Testing Question?

[willy0508]

So I've had my tank up about 4 months, cycled and two happy clowns (in for about 1 month).
I just bought an API reef master test kit to go along with the Red Sea I got to start the tank.

Couple things, Is KH the same as Alkalinity I'm a little confused reading about each in different threads?

My tests read:
PH - 8.4
Ammonia - 0
Nitirtes - 0
Nitrates - 5
Spec grav - 1.025
Phosphates - 0
Calcium - 420
KH - dKH=11/ppm=196 (from the chart)
Temp 78.7

Does everything look good? I thought maybe PH and KH might be high but I'm new to the KH test.
(Want to practice before getting any corals, just softies to start)

Second, I wanted to move my rock around a bit as I'd like to make more room in the front
bottom and maybe make better placement for some coral in the future.
Can I move it carefully not stirring the sand and not hurt the fish if it gets a little cloudy or scare them too much?
Or should I move them to the QT until the move and any cloudiness goes away?
Scheduled H2O change this Friday, should I rearrange before the change?

Thanks in advance,
willy0508

 

[Henry405]

If you're careful and slow, it should be ok. QT is better, but they can manage. I would do the rearranging before PWC. After you move rocks, bad stuff will release into the water and the PWC will help

 

[Kurt_Nelson]

Water parameters look great! And yes... KH and alkalinity are the same thing.

Just move the rocks around, the fish won't mind the sandstorm. They'll probably get a little spooked, but they'll get over it. I wouldn't mess with the QT, but do agree that you should do it before the water change.

I just added a bunch of new sand to my tank a few weekends ago and made a major sandstorm for several hours. Fishies didn't seem overly concerned.

 

[cmor1701d]

Your tank is too new for bad things to be in the sand bed. Just rearrange as you see fit. My DSB in my tank has been there for 7 years. I recently had a PH point down at the sand and cause a major sand storm. It cleared in a matter of hours and no harm in the tank. I did have to use a turkey baster to blow sand off the rocks.

 

[willy0508]

thanks all. I'm going to do it later tonight and then do the change.

 

[willy0508]

So thanks to everyone I change the rock around and didn't even make a big sand storm. My clowns are fine and even though this is my first tank I kie the rock better now. Here's a couple pics:



One of the clowns not being camera shy.


Can't wait for the new skimmer, old one broke. And then it's New lights!