When to retest water

[Zoaelite]

Depends on your turn over, usually after 30 mins you should be good to retest your parameters.

[reefwars]

would also add its good to test before and after.what are you using for additives??

[linz8392]

i normally dont use additives. i tested my water today with a brand new Seachem kit for Magnesium and Calcium and both are down a bit...

Calcium = around 280

Magnesium = 900

So i added Seachem Magnesion and Seachem Reef Advantage Calcium raiser.

Later on i'll test again and then maybe Monday add again to slowly raise them.

Correct? Or is my thinking wrong?

[reefwars]

Originally Posted by linz8392

i normally dont use additives. i tested my water today with a brand new Seachem kit for Magnesium and Calcium and both are down a bit...

Calcium = around 280

Magnesium = 900

So i added Seachem Magnesion and Seachem Reef Advantage Calcium raiser.

Later on i'll test again and then maybe Monday add again to slowly raise them.

Correct? Or is my thinking wrong?

thats fine, im not familiar with seachem products but your on the right track just be sure to monitor your alk as welll.when dosing calcium(liquid calcium additive right??) make sure to test for alk as one effects the other.and dont dose too much in one dose do it gradually over a few days


do you have corals in your tank?

[linz8392]

I tested Alk last night....

4 meg/L = 11.2 dKH

So according to what i read it's within specs of where it should be.

Yeah that's why im skipping a day to add more additives.

My Calcium additive is a powder that i premix in freshwater then add to the sump.

Why, do you think a liquid Calcium additive is better?

[linz8392]

also i have corals yes

[reefwars]

Originally Posted by linz8392

I tested Alk last night....

4 meg/L = 11.2 dKH

So according to what i read it's within specs of where it should be.

Yeah that's why im skipping a day to add more additives.

My Calcium additive is a powder that i premix in freshwater then add to the sump.

Why, do you think a liquid Calcium additive is better?

no not really in fact its alot more expensive, i prefer to use a kalk drip for calcium.alk is a bit high as well its not horribly high but its border line high.heres a very very good read on parameters should have all the info you need

i keep my tank at


cal: 420-440
alk: 7-8
mg: 1300


this is just me though not in anyway a must have find out what works best for your tank. remember the " big three" are linked together so raising one effects the other.alot of people start with alk as there starting grounds for dosing


heres the link

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

[linz8392]

ok thanks it IS a good link

i'll do an water change today too...maybe a couple of 5 gallon pails and see if my alk comes down a bit.