testing

hey yall im gonna start testing for calcium and ak tommorow but im not sure what i should have them at i have never tested for that before any input would be great on what to test for and how much i should have. if you need to know i have a 20 gallon.

 

ok in general your alk should be betweek 8 and 12 dkh and ca between 350 and 450

 

You should also be testing for magnesium

 

There should be instructions with any test kits that you get, and it should also have any applicable conversion charts.

What kits are you planning on going with? Some are easier to read than others.

 

i usually just get the api but i already have the ammonia and nitrite ph and nitrate so what do yall recommend

 

okay so i tested my ca and it was 400 but my kh was so high it took more drops then the test conversion kit came with. also i need to add some water due to a spill from my filter. should i let it sit over night or so and also would it be a good idea to throw a piece of rock in it to help it gain bacteria before i add it to the tank.

 

How high does your alk show? Retest it until you think that you get an accurate reading. If your alk is really high your PH is most likely in a high range also. Be careful when making adjustments with either of these you can cause all kinds of problems by trying to correct them to quickly. Your calcium number is ok but most try to raise it to 430 to 450. If you do not have any sps or lps it probably wont change to much for you.

 

those readings should balance their selfs out and by any means, if they go over or under, don't panic wc will bring them back. PH 7.8 it's kind of low to 8.5 is little high, DKH 8º - 12º and calcium 380ppm to 520ppm is acceptable but it might vary