[Pomme]

Test results, are these okay?

i have a reef tank with a few soft corals, acros, clam, and other hard corals.

temp- 26
salinity - 1.022 but slowly taking it up to 1.025
ph - 7.9. low and would like it higher but difference between hagen and salifert.
ammonia - 0
nitrite - 0.025
nirtate - 2.5 high, but done a small water change to bring it down and will do another tomorrow.
kh - 7, again difference between hagen and salifert as hagen was 9. but will slowly increase to 12.
calcium - 450 salifert, and more hagen, 540!
magnesium - 1350.
phospate - 0
iron - 0

how does this all sound?
andrew

[Ninong]

I would suggest a temperature range of 26-28 degrees and specific gravity of 1.025; pH should be kept above 8.0 (8.1-8.4 would be great).

A true nitrite reading of 0.025 ppm is great and 2.5 ppm nitrate is NOT high at all. A nitrate reading of 5 ppm might be considered moderate for SPS corals and a reading of 10 ppm would be considered high. I am presently running 0.025 ppm nitrite and 1 ppm nitrate and I would not want to see my nitrate reading much lower than that. For a tank that includes Tridacna clams, I think a nitrate range of 1-2 ppm is ideal.

Alkalinity at 7 dKH is not a problem but anything less than that would be undesirable. It would be better to maintain it a little higher, say 8-10 dKH if possible. My preference is for 10-12 dKH but that's a tad on the high side. Anything above 14 dKH could start to present problems with maintaining proper calcium levels. Calcium of 450 ppm is ideal. I shoot for 425-450 ppm. Actually 425-475 ppm calcium would be great, too, but I wouldn't want to see calcium go much above 475 ppm. It's all a matter of balance and if you let one get out of line it will impact the other.

Magnesium of 1350 ppm is fine -- no problems there.

[Pomme]

cool so its all in track, do you reckon i should add kalk to the tank as well as the occassional calcium additive!

[Ninong]

Originally Posted by Pomme

cool so its all in track, do you reckon i should add kalk to the tank as well as the occassional calcium additive!

I add Kalkwasser on a regular basis and I would only consider "the occasional calcium additive" (calcium chloride) if my calcium readings started to slip and the Kalkwasser was unable to keep up. So far I have only had to use calcium chloride for the first three weeks or so after starting my tank to get the calcium readings up above 400. If my calcium readings start to drop and I am already using Kalkwasser for all evaporation replacement, then I would increase the amount of calcium hydroxide that goes into solution by adding vinegar to the freshwater first before adding the Kalkwasser powder (calcium hydroxide) and then increasing the amount of calcium hydroxide powder. Right now I'm using two teaspoons per U.S. gallon without vinegar. I would probably go to one tablespoon per U.S. gallon along with two tablespoons of vinegar per U.S. gallon (max. of 3 Tbsp). According to Dr. Craig Bingman, adding 12.2 ml/L (3 Tbsp/U.S. gallon) vinegar increases the amount of calcium hydroxide that will go into solution, thus increasing the efficiency of your Kalkwasser.

[Pomme]

does the vinegar have any effect on the fish or does it only effect the kalk?

[Ninong]

Originally Posted by Pomme

does the vinegar have any effect on the fish or does it only effect the kalk?

Vinegar is dilute acetic acid. ALL of it goes into chemical reactions with the calcium hydroxide in the mixing bucket provided you do not use too much. Dr. Bingman recommends using 12.2 ml/L (45 ml/U.S. gallon -- that's 3 Tbsp). I think I will probably stop at 2 Tbsp per U.S. gallon myself just to be sure that I'm not overdoing it.

Again, there is no need to use vinegar unless regular strength limewater is not getting the job done. I do NOT use vinegar at this time but I will consider it in the future.

[Pomme]

yeah coll i think iw ll get a some kalk and start adding some in the evenings.