tegee
06/15/2008, 03:29 PM
Hello:
In an effort to go to a more predominate SPS reef tank I have been tracking very closely my Alk, Calcium and Mag readings over the past 2+ months. I have a 180-gallon tank and been reefing for about 6 years now; most LPS corals. I really want to get to the next level with SPS corals and find them fascinating.
My Alk has been maintained between 7-9 steadily and my Mag has been between 1225-1350 during this time as well. During this time my Calcium levels have steadily been on the raise and currently it is at 550 ppm. My pH has been a tad on the low side during this time from a low of 7.9 to a high at 8.5 (I have tracked them day and nighttime readings). Temperature of tank is maintained at 78 degrees with JBJ chiller. Phosphates and Nitrates are 0 or close to zero.
Is 550 ppm too high for Calcium readings? If my pH too low and if so how can I raise it? I have a dosing pump and dose Calcium and Alk (two part - Little Fishes and now Randy's two-part receipt).
I am REALLY trying hard to get all my reading as perfect as possible, but the pH and Calcium have been a little out of the parameters.
In closing, I have been reading posts on Reef Central the past year or so and everyone's help and continued use on this forum has been tremendous. I participate in a similar forum for work related activities and know how important it is to have a type of forum like this to refer to. I have literally learned almost everything I currently know by reading and posting here. I typically read the Chemistry forum the most and find Randy's articles and help on this forum invaluable.
BTW: I have use (3) separate test kit brands: API, Salifert and Elos and must say all three have had exact readings. So IMHO sometimes less is more when spending monies on test kits (spent $26.00 on API's Reef Kit with Nitrate, Phosphate, Cal and Mag all in one kit). To that end, I will still continue to use multiple brands just in case to eliminate any inaccuracies. A little off topic, but have read many posts on test kits and do not see a need to go crazy spending big $$$ on kits.
Anyhow, thanks in advance for your help and I look forward to trying to solve my issue(s).
Thank you!
In an effort to go to a more predominate SPS reef tank I have been tracking very closely my Alk, Calcium and Mag readings over the past 2+ months. I have a 180-gallon tank and been reefing for about 6 years now; most LPS corals. I really want to get to the next level with SPS corals and find them fascinating.
My Alk has been maintained between 7-9 steadily and my Mag has been between 1225-1350 during this time as well. During this time my Calcium levels have steadily been on the raise and currently it is at 550 ppm. My pH has been a tad on the low side during this time from a low of 7.9 to a high at 8.5 (I have tracked them day and nighttime readings). Temperature of tank is maintained at 78 degrees with JBJ chiller. Phosphates and Nitrates are 0 or close to zero.
Is 550 ppm too high for Calcium readings? If my pH too low and if so how can I raise it? I have a dosing pump and dose Calcium and Alk (two part - Little Fishes and now Randy's two-part receipt).
I am REALLY trying hard to get all my reading as perfect as possible, but the pH and Calcium have been a little out of the parameters.
In closing, I have been reading posts on Reef Central the past year or so and everyone's help and continued use on this forum has been tremendous. I participate in a similar forum for work related activities and know how important it is to have a type of forum like this to refer to. I have literally learned almost everything I currently know by reading and posting here. I typically read the Chemistry forum the most and find Randy's articles and help on this forum invaluable.
BTW: I have use (3) separate test kit brands: API, Salifert and Elos and must say all three have had exact readings. So IMHO sometimes less is more when spending monies on test kits (spent $26.00 on API's Reef Kit with Nitrate, Phosphate, Cal and Mag all in one kit). To that end, I will still continue to use multiple brands just in case to eliminate any inaccuracies. A little off topic, but have read many posts on test kits and do not see a need to go crazy spending big $$$ on kits.
Anyhow, thanks in advance for your help and I look forward to trying to solve my issue(s).
Thank you!