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03-30-2008, 02:31 PM
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#1 (permalink)
| | Bristle Worm
Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: West Chester, PA
Posts: 127
Karma: 22
 |  Calcium and Alkalinity
ohk....so i hear all this talk about people maintianing there alkalinity and calcium. i do not right now do that, i just do the normal nitrates, amonia etc. i want to start to to the calciums levels and alkalinity because i would liek to start trying to keep some sps..... like acropora.
can someone explain to me what i should buy for what, and is it just like testing nitrates, amonia etc. Where you would take some water drop some drops in and it will change colors ... good/bad, and then if its bad you would put some of whatever the chemical is you would need??
let me hear your input, it would really help........THANKS!! | 
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03-30-2008, 02:36 PM
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#2 (permalink)
| | Giant Squid
Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Miami, FL Age: 39
Posts: 4,932
 
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First you need to buy testers for Cal and alk. Test it, depending on the result, then you either add or do nothing. _________ 9YR OLD 90G/55g custom sump/refug Mag18 Aquac 180skimmer 692w MH AC jr,yel&kole tang,midas&convict blenny,B&G chromies,Blk/yel fin chromie blackcap,nemo,neon goby,6line; Blastomussa Merleti,Acan ,BUBBLE,Torch,LTA, Acropora(2) Moon, assort zoas, yel& G star polyps, P&B ricordia, montiporas, cup&candy corals, xenias,B/G mush,flower ane(2), cherry red mussa, dusters,cleaning crew..  | 
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03-30-2008, 02:38 PM
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#3 (permalink)
| | Giant Squid
Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Miami, FL Age: 39
Posts: 4,932
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If you want to start a reef, you will need the following tests;
Dkh/Alk, Cal, Mag, PH, SR, SG, and temp. I personaly also like to test for No3 | |
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03-30-2008, 02:43 PM
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#4 (permalink)
| | Bristle Worm
Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: West Chester, PA
Posts: 127
Karma: 22
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THanks for the info ....... cause right now i just test PH, TEMP, NITRATES, AMONIA. What does Sr and Sg stand for??? | |
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03-30-2008, 02:53 PM
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#5 (permalink)
| | Giant Squid
Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Miami, FL Age: 39
Posts: 4,932
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SR---strontium SG---specific gravity(salt) | |
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03-30-2008, 03:44 PM
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#6 (permalink)
| | Giant Squid
Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Elizabethtown, IN Age: 40
Posts: 3,833
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You need to worry about the Magnesium too because it will be difficult to keep calcium and ALK stable without it. _________ Scott 265g (Peninsula)
3x400w MH's, 4x95w Actinics, AAT Lunar Lights, OM 4-way CL, PM Bullet 3 Skimmer, DelZone Eclipse 1 O3 Generator, WavySea Plus for return, AAT Kalk Reactor, KNOP Ca Reactor w/PM Second Chamber, TradeWinds Chiller, ACIII Controller, Oceanus ATO, PM PO4 Reactor, 75g Sump, 30g Fuge Born March 5, 2007 Parameters My 265 Gal. Tank Thread   | |
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04-03-2008, 07:44 AM
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#7 (permalink)
| | Spaghetti Worm
Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: London, ON, Canada
Posts: 196
Karma: 134
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The relationship of alk/calcium and magnesium can be misunderstood very easily so it would be best to read up about it.
The best reading I've found is in Randy's links on his Reef Chemistry sticky: Reef Central Online Community - Reef Chemistry Articles
When you go to that page, scroll down to "common problems" and "calcium and alkalinity" for excellent information. | |
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04-03-2008, 08:33 AM
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#8 (permalink)
| | Tassled File Fish
Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: joliet,il Age: 41
Posts: 1,998
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Quote: |
i would liek to start trying to keep some sps..... like acropora.
| sps are for experienced reefers, you might want to try an easier coral until further research/learning is done | |
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04-03-2008, 10:57 AM
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#9 (permalink)
| | Giant Squid
Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Elizabethtown, IN Age: 40
Posts: 3,833
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Quote:
Originally Posted by reef_guru  sps are for experienced reefers, you might want to try an easier coral until further research/learning is done | Yea or it will be an expensive lesson if your tank is not prepared for it. They take pristine water conditions and don't like parameters to fluctuate. | |
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