Water Quality Parameters

[cantare00]

Being new to saltwater, I've come to realize that there are a lot more things that need to be monitored and adjusted than with freshwater. I was just wondering if you guys would be willing to share your knowledge and opinions for maintaining "good" water quality parameters...

Current set-up is a 29 gal been running for about a month now with a 20 long sump filled half way. In the sump I do have active carbon (which some people like and some people don't) as well as plenty of that green stringy looking plant stuff that's supposed to help. I've got at least 15 lbs of LR which I'm looking to get more.

Being my first saltwater tank I was expecting to be a FOWLR tank, but then reef bug bit me and hasn't stopped since. So I do have various corals... Zoos, a mushroom, frog spawn, duncan, trumpet, sps frag, and suncoral frag. Also I have 2 clowns,lawnmower & scooter blenny, clown goby, and various lil hermits and snails. I'm just listing everything in case they might also effect water quality.

I have taken the advice of ARC members and started an excel spread sheet so that i can chart the date/time/results of my water checks as well as what I did.

I'm using the Red Sea reef foundation pro test kit which contains Ca/KH/Mg tests. I have the Red Sea A/B/C corresponding supplements. For salinity I'm using a refractometer. For PH/ammonia/nitrate/nitrites, I've just been going to LFS to have them test for me.

Supplements that I currently have: Apparently there is better than Kent.
Kent Superbuffer-dKH
Kent Iodide
Kent Liquid Calcium
Kent Strontium & Molybdenum
Kent Reef Essential elements.
Kalkwasser powder

The salt that I am using is just regular instant ocean, not the Reef.
Last water change was about 4 days ago of 3 gallons. I don't have a RODI and have been using distilled water. Although tank was originally filled using tap with stress coat. (I didn't know any better)

Date Time Salinity Mag Alk CA PH 4-Aug 2200 1.026 1300 13.3 440
5-Aug 2330 1.026 1300 14 430
6-Aug 2200 1.026 water change


7-Aug 230 1.024 1200 12.6 375



added 100 ml
added 50ml
7-Aug

1300 12.3 450 8.3 8-Aug 1730 1.024 12 12 500
9-Aug 1430 1.025 12 12.6 475

I don't have exact numbers of ammonia/nitrate/nitrite currently, was just told they were good. Temp stays 79-81

The only product that I have used is some Kent Superbuffer(not since water change) and the Red Sea Mag/Ca as listed above.

I have not added any Iodide or Strontium & molybdenum because I was unsure how to know when I've added enough. I have been reading that it would be good to add these, but didn't know if there's a test kit I need for this.

As for the Kalk, I was really confused as to how much I would need and how to dose. I was told to put some in a gallon jug and put a hole in it so that I could drip it into my tank from a line. (I work at a hospital I was just going to use an IV pump line with roller clamp) I've decided to hold off as I'm not really comfortable with this yet.

Currently everything that I've put into my tank has opened and seems to be doing alright (suncoral stays closed even in the shade unless being fed, but he's relatively new to the tank)

Thanks for looking!

Edit: Sorry about the test results showing up weird.
The last one is Salinity 1.025, MAG 1200/ ALK 12.6, and Ca 475
Also anyone think they could help explain why my Alk is so high?

 

[cantare00]

Well, I figured as much, but that's how you learn right?

 

[hhughes]

If you're just starting out, don't go crazy dosing and adding stuff unless you know what you need and what your levels are etc. If you're doing regular water changes that is the single most important thing to keep up with, and a lot of the time that will keep all your levels in order unless you're overstocked or have animals with very specific needs.

 

[coolsurf]

hhughes;676028 wrote: If you're just starting out, don't go crazy dosing and adding stuff unless you know what you need and what your levels are etc. If you're doing regular water changes that is the single most important thing to keep up with, and a lot of the time that will keep all your levels in order unless you're overstocked or have animals with very specific needs.

+1

With regular water changes there won't be much to add and that depends on whats in the tank. Go slow..no need to overbuy, this hobby is expensive enough.

 

[bobz]

IMO, I agree that regular water changes should be about all you need to do to start. I am a firm believer that less is more. The less you do to change your tank parameters the better. Stable is better than constant fluxuations. Unless you know that you calcium demand is high due to a hevily loaded SPS tank I'd back off on additives and keep up on water changes. I'd also make the investment in an RO unit. The number one thing that will pay itself off in time and money in no time!