Suggested reef parameters

[Prosniper1926]

Ok so im not gonna ask what the ideal parameters are as i beleave it varys with the tank/ecosystem. But i was wondering about the the suggested range. I have been out of the hobbie for roughly 6 years and im brushing up on stuff ive forgetten. Ive got a 24 gallon tank that i hope to start cycling this weekend. Ive orderd red sea coral pro salt and was wondering if the parameters from the salt would be ok for now although the alkalinity seems high? Id love to hear what you guys think. I hope to do a slight mixed reef but mainly lps and soft corals.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

This has been my go-to for tank parameters.

 

[Prosniper1926]

This has been my go-to for tank parameters.

Ok so red sea parameters are close or a touch higher if salinity is at 35. I could probably drop the salinity a little. Mayne to 33 or 32 to get them down some. After testeing my water ofcourse to be sure

 

[X-37B]

I use RedSea blue bucket on 6 systems., 150g's-13g's
All systems run between these numbers.
Above or below these numbers I adjust back in range
Temp 77-80
SG 1.026- 1.027
Alk 7-8
Ca 400-450
Mag 1300-1400
Po4 .1-.2
No3<10
15g for reference.
Im not a fan of high alk for any system.

 

[Prosniper1926]

I use RedSea blue bucket on 6 systems., 150g's-13g's
All systems run between these numbers.
Above or below these numbers I adjust back in range
Temp 77-80
SG 1.026- 1.027
Alk 7-8
Ca 400-450
Mag 1300-1400
Po4 .1-.2
No3<10
15g for reference.
Im not a fan of high alk for any system.

Thats an awsome tank. What kind of sps do you have in it?

And yeah unfortunately i didnt notice the level of alkalinity in the coral pro. Is there a way to lower the alkalinity so i can still use the salt i purchased?

 

[X-37B]

Thats an awsome tank. What kind of sps do you have in it?

And yeah unfortunately i didnt notice the level of alkalinity in the coral pro. Is there a way to lower the alkalinity so i can still use the salt i purchased?

You can lower it with sodium bisulfate.

Thread 'IM 15 Nano Cube' https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/im-15-nano-cube.1099086/

 

[Fish Fan]

I try to follow the suggestions from Randy Holmes-Farley for target ranges in this article:

Randy’s Thoughts on Nutrient Target Ranges

Thoughts on Nutrient Target Ranges by Randy Holmes-Farley Almost nothing in the world of reef aquarium chemistry causes as much discussion as selecting and maintaining ranges for nitrate and phosphate. Some aquarists want low targets, some want...

www.reef2reef.com

From the above:

• Let nitrate float between 5 ppm and 50 ppm. I’d use gentle export in this range, such as growing macroalgae.
• Above 50 ppm, I’d begin to focus more on reducing it, by organic carbon dosing, turf or macroalgae, etc.
• Below 5 ppm, I’d begin to dose ammonia or feed more. The target level might drop lower if dosing ammonia, just like the heavy in/heavy out scenario where nitrate may not be as needed.
• Let phosphate float between about 0.06 ppm and 0.3 ppm. This range is higher than I’ve recommended in the past. I’d use gentle export in this range, such as growing macroalgae.
• Above about 0.3 ppm, I’d begin to focus more on reducing it, by turf or macroalgae, or a binder such as GFO or lanthanum (has its own risks to tangs). If a binder: GO SLOW. Turf and macroalgae will typically be slow enough.
• Below 0.06 ppm, I’d begin to dose sodium phosphate or feed more to get the level up.

Good luck!

 

[Prosniper1926]

Thats an awsome tank. What kind of sps do you have in it?

And yeah unfortunately i didnt notice the level of alkalinity in the coral pro. Is there a way to lower the alkalinity so i can still use the salt i purchased?

You can lower it with sodium bisulfate.

Thread 'IM 15 Nano Cube' https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/im-15-nano-cube.1099086/

Awsome thank you. Ill keep sodium bisulfate in mind. Im gonna try a lower salinity at first and see what happens. But its nice to have a back up plan if it doesnt

 

[skey44]

I only only test 6 parameters. Using Tropic Marin Pro salt and Tropic Marin all for reef.
Salinity- 1.025-1.027 use a refractometer and reference off of Tropic Marin hydrometer.
PH- just because I have a controller but growth is always reflected in higher pH
Temp- 1 degree swing or less
Alk- I like 8 l dKH not high but not close to critical low (Hanna checker)
Nitrate-3-15ppm (Hanna)
Phophate- 0.06-0.2ppm (Hanna)

I’ve had decent growth and success with stony corals maintaining these parameters. I do an every other weekly two bucket WC on my 80 gallon display.

 

[Prosniper1926]

And now the process begins

 

[Reef Jedi]

This has been my go-to for tank parameters.

This right here!

 

[Prosniper1926]

Thats an awsome tank. What kind of sps do you have in it?

And yeah unfortunately i didnt notice the level of alkalinity in the coral pro. Is there a way to lower the alkalinity so i can still use the salt i purchased?

You can lower it with sodium bisulfate.

Thread 'IM 15 Nano Cube' https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/im-15-nano-cube.1099086/

Did you mean Sodium Bicarbonate by chance? I cant find bisulfate

 

[X-37B]

Sodium Bisulfate / 8 Ounce Bottle / 99.5% Pure Reagent Grade / Microprills / USA | eBay

Sodium Bisulfate, also known as Sodium Hydrogen Sulfate, is the sodium salt of the bisulfate ion. A 1M solution of Sodium Bisulfate has a pH of < 1. SODIUM BISULFATE. The item for sale is 8 Ounces (227 Grams) of Sodium Bisulfate (NaHSO. ).

ebay.us

 

[Prosniper1926]

Sodium Bisulfate / 8 Ounce Bottle / 99.5% Pure Reagent Grade / Microprills / USA | eBay

Sodium Bisulfate, also known as Sodium Hydrogen Sulfate, is the sodium salt of the bisulfate ion. A 1M solution of Sodium Bisulfate has a pH of < 1. SODIUM BISULFATE. The item for sale is 8 Ounces (227 Grams) of Sodium Bisulfate (NaHSO. ).

ebay.us

Ah. Must have iver looked it. Thank you

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Awsome thank you. Ill keep sodium bisulfate in mind. Im gonna try a lower salinity at first and see what happens. But its nice to have a back up plan if it doesnt

I would not lower salinity to match those parameters because that lowers other important elements such as potassium.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I think the BRS table is outdated based on widespread reefer experiences with higher phosphate and nitrate. This is my current recommendation and the article below has examples of higher values being OK:

Randy’s Thoughts on Nutrient Target Ranges

Thoughts on Nutrient Target Ranges by Randy Holmes-Farley Almost nothing in the world of reef aquarium chemistry causes as much discussion as selecting and maintaining ranges for nitrate and phosphate. Some aquarists want low targets, some want...

www.reef2reef.com

4. What targets seem reasonable? Of course, that depends on all the other factors at play, such as types of corals, availability of ammonia, particulate foods, etc. However, for a mature mixed reef, this would be how I personally would run it:

• Let nitrate float between 5 ppm and 50 ppm. I’d use gentle export in this range, such as growing macroalgae.
• Above 50 ppm, I’d begin to focus more on reducing it, by organic carbon dosing, turf or macroalgae, etc.
• Below 5 ppm, I’d begin to dose ammonia or feed more. The target level might drop lower if dosing ammonia, just like the heavy in/heavy out scenario where nitrate may not be as needed.
• Let phosphate float between about 0.06 ppm and 0.3 ppm. This range is higher than I’ve recommended in the past. I’d use gentle export in this range, such as growing macroalgae.
• Above about 0.3 ppm, I’d begin to focus more on reducing it, by turf or macroalgae, or a binder such as GFO or lanthanum (has its own risks to tangs). If a binder: GO SLOW. Turf and macroalgae will typically be slow enough.
• Below 0.06 ppm, I’d begin to dose sodium phosphate or feed more to get the level up.

 

[Prosniper1926]

Awsome thank you. Ill keep sodium bisulfate in mind. Im gonna try a lower salinity at first and see what happens. But its nice to have a back up plan if it doesnt

I would not lower salinity to match those parameters because that lowers other important elements such as potassium.

Yeah i backed out of that idea. It would only bring the alkalinity to 10 or 11 anyway. It my be best just to order red sea blue bucket and maybe ill be able to do water changes with the coral pro when i have more alkalinity consumption

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Yeah i backed out of that idea. It would only bring the alkalinity to 10 or 11 anyway. It my be best just to order red sea blue bucket and maybe ill be able to do water changes with the coral pro when i have more alkalinity consumption

That sounds like a fine plan.

 

[CHSUB]

I personally like BRS chart but the Ocean Values side, why not try to maintain levels that resemble the “ultimate” example?… Raja Ampat!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I personally like BRS chart but the Ocean Values side, why not try to maintain levels that resemble the “ultimate” example?… Raja Ampat!

Because we generally provide far less suitable particular food for corals, so we make up for that lack in other ways.