Water Params

[AndynSarah]

I tested the water and here are my params now Calcium - 440, KH - 10, or 179ppm (however you read it), Nitrates - 10, Phosphates - 0.00, Ammonia - between 0.00 and 0.25ppm (I can never tell with the color change kit if it is 0 or .25), and PH - 8.0.

Are these good parameters for my tank. I know the calcium and KH are good. I am mainly concerned about the nitrates.
Andy

 

[stevensmd]

your nitrates are high...how much do you feed? how often do you perform water changes?
dave

 

[fishdoc11]

IMO that Nitrate reading is kinda high but not really anything to worry about especially if you are just keepimng softies and LPS. FWIW I have had nitrates approaching 10ppm and never noticed a coloration change in my sps. What are your phosphates? Is anything unusual taking place in your tank or are you just trying to get a testing regimen going?
Chris

 

[AndynSarah]

My brain coral had died, so I was testing the water a day after the water change. My phosphates are 0. I need to get into a routine of testing, and I was curious to others opinions on the parameters mainly the nitrates, I have always had nitrates no matter if I water change, or not. I have a reference sheet that says anywhere from 0-20ppm is ok on the nitrates. I was mainly concerned b/c the brain died and I didn't want that to affect the rest of the tank.

 

[cee]

Your nitrates are indeed on the high side, but should not cause any undue harm per say. A clam or refugium would certainly help reduce them, as would other nutrient export mechanisms like frequent water changes, agressive skimming, substrate vacuuming, mechanical filtration with frequent cleanings, etc. However, if you're mainly in keeping softies and LPS, I wouldn't be too concerned. Sps could be a little more touchy, but obviously Chris has had good luck with higher levels and he definately knows what he is doing.

Dave

 

[AndynSarah]

What kind of lighting requirements does a clam need? I have wanted a clam for a long time but was told that they need something like MH's. I have 2 HO T5 24w daylight bulbs 11k I think, and 110w PC Actinics is that good enough for a clam?

 

[cee]

Depends on the clam. Probably not good enough for crocea or maxima, but should be ok for the others.

Dave

 

[AndynSarah]

I take it that all clams would reduce my nitrates then?

 

[cee]

Yes, but with any detectable ammonia and without calcium, magnesium, and alkalinity stability I would not risk it. Also, you'd need to get one large enough to survive from photosynthesis alone. Work on your husbandry first, then do some research on the tridacna forum (don't take my word alone as there are other issues to take into consideration). Also, I reread your lighting setup, and see that you're heavy on actinic, which may not have the PAR necessary for even the less light-demanding clams.

Dave