Water Chemistry - Supplement Suggestions?

[vowelmovements]

At the 5 week mark my water chemistry on my 29g is:

0 ammonia, nitrites
nearly undetectable amount of nitrates

The last water change I did marked the start of RO/DI water from lfs and I threw in some codium to compete with the tiny bits of hair algea growing on my glass.

Don't have a phosphate kit yet but my other water specs are:

275 ppm Ca
1000 ppm magnesium
4 meq/L Alkalinity
1 meq/L Borate/Hydroxide
3 meq/L Carbonate Alkalinity

I am getting some Purple Up tommorow, any other supplement suggestions? THANKS.

[ryguy]

At this point I wouldn't supplement anything other than calcium dosing with something like Kent part A and B.

What salinity is your tank water? By the sounds of it, you are well below 35 ppt? Usually upping the salinity (slowly over several days/week) towards 35 ppt will fix most of that issue. The lower the salinity gets, the more diluted the chemistry becomes. In a new tank set up, dosing is not really needed.

IO salts I'm guessing?

Cheers
Steve

[melosu58]

Yes supplement with PWC`s

[Brenden]

I agree. No need for dosing. I am guessing coraline is the only thing you are dosing for?

[vowelmovements]

Indeed, dosing for more purple/pink coraline algea. At the moment I have a green explosion and a bit of purple spreading.

Those readings were 5 days after a 20% water change using IO.

Also, should I use the plankton supplements fs sell for filter feeders? I have a big feather duster and few tiny ones in my rock along with some ricordia I would like to keep happy.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by vowelmovements

Those readings were 5 days after a 20% water change using IO.

At what salinity though? It might be much easier to "tweek" the new SW as it's being made at a proper reef salinity (35 ppt) than messing with the main display. It would at least be safer until you get a better grasp on how the chemistry works.

Also, should I use the plankton supplements fs sell for filter feeders? I have a big feather duster and few tiny ones in my rock along with some ricordia I would like to keep happy.

The duster would definately benefit but the ricordia won't, at least not directly. Add a small amount of phyto once or twice a week.

Cheers
Steve