What values R right for chemistry???

[Chris Jones]

I've been reading and trying to comprehend the additional readings for a marine tank, but i need to know if i am covering all the bases.
i know that i need 0 for ammonia, nitrite, & nitrate

i know i should maintain salinity(=specific gravity???) but i don't know to what level.

i know i should maintain pH, and i'm gathering that it should be 8.2 or 8.3, but this also depends on species i guess.

i know i should maintain a calcium level but i don't know to what level.

and i see readings for alkalinity. this puzzles me because isn't alkalinity what you would call the acidic side of the pH scale with the opposite being Basic ??

i saw a couple of other readings given, copper and something else i think. any way, some direction on this would help. i already looked at the advanced aquarist.com and WOW, very technical. guess i need a chart or something that tells me what i need to be worried about, what the readings are for normal, and how to correct them.

and don't worry, when i assimilate all this info i gather on *3reef, i will make some posts that other newbies will laud.
again thanks for the info.

[Chris Jones]

oh yeah, one more thing, what gadgets (electronic) do you recommend for checking some of the above readings??? i know some of them need to be titrated the old fashoned way, but if ther is an inexpensive device, like Nautilus' refractometer, i'd like to know about it.
thanks

BO4M-
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.htm
This link posted up by Boomer will give you all your answers.
Salinity 1.023 to 1.025
Cal 420 to 450
Alk 7 to 11 DKH
pH 8.2 to 8.4

Please read the link above for details.

[Chris Jones]

That is the perfect link and all that i asked for. book marked it is. Thanks Nautilus and Boomer!!