Optimal Ca and KH/Alk levels

[drew1092]

Hello all. I recently recieved my Salifert KH/Alk and Ca test kits and feel like a severly undereducated chemist! To bad we don't need to use bunsen burners to read these test!

On the KH/Alk (directions a little muddled) my color changed at .22ml which according to chart is a KH of 12.5 and Alk of 4.46. Only problem is I don't know what normal or too low or too high is and there are no perameters on test kit. I applogize for the dumb question but does someone have a link or chart with optimal perameters?

My water is 1.024 SG, temp 79, Amonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 5, Ph 8.4. This is a 29 gallon tank and is in 4th week of cycle. Is it too early to start testing for Ca and KH/ Alk yet? Thanks!

[tdwyatt]

Originally Posted by drew1092

Hello all. I recently recieved my Salifert KH/Alk and Ca test kits and feel like a severly undereducated chemist! To bad we don't need to use bunsen burners to read these test!

On the KH/Alk (directions a little muddled) my color changed at .22ml which according to chart is a KH of 12.5 and Alk of 4.46. Only problem is I don't know what normal or too low or too high is and there are no perameters on test kit. I applogize for the dumb question but does someone have a link or chart with optimal perameters?

My water is 1.024 SG, temp 79, Amonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 5, Ph 8.4. This is a 29 gallon tank and is in 4th week of cycle. Is it too early to start testing for Ca and KH/ Alk yet? Thanks!

What are your plans for the system in terms of corals you want? Do you have a biotope you plan to emulate? Do you have a DSB? What Salt mix do you use? What is your salinity? Do you have plans to keep any macroalgae, and if so, which ones do you plan to keep? What about fishes?

[DevilBoy]

this is a chart that shows balanced alk and ca readings.

Alkalinity__Alkalinity____Alkalinity_____Calcium
(meq/L)____(dKH)___(ppm CaCO3)__(ppm Ca++)

--0.0---------0.0------------0-------------360
--0.5---------1.4-----------25-------------370
--1.0---------2.8-----------50-------------380
--1.5---------4.2-----------75-------------390
--2.0---------5.6----------100------------400
--2.5---------7.0----------125------------410
--3.0---------8.4----------150------------420
--3.5---------9.8----------175------------430
--4.0--------11.2----------200------------440
--4.5--------12.6----------225------------450
--5.0--------14.0----------250------------460
--5.5--------15.4----------275------------470
--6.0--------16.8----------300------------480
--6.5--------18.2----------325------------490
--7.0--------19.6----------350------------500

and here is link on saltwater chemistry, a very good article


http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

[drew1092]

Got it thanks. Looks like I need to do more studying. Fortunatly I've got the time being only 4 weeks in. My SG is 1.024. Plans are easy to care for corals, learning along the way. I will not be getting into higher end corals or those that require a lot of light. Currently I have waving xenia, Kenyas and a mushroom, all came with my LR. But I will be getting more colorful shrooms and corals as recommended for my set up. Fish: as of now I have none, plans are 2 clowns, 6 line, and maybe yellow clown gobbie. Thanks!

[shaggy52282]

Hmmm...based on that site my CA/KH levels are just barely into zone 4. 460ca and 8KH (pH is 8.2ish...colors on the pH test are a bit harder to distinguish)should be fine...right?