Water testing

[Hetts]

I’m testing my water for my corals I added a few weeks ago, see below and let me know what needs changed and to where. I also bought the ABC foundation supplement kit to get my numbers correct


Calcium 390

Phosphate 0

Magnesium 1290

Alk 8

 

[blaxsun]

More of everything (and test for nitrates), except for alkalinity.

 

[Hetts]

More of everything (and test for nitrates), except for alkalinity.

How much more

 

[blaxsun]

How much more

These are just my parameters (YMMV):

Alkalinity: 8.0-8.25dKH
Calcium: 450-500ppm
Magnesium: 1350-1450ppm
Phosphates: 0.10-0.15ppm
Nitrates: 25-35ppm (aim for 10-15ppm)

 

[gbroadbridge]

I’m testing my water for my corals I added a few weeks ago, see below and let me know what needs changed and to where. I also bought the ABC foundation supplement kit to get my numbers correct


Calcium 390

Phosphate 0

Magnesium 1290

Alk 8

Which test kits are you using - some are better than others.

Your Ca and Mg are a little low, probably take Ca up to around 430 and Mg to around 1300.
Phosphate should not be zero, it should be 0.5-0.1, but that could be a bad test reading.
Nitrate should be 5-10ppm
Alk is good where it is.

 

[Hetts]

Which test kits are you using - some are better than others.

Your Ca and Mg are a little low, probably take Ca up to around 430 and Mg to around 1300.
Phosphate should not be zero, it should be 0.5-0.1, but that could be a bad test reading.
Nitrate should be 5-10ppm
Alk is good where it is.

I’m using salifert test kits. I’ll raise the calcium and magnesium up some. And recheck phosphate again. Thanks!

 

[gbroadbridge]

I’m using salifert test kits. I’ll raise the calcium and magnesium up some. And recheck phosphate again. Thanks!

The salifert tests are very good, but the phosphate test is very tricky to read. You just need the slightest tinge of Blue, but that is difficult for normal eyes to see.

It's the only Salifert test I'd strongly suggest replacing with an alternative - the Hanna ULR phosphate checker.