank.

I'm working on a Guide for testing and dosing right now. Keep an eye out for it, as I think you will find it informative.