Still confused about testing

Blue Meg

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i only live a few blocks from my lfs and they test for free. But one day someone was talking about pH, calcium, and alkalinity.

I used to assume that pH and alkalinity were the same thing as they were often used interchangeably in chem lab in college. A solution with a pH of 12 was an alkaline solution for example. Now it seems to be calcium? And then they also did a calcium test? What gives?
 

K. Steven

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Alkalinity, in terms of reef aquariums, means the total carbonate and bicarbonate concentration in the water. Carbonate (CO3^2-) combines with calcium (Ca^2+) to form the hard skeleton of stony corals. It is important to maintain these concentrations to provide these types of corals the elements they need to continuously build their skeletons.
 

Mikedawg

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i only live a few blocks from my lfs and they test for free. But one day someone was talking about pH, calcium, and alkalinity.

I used to assume that pH and alkalinity were the same thing as they were often used interchangeably in chem lab in college. A solution with a pH of 12 was an alkaline solution for example. Now it seems to be calcium? And then they also did a calcium test? What gives?
Try this: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/o...-reef-aquarium-by-randy-holmes-farley.173563/
 

Just grow it: Have you ever added CO2 to your reef tank?

  • I currently use a CO2 with my reef tank.

    Votes: 8 7.0%
  • I don’t currently use CO2 with my reef tank, but I have in the past.

    Votes: 4 3.5%
  • I have never used CO2 with my reef tank, but I plan to in the future.

    Votes: 5 4.4%
  • I have never used CO2 with my reef tank and have no plans to in the future.

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  • Other.

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