Reef newbie help please

[RyanE]

My setup.
55g tank
2 inches Argo sand
50lbs live rock
Instant ocean salt
2x 250w mh. 14,000 k
2x 54w acintic t5
Three stage ro water.

My test results
No3 0ppm
Po4 0-.04. Can't tell colors very similar
Alk. 3 meq/l. 8.4 DKH*
Magnesium 1400
Calcium. 350ppm
Salinity 1.026
Temp 79.2
Ph 8.4

Tank set up three months.
Ca dropped from 410 to 350..
Please help. What do I need to buy/add
And how much.

 

[hilgert]

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/reef-calculator

 

[RyanE]

Thanks. That will be very helpful
So all I need to fix is low calcium?
Is there anything I need to test for that I did not list?
Tank will have no fish btw

 

[hilgert]

Check alk every few days, calcium every weekor so (except when adding calcium...then test daily until you are at your target), and magnesium very infrequently (once in balance). In the beginning you will need to test frequently to determine usage rate, then use a balanced addition scheme which will keep alk and calcium in balance. BRS (the link I provided) is where I would get my stuff...I like the 2-part solution.

Read this: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm

Then read this: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

 

[RyanE]

Thanks for the link. Had fowlr tank nine years.
Fish passed due to diseased tang from petco.
This is my first go at coral and think it will be easier w no fish

I briefly skimmed that first article. Before I crash, but it appears
To be very detailed and shows all the diff ways to adjust Alk/cal
I will spend some time digesting this Tom.
Thank you, I appreciate your help and time spent.

 

[hilgert]

Where are you located? Is there a reef club near you?

 

[fishpoop]

Also if you're not, using reef salt rather than standard salt mix can help with your Ca, alk and other levels.

 

[bertoni]

Many tanks require daily alkalinity and calcium dosing. A 2-part is an easy way to get going. For now, some calcium chloride, like Kent Turbo Calcium, will be fine for fixing the calcium level.

 

[RyanE]

i have no clue if there is a club near me.
ive read a ton about keeping a reef, but not in the last five years so alot of things have changed.
i am in south central indiana. near Columbus.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

This may be a good place to start to sort through what is needed:

The “How To” Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners, Part 2: What Chemicals Must be Supplemented
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-04/rhf/index.php

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

duplicate

 

[kgross]

Randy are you just trying to increase your post count more with all your duplicate posts.... shame on you...

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Yes, that's the plan.

 

[kgross]

You want to be the first to 100,000 posts!!!!

Sorry I just couldn't resist....

 

[bertoni]

duplicate

 

[bertoni]

Two can play at that game.

 

[kgross]

I don't think you are going to catch up Jon.... Not without a lot more of those dups....

 

[hilgert]

RyanE, how are things working out for you? What did you finally end up doing?

 

[RyanE]

well i bought the liquid calcium and have been dosing, a bit above the instructions.
calcium came up to 380 so far.
per those links.. one of them had a calculator and at my alk my ca should be at 425.
so im going to get it to 425 and then decide what kind of balanced thing i need to dose.

ordered a new ph meter. should be in tom. those liquid color matching tests are just to hard to read unless the graduation of the scale is very small.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

You can boost faster, based on the calculated amount. Maybe 25-50 ppm per day if needed.

Calculator
http://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chemcalc.html