Parameter testing questions

[allendehl]

Hello folks,

I brought home last night a beautiful anemone (purple base maroon) and a small piece of rock with a few polyps of random zoas.
Both started to open and look happy a few mins after introduced in the tank with the light first dimmed then on. This morning the zoas were close, probably because lights are off?

Can someone help me find out what test kits do I need to get to make sure I keep everything on check for my new friends?

Also, a few tips on values or a point to a thread that lists them would be helpful.

Also, can you help me confirm the nem ID? When I google the name I have nothing likes it come up.

Thanks a lot in advance!

 

[Uncle99]

Looks like an LTA to me, many varieties, many colours.
SG 1.024-1.025
Temp 78-80
Alk 8-12
Calcium 420
Mag 1200-1300
Nitrate 0
Phosphate 0
Ammonia 0

Moderate to bright light for the LTA.

Target feed once per week with a small fingernail size piece of shrimp placed lights on the mouth until it is grabbed, or frozen brine shrimp or myst shrimp.

 

[Uncle99]

That's lightly not lights or you will electrocute it....it would not do well this way.
Remember, anenomes do best in a tank which is at least 6 months old.

 

[mcgyvr]

Read..
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/
That gives you the "ranges" of whats acceptable and what they are,etc... I typically recommend targeting levels like your freshly mixed saltwater so large water changes,etc.. don't knock your parameters out of wack..

So if your salt mixes up to 9dKH, 400ppm cal, 1250ppm mag.. Then target those levels and keep it stable..

In general water changes alone are sufficient to keep levels stable when you are starting out.. Once you start to get a bunch of stony corals or extensive coralline algae then water changes might not be enough and then you start looking into dosing to ensure your levels stay stable between water changes..

 

[allendehl]

Thanks....bookmarked!

Now about lights. I have them on schedule to turn on at 4pm until 10pm, mostly when I'm back home so I can enjoy the tank.
The zoas were kind of closed, I believe, this morning. Is that normal?..are they waiting for the lights to come up?

 

[mcgyvr]

Thanks....bookmarked!

Now about lights. I have them on schedule to turn on at 4pm until 10pm, mostly when I'm back home so I can enjoy the tank.
The zoas were kind of closed, I believe, this morning. Is that normal?..are they waiting for the lights to come up?

Corals will absolutely respond to lighting.. Typically they close up when the lights aren't on and open back up when they are..
So yes.. totally normal..

In general you want a minimum of 6 hours of "solid" light to keep them happy..
and many run 8-12 hours or even more to match their personal schedules..