Saltwater ph and salinity

[Silvermist67]

So im confused about how to tell the ph and salinity idk if they are the same or not and i am not sure whats the recommended level for my tank it has one clown,3bumble snails,5 cecil snails and 3 emerald crabs and 4 corals

 

[Jekyl]

Salinity you will need to buy a refractometer. Make sure it comes with calibration liquid and calibrate it before every use. Salinity should be 35ppt or 1.026
For other tests including PH I recommend getting salifert tests. Ph, nitrate, magnesium, calcium and phosphate if you plan on having coral

 

[Silvermist67]

So there different salinity and ph?

 

[mdb_talon]

Agree with jekyl. However would say if you on a budget and cant get all those right now you must get a refractometer or hydrometer(either check salinity i would choose refractometer).

The test i would get in order or priority.
Nitrate
Phosphate
Alkalinity
Calcium
PH
Magnesium


With just a few corals and even the occassional water change i would not worry about anything but the top 2 for awhile still. Get feet wet before spending $200 on tests.

 

[Familyman2010]

So there different salinity and ph?

Yes salinity is concentration of salt in water

 

[mdb_talon]

So there different salinity and ph?

Yes completely different. Here is an old but valid good article from Randy that worth reading.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/

 

[Silvermist67]

Agree with jekyl. However would say if you on a budget and cant get all those right now you must get a refractometer or hydrometer(either check salinity i would choose refractometer).

The test i would get in order or priority.
Nitrate
Phosphate
Alkalinity
Calcium
PH
Magnesium


With just a few corals and even the occassional water change i would not worry about anything but the top 2 for awhile still. Get feet wet before spending $200 on tests.

Okay im jus trying to keep
Up with it this is my first time and the guys at the shop jus handed me some stuff and told me i will be fine

 

[Jekyl]

Unless you grow a personal relationship with the people at your LFS never believe anything they say. It's their job to sell you things and some of them just don't care

 

[mdb_talon]

Okay im jus trying to keep
Up with it this is my first time and the guys at the shop jus handed me some stuff and told me i will be fine

Sadly many lfs are like that. Use these message boards. Generally people very helpful and responsive. If you dont get replies for a day it may have got lost just reply to your original message to get it back up top.

 

[Jekyl]

I recently had to stop a couple with a freshly cycled 55 gallon from buying 8 fish and introducing them all

 

[Silvermist67]

Unless you grow a personal relationship with the people at your LFS never believe anything they say. It's their job to sell you things and some of them just don't care

One more thing if you dont mind if i change out the water do i leave the corals or take em out?

 

[mdb_talon]

Leave them in. Make sure when you do water change that you get it right near the same temperature and at the same salinity. Changing anywhere from 10 to 30% at once is normal.

 

[Jekyl]

I would recommend watch the BRS series on YouTube during free time. Lots of good info on there for getting started.