Help what levels should parameters be.

I know what the basic parameters should be at but I just started checking a few others and I need to know what you keep yours at. My system has soft corals only.

Ammonia- 0

Nitrate- 0

Nitrite- 0

PH- 8.2

Calcium- 360

DKH- 8

Phosphate- 0.5

I did a small dose to up the Calcium today. I am going slow so I don't shock the system. I have heard it should be around 400+. I also purchased DKH dosing materials but it said I should not does Calcium and DKH at the same time. The other supplements I use are Reef Trace and Reef Plus. I have not found a Magnesium test kit yet so I do not know those levels.

 

your right about the Ca it's a little low, but nothing too big to worry about, your alkalinity is a little low, most keep it around 10, but again nothing too major, phosphate should be 0ppm, but you may test 0 and still have some because the algae will use it up before it can be tested for.

 

Guitar man thanks for the response. So what should I bring the CA up to?

 

I strive to keep my ca around 450. Anything other than that is pointless

 

Better check the magnesium also get that to 1400ppm then hit the Ca but watch the DKH as thats low also ca about 450 to 500 and DKH at 12 average will put you where you need to be. But get the magnesium right first or it will be a Yo Yo ride for the Ca and DKH .

 

Your calcium level should not effect what you have in your tank right now! I wouldn't worry about raising it right now!!!! Plus, unless you are willing to watch you magnesium and alkalinity as well since they tend to work in different directions of each other(calcium and mag, alk)!
If you had a large population of stony corals and coralline algae then I would say to increase it but with what you have, you run the risk of your calcium precipitating on your substrate and pumps/powerheads, possibly causing less effectiveness and possible damage to equipment.
Soft corals will do better under slightly higher nitrate and dissolved organic levels. This combined with iodine and moderate water flow will aid in the growth and spreading of your corals!

 

CR is right...your Ca level is great for soft corals.

Do not spend allot of effort and $ trying to increase it.

Let your salt mix keep stable level for you and do regular water changes.

Some salt mixes have higher Ca levels then others.

 

Thanks for all the replies guys. I have not been able to find a mag. test kit. Does anyone have a recomendation?

 

I use this one:

Aquarium Water Quality & Testing: Red Sea Magnesium Test Lab

 

salifert


Reef Aquarium Water Parameters by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com