scubagrl Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 I am on day 3 of starting a 24g nanocube. The LR was pulled from a mature (1 1/2 yo) tank that has had no issues. My substrate is tahitian moon sand. All other parameters measure well for a "new" tank- temp 79.6 Sg 1.024 ammonia .25 nitrites 0 nitrates 10 calcium 400 The phosphates are 2 and the calcium hardness is literally off of the charts! (17dkh). I tested the water that was used to mix the saltwater and the phosphates were about .5 and the dkh was 6. I used instant ocean salt which has never given me any trouble. My filtration is LR rubble in the 1st back chamber and cheato in the center. Does anyone have any ideas?? Thanks! Link to comment
Weetabix7 Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 Are you using tapwater to mix your water with? Link to comment
scubagrl Posted February 17, 2009 Author Share Posted February 17, 2009 Are you using tapwater to mix your water with? No- I used what was advertised at the grocery as RO water- but seems to have too much junk in it to be RO. Do you think the water could cause that? Should I do a big water change? Link to comment
Weetabix7 Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 Yes and Yes. Grocery stores are known to be bad about not changing their filters often enough in their RO machines. Try using distilled instead until you are able to get an RO/DI unit of your own. Before I was able to get my own RO/DI, I used Wal-Mart Distilled water. Link to comment
scubagrl Posted February 17, 2009 Author Share Posted February 17, 2009 Yes and Yes. Grocery stores are known to be bad about not changing their filters often enough in their RO machines. Try using distilled instead until you are able to get an RO/DI unit of your own. Before I was able to get my own RO/DI, I used Wal-Mart Distilled water. Thank you for the info- I was just stuck as to what could be causing this! Link to comment
Weetabix7 Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 No prob. Odds are really good that your source water is causing this. Make sure you don't have an out of date test kit as well. Look at it this way, at least you caught it early before you started putting livestock in there! Link to comment
psykobowler Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 I bought grocery water for 2 months before I got my ro/di unit. I should have started sooner. If you plan to do this hobby for the long term you should get one. The grocery water money adds up quick. Link to comment
scubagrl Posted February 17, 2009 Author Share Posted February 17, 2009 Thanks for all of the replies! How large of a water change? 50%? I will have to look for a RO/DI unit. Until then I guess I am off to Walmart for distilled! Link to comment
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