So Confused

Oklahomareefer

Oklahomareefer

New member
I decided that today would be my day to do online research about reef keeping so that I might be able to do a better job with my nano. I am trying to read about the basics on the chemistry. I dont understand calcium, alkalinity, mag, ammonia, nitrite, nirate, or any of the other chemicals that I am supposed to be testing for. I feel like I am reading the same subject just different views from different people. I don't know who to listen to at this point. i know that everyone is going to have their own take on reef keeping and what has worked for them. I just want to know the true basic necessary things for proper reef keeping. I have so many different people telling me different things but dont know who to listen to. Just because something worked for one person does not make the other ones the wrong way if it did indeed work for them. Sorry to ramble on about this but I am just confused and dont know where to go with my research. I did not know I was going to have to become a marine Biologist to keep a reef tank lol. Does anyone know of any GOOD books or reference material that I can read to help me please? I am tired of arguing with my husband over who is right and who is wrong.
 
The COMAS library has a huge selection of the material you are looking for, books, dvds, ect.

I wouldn't fret too much, there are some simple basics to learn, after that, it does get a little easier.
 
Read the articles by Randy Holmes Farley to be found at Reefkeeping.com

That will give youba good start.

Paul
 
The book I started with was The New Marine Aquarium. I would also recommend The Conscientious Marine Aquarist for general info...IMO
 
all will turn out good just give it time patients is the key to this hobby and testing your tanks parameters regularly. i use red sea pro salt which levels thing to where they need to be, i do a 10% water change on my 140Xvolume and on my 55gfrag tank weekly and i have done so for years with great success.since you dont have many corals you wont have massive chemical depletion. learn from others i have learned many things from this site read,read, and read some more you will start to understand just be patient
 
fish77 said:
I would also recommend The Conscientious Marine Aquarist for general info...IMO
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I would second this as a good book to start with. I think there is a copy of this book in the club library. If not, it's pretty common to be for sale at one of the online retailers. I still refer to my copy from time to time.
 
Just did another parameter test before lights out and here are the results

Temp 79.9 ( turning down heater)
Salinity 1.025
pH 8.0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0
Ammonia 0

I have never seen a spike in my results but nor have I checked them everyday. Did I miss my cycle or am I not getting proper readings? Confusing
 
Very few people know the chemistry of the aquarium when they start.

You have to remember you haven't been at this very long.

The information, you will pick up over-- bits and pieces over time.

When I started, I read on RC, posted questions (fearing the same things you did), found a few people to talk to and kept going. I had found something I really liked and couldn't quit-- but I was so ignorant.

Today you have to know how to read the thermometer, check that the lights are on, and read a refractomoter to mix salt for 10% water change at least every other week.

Next will be learning to read test kits for Ph, amonia, nitrite, nitrate (which I believe you can already do)

If you are doing frequent water changes, you can worry about alk/calc/mag a bit later.
 
kadence696 said:
looks good ph and dkh are the same thing ph/dkh should be 10 but 8.5 will not kill things
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Ok but I have had my zoo's and polyps and mushrooms in my tank for about three weeks and the pH has been between 7.8 to 8.4 but mostly it has stayed at 7.8 and they are growing really well and looking great so that I think is what is making this so confusing
 
most softies are very hardy that is why they are considered beginner corals, very forgiving. continue to learn and your tank will be a great addition to your home or office
 
So should I go ahead and add a alk test kit to what I test for now? I dont mind having another test as long as I really need to test for it. I just dont want to purchase something I really dont need.

Hopefully this will be my last post for today lol
 
Oklahomareefer said:
So should I go ahead and add a alk test kit to what I test for now? I dont mind having another test as long as I really need to test for it. I just dont want to purchase something I really dont need.

Hopefully this will be my last post for today lol
Click to expand...

most definately! one of the most important when keeping a reef tank. all good advise above. Good luck!
 
i can not answer which is best because i have a very good customer relationship with wet pets by steve and have them do my test for me. saves me money instead of spending it on test kits. Some say to test yourself but hey each to his or her own.
 
I know where we pets is. I work not to far from there and went in and checked them out not to long ago. How much water do you need to take for them to test? I may do that while I wait for my test to come
 
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