Water parameters

Marlin_theClown · Jun 15, 2015

I've done tests on my tank, and everything looks as it should, per recommended levels but I'm curious as to weather or not people have a preference on things like pH, calcium and alk levels. Any input is much appreciated.

Tahoe61 · Jun 15, 2015

I have used and read this link more times than I can count.

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

You'll get different preferences from different hobbyist based on what that hobbyist keeps coral and live stock wise.

My tank is stony corals, the values you see below is the range that I see the best growth, color and polyp extension.

Ca:450
Alk: 8-9 range
Mag: 1400-1500.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jun 16, 2015

Here's an updated version of that article:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/water-parameters.204026/

pdiehm · Jun 17, 2015

Marlin_theClown said:
I've done tests on my tank, and everything looks as it should, per recommended levels but I'm curious as to weather or not people have a preference on things like pH, calcium and alk levels. Any input is much appreciated.

I can't answer calcium as I don't have corals, thus no reason to test for it (not to mention no calcium test kit atm).

pH: 7.8-8.3 (Think 8.1-8.3 is preferred, but 7.8+ is ok)
Alk: 7-11 dKh.

Right now my tank with just snails added, as I do 25g water changes twice weekly and dose 3ml NOPOX to bring nitrates down tested...literally 5 minutes ago.

7.87 pH
9 dKh

my pH is a +/- 0.02 with the apex ph probe, but I'm seeing my pH go as high as 7.96 during mid/late afternoon when lights are most intense, to 7.86 when the lights first come on. I suspect as I start lowering the dose of NOPOX, the pH will rise over 8. But I asked the same question a couple days ago, and if you can maintain 7.8/7.9 pH with 9-11 dKh, then it's all good.