Kh params

[lilfish717]

PS distilled water is a good substitute for RODI. I've used it in a pinch and here is a thread from R2R with the a member confirming it has zero TDS

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/r...or-ro-di-water-when-topping-off-your-t.87654/

Good info. Thanks

 

[lilfish717]

The general consensus is RODI water is the best. It gives you basically pure water. You add a good salt to it and it now contains all the minerals that you need for a reef tank. As far as water filters go, you can buy a water filter to purify your tap for better drinking water. This will help to filter out chlorine, heavy metals, bacteria, etc. but it won’t demineralize your water unless it promises to. Just need to read the instructions.

Sounds like you’re still new to reefing. I recommend reading a bit more. Watching some videos (BRS TV on YouTube is great). And continue to keep asking questions. Generally people on this forum are helpful, won’t criticize you for making mistakes and can give you lots of info to help you along.

Yea, I'm trying. I have so many questions just don't know where to start. I don't know where to start a thread with a bunch of questions. My main problem right now is where to have my parameters, what they do if they're messed up and what it causes. How to maintain them. All without spending hundreds of dollars.

 

[lilfish717]

Randy Holmes-Farley has great articles on the subject of water chemistry and has his own sub forum here

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

I did try reading his stuff. But I'd consider myself a pretty smart person and this is whole different type of smart. I was never the best with science and all the scientific word (like 2 in 1 sentence) are too hard for me to understand.

 

[NS Mike D]

Do you have mixed reef?

yes

 

[NS Mike D]

Using a reliable water source that has no impurities will save you lots of headaches. So start with either distilled or RODI water.

This is a good video from BRS that covers RODI units and salt mixes. Distilled water is acceptable, but a RODI unit will cost less to run and eliminate lugging water from the store. When getting a RODI unit you need to know if your tap is using chlorine or Chloramine, the latter will require extra filers so you don't use up the DI stage too fast. The video will explain.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/video/view/week-7-how-to-produce-the-best-water-possible/

 

[NS Mike D]

here is a video on why to do water changes. BRS recommends 15% every week. Note, they recommend making sure the water temp and salinity match your tank. Also, salt water needs to acclimate to your air. CO2 in the air will affect the pH as it reacts, some say mixing up to 24 hours before doing a water change but I think equilibrium happens faster than that. I do 5 gallon water change weekly. I use a 6 gallon brute container. I put a small heater and circulating pump and let make the mix a day before to give time to get up to temp and to test for and adjust salinity. I use Reef Crystals.

In a new tank this should be all you need to do, but as you probably know this hobby can get extremely complex.

Algae WILL show up. We call it new tank syndrome. Thus it's important to keep NO3 and PO4 low in a new tank while it establishes the corals and microfauna that will compete the nuisance alage/bacteria

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/video/view/week-7-how-to-produce-the-best-water-possible/

 

[NS Mike D]

In the beginning water changes should be sufficient to maintain good water chemistry but as you add corals and they start consuming bicarbonates and calcium to build their skeletons, you will likely need to replace them in addition to and in between water changes. This is a good video from BRS explaining alkalinity, calcium and Mg (which keeps them from getting together and precipitating out of the water volume).

Note that they recommend ALK at 8.5 dkh which is the middle ground of the range of generally accepted levels - which they also note gives you more room for error. As I mentioned, I keep mine at 9+ since this is where I find it is easiest to maintain. IMO a stable 9 is better than chasing and unstable 11.5 . Keep in mind that sea water is closer to 7 (this is the range for ultra low nutrient SPS only tanks).

 

[NS Mike D]

One last post for you. To get your tank to the correct parameters (the target level you select) start with making saltwater using RODI or distilled water and doing 15% weekly water changes with it. That will steadily bring your parameters in line with the salt mix.

This thread has a good comparison of how the different brands mix up. Note there is a good variance in each test. What you want is consistency within your desired target range when you mix it at your home as local air and testing methods will affect the final number.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/saltmix-parameters-bring-on-the-test-results.233233/

 

[ScottR]

Yea, I'm trying. I have so many questions just don't know where to start. I don't know where to start a thread with a bunch of questions. My main problem right now is where to have my parameters, what they do if they're messed up and what it causes. How to maintain them. All without spending hundreds of dollars.

I hear ya on the money thing. This hobby can cost you a bit. I’ve been broke in this hobby before and there are shortcuts. But usually shortcuts end up being headaches down the road. I’ve been in this hobby off and on for 20 years. It’s always been a major move that took me out of it. But I can say now, there are so many resources that make it easier. There are also many types of equipment and it seems daunting. But you don’t need 90% of it.

 

[laverda]

17 DKH is way to high for corals. RO/DI should have zero DKH. You should not be dosing anything yet. Your corals are not going to be using enough to worry about until you get your ALK lower and stable. Water changes should be able to keep your element levels ok until you have more corals and they start growing. I would aim for 8-9 DKH. Once you get it there keep it stable. Spend your money on good test kits and a RO/DI filter first. Once you stop using tap water you will have much better control over your water parameters.