A little advice please

[Shauny200]

Now I test my water every week and also do water changes every week.
My ph is 8.2 always stable
Kh 10.2 always stable
Mag 1250
Cal 420
Mag and Cal do fluctuate a little but not too much
Is there anything I need to add or take away? Ie adjust
Only asking as I have to start to mix my own water so trying to decide which salt to go for.

Many thanks

 

[CStrickland]

I use this chart for my target parameters. http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/ Then adjust the salt to one that can keep up with what my coral are using from the water. I don't have very much demand for Mg, Ca and Alk, so I use a cheaper salt. Sometimes I'll add Ca and Alk in my top off water, and once in a while I dose Mg. If you don't keep Mg up, then Ca and Alk won't stay dissolved in the water.

What coral are you keeping?

 

[thegrun]

A little depends on what corals you primarily want to keep and are you looking to maximize growth or color. For growth I would shoot for 450ppm Ca, 1350 Mg and alkalinity around 10.5 dKh, for color 425ppm Ca, 1350 Mg and alkalinity about 8.5 dKh.

 

[Shauny200]

I mainly have lps but don't seem to get alot of growth but everything looks healthy

 

[thegrun]

Rather than shoot for numbers strive to stay consistent with your parameters. Most corals will adjust to your parameters provided they are stable, when they bounce all over the corals do not know what to expect. If they look good now and you want more growth slowly raise the magnesium and calcium levels.

 

[Shauny200]

Thanks for the advice guys, much appreciated