Question by socutemolly: What water parameter is considered safe for coral and fish and what kind of nutrition for coral?
What do I need test kits for corals?
Best answer:
Answer by reefer150gallon
Kind of in the deep end but just at a glance a superb article on water chemistry on Reef Keeping Magazine
The article may be daunting but its nothing to be worried about.
Ive summarised what kind of kits there are and what you shud buy and the normal mesure you should try to achieve for long term sucess.
Essential
Salinity – Measured with Refractometer (Expensive but more acurate and reliable) or a Hydrometer Salinity 1.026 can be lower if only keeping fish e.g 1.023
Ph – Test Kit Ph 8.3 – 8.4 Should be adjusted with a buffer
Alkalinity – Test Kit 2.5-4 meq/L Helps Keep Ph Stable with buffers
Temp – Digital or Normal Thermometre Reef System 25-26C
Saltwater Fish Only 25-26C
Ammonia – Test Kit Should <0.1 ppm
Nitrate - Test Kit < 0.2 ppm
Nitrite - Test Kit < 0.2 ppm
Ammonia, Nitrate & Nitrite Test Kits are needed when you cycle your tank or start it off in the Nitrogen Cycle
Essential For Keeping Corals
Calcium - Test Kit 380-450 ppm
Alkalinity - Test Kit 2.5-4 meq/L Also helps with skeletal growth
Trace Elements - Not Needed But Advised for longer term sucess many products available mixed suppliments easy to use - Just Add contains Strontium ,Magnesium Iodine etc etc not sumthing ya really shud test individually
In addition you may consider adding trace elements or target feeding individual corals with meaty foods depending on what it is
In Depth Reading Go Here
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php
Also check out www.reefcentral.com very useful join up its free all members with decades of knowledge and experience who more than willing to help ya out step by step about anything no matter how minute it is . Can give ya opinions about your tank what your missing what you got wrong what your doing right all updated regularly.
Most of all take it slow only bad things happen fast in this hobby.
With the inhabitants look at it from the perspecive of if you can keep it happy then purchase it. Do a little research it pays off and saves a lot of money beforehand and stress of loosing fish.
Its may sound like a bit of work but once in a routine there is nothing to it . Having fun is also the most important.
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
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