First time test for Mg KH Ca

[U Ben Fishin]

Mg 1400
KH 6.4
Ca 390

Tank 30 days old with no water changes
3 turbo snails
6 hermits
3 ? snails
2 yellow tail damsels
2 clowns
some zoes
a few mushrooms
GSP
live sand
30 lbs live rock
Just added frog spoon
Na almost 0 if not 0
Phos 0
just mixed 5 gal of fresh water with Fritz RPM salt water mix getting read for water change.

What would you do?

 

[U Ben Fishin]

I do have a ATO too!

 

[Scorpius]

Ca is a little low. I run 420 Ca. Alkalinity, I run about 8-8.5 dkh. Magnesium is good. Either find a salt that has the numbers you like or you can do any number of additives like kalkwasser or 2 part.

 

[bertoni]

The usual recommended range for alkalinity is 7-11 dKH, although 6.4 might be acceptable. Due to limits in our test kits and dosing procedures, though, I'd raise that to at least 7 and make sure the daily low was no lower.

The recommended range for calcium is 350-450 ppm, on average, and 390 should be fine. A higher level might in theory produce a bit more growth.

This article covers all the basic water parameters:

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.htm