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#1
01-17-2009, 04:52 PM
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Salifert: Both tests came out at 7.8dKH. This an interpolated value. My check solution tests at 8.4dKH, not 7.4 as it is supposed to. The aquarium water prior to interpolating came out at 8.8dKH. Elos: Both tests came out at 9.0dKH pH at the time was 8.24 (Pinpoint). Hmmmm, I don't know what to believe now. I like the Salifert reading better  .One other thing to note about the Elos kit....some of their KH kits currently "out there" have an incorrect 5ml line on the vial. It is lower than it should be. So, when measuring the water amount measure to the syringe 5ml line, not the vial line. I have one of the screwed up vials. Cheers,
__________________
Mark. 
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#2
01-17-2009, 05:26 PM
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 With mine though I find it hard to believe the salifert test because for one it was inconsistent but also after many days without kalk and very little alk dosing, the alk had to of dropped. If I go with the Elos, it has dropped to 7. Which is perfect  But I don't want to only go by the Elos kit just because its giving me the number I like. Running ZEO with a high alk (over 10) could kill my tank! On another note, I found the K+ test from Korallen Zucht to be very easy to use and seems like a very well put together kit. Although I have nothing to compare it to since I have never tested potassium before now.
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#4
01-17-2009, 07:12 PM
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 This is what most of the people I asked on ZEOvit.com are doing. They use both Salifert and Elos and either use the average or just make sure both are within range. Many of them said they find Salifert a bit high and Elos a bit low. Actually using both could be the best way to go IMO. I think my Salifert ALK kit was one of the ones from that bad batch not too long ago So going by my experiences with the Salifert ALK kit is not a good idea and I should probably try another one. I just hate to think about how much I have spent on test kits now! Well over $300 last year Just the Elos Mg, Calcium and Phosphate alone were like around $120 plus taxes or something. Then the K+ kit was $50 with taxes, ect. ect.
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#5
01-17-2009, 11:59 PM
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So tested again...
Ca 420 Alk 7 Mg 1300 K+ 320 ish (low but I am dosing potassium) So safe to start ZEO! But I haven't...I am still so worried to start! Seems like everyday the past few weeks, the tank has been looking better and better. Coloration is great, growth is great. I am so scared to ruin things. The reason I still want to do it though is that nitrates have now crept up to about 15-20! Jeez. Funny thing is though, the corals are responding so well to the increased nitrates. Guess I will start tomorrow anyways...I don't want to see where this tank is going if I continue to let the nitrates rise.
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#6
01-19-2009, 06:23 AM
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Jeez...still no luck. As of tonight...
PH 8.59 Ca 450 No3 10 Alk 8.5 Mg 900 (Dropped quite a bit...not sure how since yesterday )K+ 300 (Dosing potassium but not doing much yet) Got the reactor in my sump (without the rocks), so just need these darn levels to get right! Removed my refugium though the other day so I am getting a little nervous about nitrates rising. I had expected to be able to start ZEO this weekend but no luck yet. Last edited by GreenSpottedPuffer; 01-19-2009 at 06:32 AM.
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#7
01-19-2009, 04:32 PM
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I think the Mg test I did must have been wrong. There is no way that could drop like that overnight basically. I did some reading on Mg and it is used up relatively slow. Even just based on the salt I use, it shouldn't be that low. Plus I am dosing Kent Mg.
So I am going to test again today. Actually maybe get a LFS to test for me too so I can compare How many of you running ZEOvit are watching the K+ real close? I know its very important with ZEO and I do trust all the experts at ZEOvit.com but do I really have to wait for it to get to 350-380 to start ZEO? Its at about 300-320 now. I have been told its not a good idea to start until everything is stable at natural sea levels. Otherwise its quite risky. I have a feeling ZEO means a LOT more testing in the future. There seems to be a big difference in the tanks I am seeing on the ZEO forum that are really keeping on top of things and the ones that are running ZEO but not really caring all that much about keeping levels perfect...the ones taking that extra time are getting INCREDIBLE results. I guess if I am going to do it, may as well commit and keep on top of testing 
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#8
01-22-2009, 07:31 PM
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Nice tank by the way.
__________________
Calvin --- Planning a 29 gallon mixed reef...
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#9
01-22-2009, 08:07 PM
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I have another big fish coming in the next day or two and thats really going to put this tank over the top for bioload. I do have a bigger tank to upgrade to as soon as the time comes but I want to hold off on that until I move in a year or so...my place is just too small. For now the fish seem to be happy and have enough room. If that changes anytime soon though, I will either have the custom tank I want made or set up my 240. If we decide to stay in this condo longer than expected (and might because if we sell now, we loose big time with the market down...we bought high  ) then I am going to have a custom tank build around 7'x30"wide and 16" tall. So gives the fish lots of room but isn't massive like my 240. I had the 240 in my place when I bought it and it was ridiculous. If I were a bachelor, the thing would already be set up but if I set it up in our small condo, I may end up a bachelor Its 8'x2'x2' New fish BTW is an Aussie Harlequin Tusk. I have been waiting for a nice looking one for a while now and J&L had two gorgeous ones come in yesterday. I would have taken one right there on the spot but they were not even acclimated fully yet. Although thinking of it now, maybe it would have been less stress to just acclimate it straight to my tank instead of going to two new tanks in a matter of days...oh well, they are tough fish, I am sure he will be fine. Probably not the best time to be adding fish as I am just starting ZEO but we'll see. I should get some before pics of my corals today so we can see what ZEO does for my tank. Problem right now is that there is still quite the sand storm from the new wavebox I have had to clean the wavebox out twice a day to make sure sand does not get stuck in the pump and cause the controller to shut it down and sound the VERY annoying alarm. Maybe I should add a layer of a coarser sand? Any suggestions? Or just let it be and eventually the sand will settle... Last edited by GreenSpottedPuffer; 01-22-2009 at 08:10 PM.
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