I am back in the game. I have a ?

[saltyguy]

I was out of the hobby for awhile do to a move. I am finally back and up and running a 40 breeder with a 29gallon dump. 10/1/2017 I will be doing my first water change. I want to do a simple reef but I want to add calcium so I have a two part BRS calcium kit. I guess I have to get my water tested but dose anyone know how much calcium is in my tank right now? I have not added anything yet. Or should I just get the water tested and go from there? Thanks for the help.

 

[Jayreefer]

Only way to know what you have is to test. I recommend getting some test kits for ALK, CA, and Mag.

 

[saltyguy]

Yeah that's what I figured I would have to do. I didn't know if there was a common knowledge of where things would be from undosed (if you wil) water. Oh and I used Instant Ocean salt. Thanks anyways. I will have it tested for all that.

 

[Tschupe]

The salt mix you use will say what the calcium is

 

[Jayreefer]

Have you tested to see what it is actually in a new salt mix? It is very rarely what it says it is and after a few days you will only know what it is with a test. The test are cheap so why not do it right?

 

[TangingOut]

I agree with Jay. If your planning on dosing, get yourself some test kits. I like Red Sea for calcium and Salifert for alkalinity and magnesium.

 

[Mebeknob]

Ditto. You can't really dose properly without testing often. Fish stores can test for you... it honestly, I wouldn't dose off that. They usually use the cheapest test kits.
I like redsea test kits and the whole redsea reefcare program actually.


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[saltyguy]

Cool! Good info. I will be getting some test kits here soon.

 

[tcamos]

I was out of the hobby for awhile do to a move. I am finally back and up and running a 40 breeder with a 29gallon dump. 10/1/2017 I will be doing my first water change. I want to do a simple reef but I want to add calcium so I have a two part BRS calcium kit. I guess I have to get my water tested but dose anyone know how much calcium is in my tank right now? I have not added anything yet. Or should I just get the water tested and go from there? Thanks for the help.

Welcome back! It's always nice to see people get a tank again.
I'm with the crew above in terms of testing. If you are adding, test. It's the only real way of knowing. I use Hanna testers and really like them for ease of use and having an actual number to read.