question on kh and calcium

[treecowboy42]

I was starting a new coral and fish tank, and I read the newbies thread on kh and calcium. I was just wondering on the proper levels of these, kh is measured in drops, which is a good level?Calcium I am not sure how it is measured, or the proper level of this, besides the reg. test is there anything I need for tests before I get started? I have a master reef test from api

 

[IslandCrow]

Calcium is generally measured in ppm. Rather than tell you, I'll show you. Take a look at this article, and it should answer all of your questions: http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

If it doesn't, take a look through the links on this thread: http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=102605

It's all very useful information by the way. I think I've read just about every article in that second link. And now I can impress all of my friends at parties. . .OK, not really, but good reading none the less.

 

[treecowboy42]

Well I guess my real question is on a kh and a calcium api test kit how may drops is a good level, for kh I was told 7-12, calcium I am not sure.

 

[seapug]

You want your Alkalinity to be around 7-12. Calcium should be between 350-450 ideally, but don't be upset if you can't keep your levels at 12 dkh and cal. 450 all the time. Your ability to do this is dependent on a number of other parameters of water chemistry. pH, Magnesium, Phosphate, and Nitrate can all affect calcium and alkalinity.

Stability at some point within the acceptable range of Calcium, Alkalinity and pH is what you really want to aim for.

Here's an article with great practical advice that really helped me wrap my mind around the relationship:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

 

[reefergeorge]

I shoot for 9-12 drops on my api KH test kit. IMO 7 is too low.
On my cal I keep it around 20-21 drops. I forget what ppm that is.

 

[WaterKeeper]

It is far better to convert the drop count to actual levels in degrees KH or ppm of Ca. The kit should tell you those values. That way you can compare it with other test kit results as well as published recommended levels.

 

[reefergeorge]

For the cal I'm pretty sure each drop is 20 ppm, and for the KH I think you multiply the drops by .36 to get meq/l.
So that would be cal of 400-420, and kh of 3.24-4.32 meq/l

I usually write what I want on the bottles, and toss all the paper work. What man needs directions

 

[WaterKeeper]

:lol:

Let's see, Electrician that don't know a meq/l if one fell on them?

 

[treecowboy42]

Thanks for the info, I read the newbie thread that Waterkeeper wrote, I was just not sure on how to transfer, the drop ratio to ppm.

 

[treecowboy42]

I read that a 2 equal part system is best, and I do understand that needing to add just 1 at a time may come up also, I was wondering if this a good 2 part system? http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4676+4737&pcatid=4737

 

[WaterKeeper]

I know this guy and he writes some good stuff--

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-03/rhf/index.php

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-04/rhf/index.php

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-05/rhf/index.php

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-09/rhf/index.php

Even if his his one of those good for nothing Chemists.

 

[treecowboy42]

wow good reading and very heplful in learning, you know your stuff. some points alittle deep for me, but I got the jist of it all.

 

[treecowboy42]

So after reading your articles, I am starting a 55 gal sw, with 50 lbs of live rock, 45 lbs of Argonite and crushed coral, I have a sump filter, with carbon and bio balls, and a 220 gal protein skimmer. Will that be good for dealing with most of what you speak about with different levels of chem. and minerals, in a tank?

 

[WaterKeeper]

People,

Those articles are by Randy Holmes-Farley, the lord of the Chemistry Forum. My articles always start out "Darn Newbies!"

I know it is easy to get us confused but I'm the handsome one.

 

[lilmonster]

Thanks for all the articles, my head hurts now, too much input