So, for the first time ever with my reef tank, I have measured some of the chemical parameters. I was at a local LFS and they had a Reef testing kits by Aquarium Pharmaceuticals that tests the following:
- Calcium
- Phosphates
- Nitrite
- KH
So I tested each of them and ended up with the following paramaters:
- Calcium: 400ppm
- dKH: 9
- Phosphates: 0
- Nitrites: 0
I wanted to raise the Calcium a little so I dosed some Kalkwasser top off and ended up with 460ppm calcium without effecting the dKH (still at 9).
These are very healthy parameters. I am quite pleased, I should really check the PH, though.
February 19th, 2008 at 11:24 am
I have the same test kit. What kind of salt are you using?
February 19th, 2008 at 11:29 am
I don’t use a salt mix kit - I live in LA so I have ready access to fresh seawater. Apparently the water that I use comes from a boat that goes out to Catalina Island every week and pulls water from a depth of 50ft. I haven’t tested the water directly, I have 5 gallons of it at home now. I will test it out and let you know what Ca and dKH levels it has.