Help with alk level.

[Tomchong22]

Ok so I am about 3 weeks or so into my tanks cycle. Nitrite just spiked up. My ph is high around 8.4 to8.8 but my question is y my alk level is saying it is reading 0? All my rock is man made. Took 3 months Iof soaking it In water and In vinegar till it read 8.0 for ph.. so I don't think it is the rock. My salt mix is insta ocean. And ideas?

 

[cmor1701d]

What is the SG of the tank (and how are you measuring it)?

Normally I say wait till the cycle is over before you bother testing anything other than Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate.

 

[Tomchong22]

The sg is at 1.021 a little low. I am using a hydrometer... I know I should be using a refractometer. I'm planing on waiting till the cycle is over to do a large water change with a refractometer.

 

[Tomchong22]

Should I do a water change and see if that brings the alk up?

 

[carey]

I would wait for your cycle finishes to do anything really. Theres no live stock in tank correct?

I dont see how the alk will impact your cycling. After your cycle I would investigate stabilizing your tank.

 

[Tomchong22]

No not currently. I'm just really puzzled y the alk is so low. It won't even pick up when I test for it. I was thinking on adding a buffer after the cycle is finished. I would just really like to get off on a good start with a nice stable tank.

 

[carey]

No not currently. I'm just really puzzled y the alk is so low. It won't even pick up when I test for it. I was thinking on adding a buffer after the cycle is finished. I would just really like to get off on a good start with a nice stable tank.

What test kit are u using? Maybe its a bad kit. I've had that before

 

[Tomchong22]

I have tested it with strips(2 dif ones) and an API test kit.

 

[carey]

I've never seen strips for alk. I personally use a salifert. I also have never seen an api drop test either. wow I must be missing alot of stuff lol

 

[Tomchong22]

Lol yeah the test strips are jungle something I can't remember. It test for ph, alk, nitrate and nitrite.

 

[carey]

wait a sec, I have those...they are really really bad. I have no alk in my tanks either according to those strips. It just stays white on the pad

 

[Tomchong22]

Haha yeah I was beginning to wonder because on my tank they stay at zero and on my gf tank they say 300+

 

[carey]

I definitely wouldnt dose your tank based on those test kits. i hate to say it but for things like alk, magnesium calcium I only trust salifert or elos. They are very very sensitive tests. I believe they are under $30 online. I just finished up collecting my test kits yesterday I know it can be expensive. But so can dosing and screwing it up.
Just my opinion.

 

[Tomchong22]

I totally agree. I do plan on getting a better test kit but I just don't have the cash at the moment. Setting up a 60gal tank takes slot of cash lol

 

[carey]

You dont have to tel me that! I just setup a 125g and 55g. And i still have 4 other tanks lol. I am so broke its no joke. Why it took me so long to get all the test kits. Been collecting them for months

 

[Tomchong22]

Haha yeah I am only hoping to stick with the 60gal and maybe a 10gal planted tank later on. The thing about my 60is it is really long and tall allowing me to have a good variety of things. Do u think a tang would be ok I'n such a tank? It is 48in long 1 ft deep and 2 feet tall. Here is an old pic of it b4 it had water. Now there is slot more rock.

 

[carey]

I'm only contemplating putting a tang in my 55g now because i will be going to a 125g later this year. They really do need the swim room. But I'm the last person to judge. lol

 

[Tomchong22]

I agree. The reason I think putting a tang I'n my tank is because it is the same length and height as a 120 allowing for lots of room to swim But not as deep. if it was 2 feet deep I would have a 120.

 

[cmor1701d]

IMO Tangshan require a 125 as a minimum. The 125 is 6' long. My tangs can swim that in the blink of an eye. Next tank will be 96" or longer <g>

Don't bother testing anything but the 3 till the cycle is over. At that point use a calibrated refractometer to do a 30%. - 50% pwc. Test your change water chemistry for Alk after verifying SG to be sure.

DO NOT use test strips for anything outside of a swimming pool. Get some quality kits like the Salifert, LaMotte, Elos, Hach, etc.