schmoore89
Community Member
I am fairly new to the hobby. I have a few questions. What should my alk and Chem be at?? I have some fish that have been doing wonderful in my tank and want to now start with some corals. Please help.
New to the hobby
- Thread starter schmoore89
- Start date
- Tagged users None
What do you mean by Chem? And alk somewhat depends on the types of corals. I've seen people keep it as high at 12 and then on vividaquariums.com they list what you should have your alk and calcium and such at for this coral and thy recommend 8.9
OP
OP
schmoore89
Community Member
Sorry didn't mean Chem. Meant Calc.
melypr1985
totally addicted
Did i hear my name? Lol. I know a little about a lot of stuff and a lot about a few things.... dosing is one i know a little about, mainly because it involves numbers and i suck with numbers! I know consistancy is key. If your corals are happiest and growing nice and have the color you like at 9dkh alk then keep it there. When it swings is when you have problems. I keep mine at 9, but i can do that with water changes only. @randyholmsfarley is the chemistry guru. Maybe he can pop buy and weigh in for you
Sorry @melypr1985, didn't mean to tag you so late at night. But thanks for dropping by!
jason2459
Not a paid scientist
- Joined
- Jul 28, 2015
- Messages
- 4,668
- Reaction score
- 3,197
Don't have to Google. They are up in the stickies
Optimal Parameters for a Coral Reef Aquarium
By Randy Holmes-Farley
https://www.reef2reef.com/index.php?posts/2011432
https://www.reef2reef.com/index.php?threads/173563/
FlyinBryan
Well-Known Member
Also make sure your salinity is around 1.025 and mag is generally above 1300. If you chase only alk & Ca without the previous 2 elevated you may precipitate out. I.e alk-calc find each other very rapidly.
Agree, the article above is good.
Also, use a good test kit. I use redsea pro for testing, like $60 on amazon for the "reef foundation" kit. It's Alk, Ca, Mag. I like you can buy refills for it as you need and don't have to get a new kit each time.
Salifert is a recommended brand as well.
I would basically avoid the API tests..
Start reading this as well:
http://pt.tapatalk.com/redirect.ph...st.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm&au_id=1800805
so once your levels are dropping and water changes can't keep up, you have already started researching supplements and have a plan in place!
Also, use a good test kit. I use redsea pro for testing, like $60 on amazon for the "reef foundation" kit. It's Alk, Ca, Mag. I like you can buy refills for it as you need and don't have to get a new kit each time.
Salifert is a recommended brand as well.
I would basically avoid the API tests..
Start reading this as well:
http://pt.tapatalk.com/redirect.ph...st.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm&au_id=1800805
so once your levels are dropping and water changes can't keep up, you have already started researching supplements and have a plan in place!
Randy Holmes-Farley
Reef Chemist
Staff member
Super Moderator
Excellence Award
Expert Contributor
Article Contributor
R2R Research
My Tank Thread
I would start your chemistry explorations by reading this article:
Optimal Parameters for a Coral Reef Aquarium: By Randy Holmes-Farley
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/o...-reef-aquarium-by-randy-holmes-farley.173563/
Edit: I see someone already posted, it. Thanks.
Randy Holmes-Farley
Reef Chemist
Staff member
Super Moderator
Excellence Award
Expert Contributor
Article Contributor
R2R Research
My Tank Thread
FWIW, here's an updated version of that article:
The Many Methods For Supplementing Calcium And Alkalinity
http://www.reefedition.com/the-many-methods-for-supplementing-calcium-and-alkalinity/
Randy Holmes-Farley
Reef Chemist
Staff member
Super Moderator
Excellence Award
Expert Contributor
Article Contributor
R2R Research
My Tank Thread
Yes, it's the first one under Calcium and Alkalinity, but it is hard to tell which are newer than others.
