What parameters do you keep your reef at?

[dragonfisher33]

As i'm getting ready to start on dosing my tank, i just want to know at what parameters you reefers out there keep your tank at?

Tuesday right after my water change, my Ca reading (through Hanna checker) was 430PPM. Wednesday night the reading was 410PPM. there's been some controversy over the accuracy of the Hanna Ca checker so i double checked the reading with my Red Sea Ca test kit, which is between 420-430PPM for Tuesday and 400PPM for Wednesday.

I have yet to test my Alk and mag readings due to my busy work schedule

So, what do you keep your Ca, Alk, and Mg at?

Also, is it normal for my Ca level to dip 20PPM between Tuesday and Wednesday? I have a slightly SPS dominant mix reef, although the SPS's are mostly frags at this moment. in total, i probably have over 40 different corals in my 40B

 

[joekool]

Ca readings seem to be close enough.

There is nothing wrong with a 20ppm drop daily. Stability is key so you aren't. Going to want big swings.

Ca and alk change daily depending on consumption but Mg doesn't fluctuate to much day to day.

Most people running reefs with some SPS or mixed reefs shoot for ranges. Ca 425 to 450 alk 8 to 10 dKH and 1350Mg

I run my tank along those lines myself. My choice for test kits are salifert. Seem to be accurate for me.

I would test three days and track your consumption then say if your are using 20ppm of Ca a day you will want to dose using a ratio of exact water you filled your tank with not tank size and concentration of ppm of Ca solution you are dosing. This is the same for all additives like alk and Mg. after three days of dosing test and see if you holding your desired levels. If not make adjustments above or below the daily amount dosed.

I recommend that you dose Ca during day and alk at night. I also recommend that your spread these doses out over they day and not all at once.

These are only my opinions and in no way am I telling you how to run your tank. Everyone's tank requires different demands and something that works for someone else might not work for you. I do feel that I gave good advice though.