Ideal water parameters for optimum growth out of SPS corals...

[reefman13]

Would any of you be able to tell me what you guys think is the best all around water parameters for the optimum growth of SPS corals?

What test kits would you guys recomend? I have API and I really don't feel like I am getting fully reliable test results....

[reefman13]

My thoughts were something like this:
SG: 1.024-1.026 Close to NSW levels.
Temp: 78-82
Ammonia: 0
Nitrate: 0
Nitrite: 0
Phosphates: I really wouldn't know because I don't test for it, but...0?
Ca: 420?
Alk: ?
Mg: ?
pH: 8.1-8.3 (keep mine on average at 8.2)


As of now, this is all I test:
SG: 1.025 (about 35ppt)
Temp: 79
Ammonia: 0
Nitrate: 5
Nitrite: 0
pH: 8.2

Honestly, that's all that came in the basic starter set when I got my first 50 gallon, and all my SPS seemed pretty happy.....But now that I have upgraded to a 90g, I am looking for information to get a little more advanced in keeping my water parameters in check. So I would like some input on what people would recomend for test kits and supplements....

Right now I am dosing Tropic Marin coral supplement and invert supplement. Are there any others out there that are much better than that?

[dadonoflaw]

you want to know calcium alk and magnesium. calcium should be about 400-440ppm. alk should be between 8-12dkh. i keep mine at 170ppm caco3 or 9.5 dkh. magnesium should be 3 times your calcium level. i keep mine at about 1500ppm but 1300 is the minimum. other than that the params listed above are a good guide

[reefman13]

What would you recomend for test kits? What supplements would you recomend to keep those levels up (o down; what ever the case may be)?

[sailfish2]

Try a search in the chem. section different brands for different tests.
imho different brands are better for different ones.


As for whats ideal depends who you ask. Some people run high 10dkh or higher others don't and swear by it. Same with calcium
etc...

I run mine at 10dkh by the way.

Very broad question what to use to keep it up. Basically three main choice with lost of vartions Two Part solution for alk and cal,
Calcium reactor, Kalc.

Here is a link http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=102605

Joe

[reefman13]

Thanks.

I have thought about getting these:
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idProduct~LM1111.html
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idProduct~LM1113.html
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idProduct~LM1117.html

[Bri Guy]

heres a good artical on what to keep where...

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.htm