Please check my param's, i will be adding SPS soon

[NickC5FE]

Hi all, i just did a run thru of all my param's today and this is what i have:

Temp: 78.5
P.H: 8.2
Calcium: 400 ppm
KH: 125.3 ppm/KH
Phoshate: 0 ppm
Nitrate: 0

I am using API kits on my 7 month old 90 gallon tank. I have recently been bitten by the urge to try SPS, so i want to ensure my water is good. ALSO, i was going to start dosing with Seachem Reef builder and Advantage Calcium powders (if i need to).

I have a question regarding the KH. I was told that this is a way of checking alkalinity basically, and was told the Reef Builder would help with swings- is this true? I am wondering if i need to supplement this by using the Reef Builder.....As far as calcium goes, it is always usually around 400. I am not able to do weekly water changes (usually do them once every 3-4 weeks), so these supplements seem right for me (according to my LFS).

I have never supplemented anything before, and my tank/inhabitants have all done well but corraline is somewhat slow to grow.

Anyways, thanks for the help in advance.

[HighlandReefer]

What's your salinity & magnesium at?

[NickC5FE]

Mag i dont know, salinity is at 1.025 stable. Is there a cheap, yet accurate mag test?

[HighlandReefer]

Personally, I use Salifert and it works for me. ;)

Your mag may be ok for a while, depending on what salt mix you use. Some are quite high in mag. Which salt mix do you use?

The rest of your parameters are ok. :)

You will need good lighting for SPS coral.

Randy provides more details on Reef tank parameters in this article:

Reef Aquarium Water Parameters
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.htm

These article may be helpful since you are getting ready to start an sps tank:

The “How To” Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners, Part 1: The Salt Water Itself
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-03/rhf/index.php

The “How To” Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners, Part 2: What Chemicals Must be Supplemented
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-04/rhf/index.php

The "How To" Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners, Part 3: pH
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-05/rhf/index.php

The “How To” Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners,
Part 4: What Chemicals May Detrimentally Accumulate
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-09/rhf/index.php

[NickC5FE]

Hi Cliff! My lighting is LED and PAR is great all the way down to the sand. My salt i use is reef crystals. Thanks for the info!

[HighlandReefer]

Your welcome. ;)

When Billy tested Reef Crystals at a salinity of 1.0264 this was his results:

Reef Crystals

Calcium: 490
Alk: 13 dKH
Mag: 1440

The ocean averages around 1300 ppm mag. Mag is used very slowly.

It would seem with a mag level this high, you should be good for some time to come. ;)

[NickC5FE]

Question about alkalinity......does checking carbonate hardness (KH) check alkalinity and if so- how does my number of 125.3 corrolate to alkalinity? It took 7 drops of the solution to change the color of the water. Does this mean alkalinity is 7?? Sorry, but i am a new-B when it comes to this!! Thanks

[Sport507]

Yes, that means a Dkh of 7. Peronally I would rasie it to about 9. You are going to need to keep track of your Mag. and as Cliff said Salifert makes a good test kit. Mag. should be in the 1320-1350 range IMO.

[NickC5FE]

Thanks Sport! So, last question- If the Reef Builder says that "each 3g/40 gallons will raise alkalinity by .25 meg/L......how does that work in to my 7 Dkh? Is there a conversion? Sorry if i am asking a lot, but i want to make sure i get it right! THANKS!

[HighlandReefer]

You can use the Reef Chemistry Calculator to tell you how much alk supplement you need to use to raise your alk level up. Just plug in your actual total water volume (minus sand, rock and equipment). Enter your current alk level (7 dKH) and then enter your desired alk level. Select your supplement which is listed. That's all there is to it. ;)

If problems let us know for help. :)


Reef chemicals calculator
http://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chemcalc.html

[NickC5FE]

WOW! Thanks so much! Will let you guys know how it works out!

[Sport507]

Thanks Sport! So, last question- If the Reef Builder says that "each 3g/40 gallons will raise alkalinity by .25 meg/L......how does that work in to my 7 Dkh? Is there a conversion? Sorry if i am asking a lot, but i want to make sure i get it right! THANKS!


You can use that just fine but do the math. I too have a 90gal. reef mixed tank and 2 tablespoons of baking soda (not powder) from your kitchen if you have it will raise it 1 Dkh. Just don't raise it more than 1.5 Dkh in 1 day.

[Bnortz]

Salifert are great test kits:bounce1:

[NickC5FE]

Wow! The knowledge on this forum is amazing! I will go ahead with the responses and post progress shots. So far I have two acro's and they seem to be very happy-can only get better!!

[Sport507]

Thanks Sport! So, last question- If the Reef Builder says that "each 3g/40 gallons will raise alkalinity by .25 meg/L......how does that work in to my 7 Dkh? Is there a conversion? Sorry if i am asking a lot, but i want to make sure i get it right! THANKS!

I'm sorry I didn't really answer your question. 2.5 meg/L = 7 Dkh or 125ppm so to get to 9 Dkh you will need to be at 3.2 meg/L or 160ppm.

You can use what ever scale you like but most of us use the Dkh scale.

So .25 meg/L= 12.5ppm or .7 Dkh