Testing water, best conditions

[chetw]

2 months into my new 10 gallon nano tank. latest test pH=8.0, Ca=460, kh=179, Mg=1350. I added some LPS coral and 2 fish. question I have is, are my vitals good? what are good numbers for Ca, Mg and KH

 

[sbash]

So far it looks good... Although you 'kh' reading is probably ppm calcium carbonate, not dkh. If it is dkh, then you have big problems :P

Take a read through the following article for some great information on ideal parameters:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/

 

[chetw]

Thanks for the reply. KH (Carbonate Hardness). I've been doing research on R2R on testing. much to learn.

 

[sbash]

KH (Carbonate Hardness)

Right, KH is the test. However you posted 179 as the result with no unit of measurement as to what it referred to. I assumed you meant 179 ppm calcium carbonate and not 179 dKH. So with a carbonate hardness test, 179 ppm calcium carbonate is good, as is 8-12 dKH (degree Carbonate Hardness)... Just making sure we are clear on your actual KH test results!

 

[chetw]

Right, KH is the test. However you posted 179 as the result with no unit of measurement as to what it referred to. I assumed you meant 179 ppm calcium carbonate and not 179 dKH. So with a carbonate hardness test, 179 ppm calcium carbonate is good, as is 8-12 dKH (degree Carbonate Hardness)... Just making sure we are clear on your actual KH test results!

Right, KH is the test. However you posted 179 as the result with no unit of measurement as to what it referred to. I assumed you meant 179 ppm calcium carbonate and not 179 dKH. So with a carbonate hardness test, 179 ppm calcium carbonate is good, as is 8-12 dKH (degree Carbonate Hardness)... Just making sure we are clear on your actual KH test results!

Right, KH is the test. However you posted 179 as the result with no unit of measurement as to what it referred to. I assumed you meant 179 ppm calcium carbonate and not 179 dKH. So with a carbonate hardness test, 179 ppm calcium carbonate is good, as is 8-12 dKH (degree Carbonate Hardness)... Just making sure we are clear on your actual KH test results!

You are correct it was ppm. dKH is 10. I'm learning what I'm actually testing and what the results mean. thanks for the link, I'm going to print this for reference

 

[jsker]

What test are you using?
400 to 450 is good for Ca
1320 to 1400 is good for Mg
7.8 t0 8.5 is good for Alk
.01 to .03 ppm for phosphates
3 to 5 ppm on nitrates

Once your system matures your Ca, Mg, Alk will settle in. I have found that once the alk is balanced then one can balance the Ca and Mg. If you start seeing algae in the system your nutrients are high. The key is how your system looks, tests can vary from test to test.