Reef master kit

[cody2cannon]

Ok so right now I'm testing,

pH - 8.2
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 0

When should I start testing my calcium, hardness, and phosphates??

 

[NanaReefer]

You can test anytime. Practice makes perfect [emoji6]

 

[Oscar47f]

Phosphates you can start checking if you see a lot of algae in the tank, but the other two parameters are only important mainly for corals

 

[Oscar47f]

I agree with the above as well, good habits in the beginning makes things a lot easier lol

 

[cody2cannon]

I have lots of hair algae, are phosphates harmful to fish?

 

[Oscar47f]

no Phosphates are not typically harmful to fish.. but many corals in the LPS and SPS family need very low phosphates like .25 ppm ...

 

[cody2cannon]

Ok I'll test today and see what I come back with. Won't have corals for months so it will be good practice

 

[cody2cannon]

So when adding corals I'm going to want nitrates to be elavated correct? At what ppm should my nitrates be steady at? And how do I get them there?

 

[cody2cannon]

Calcium - 360
KH - 196.9
Nitrates - 0
Phosphates - 0

 

[Oscar47f]

try and keep the calcium at 430 and kh at 8-9 dkh i don't know what it is in other units.. if you're using the API test kist and nitrates and phosphates read 0 you might have some of each but its like <5 ppm so that typically where you want to be

 

[cody2cannon]

Will the calcium raise on its own? Tank has been up for a month and a half

 

[Oscar47f]

Maybe with a water change with a good salt or with added calcium supplements...