New tank setup help?

fishguy29 · #1 03-22-2009, 08:30 PM

Hi there. My tank has cycled and i just added 2 clown fish to my tank. My tank size is 66 - 67 gallon. I'm showing good readings for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and PH is 8.2 or 8.3. I'm just wondering about my KH (alkalinty) which is showing alittle high. I'm getting a 130 reading and my test kit says anything over 125 consult with a aquarium specialist. Is this going to harm my clown fish (tank bred)? Also, I have fiji cured live rock which has some green hair like algae on it (or so i think thats what it is). There is a bit of it and it was on my live rock since i got it and i'm wondering is this a problem i need to worry about? Also, brown stuff showed up all over my rock a couple days before i bought my clowns last night and i'm just curious will this hurt them? Any help on this would be greatly appreciated,

Thanks
Chris

xtreme · #2 03-22-2009, 08:47 PM

130 ppm is equal to about 7 - 7.5 kH, which is about right where you want to be.

tharkema · #3 03-22-2009, 08:54 PM

I think I have the same test kit as you... Hagen. They recommend a really low level for KH but most people keep it at a higher level then what they recommend. Here is a calculator I have found that has helped me out a lot...

http://www.saltyzoo.com/SaltyCalcs/AlkConv.php

hope this helps you and all the best on your new setup!

Myka · #4 03-22-2009, 09:36 PM

130 ppm is on the bottom of what I would reccommend. Most people understand alkalinity when measured in degrees of carbonate hardness or dKH even though there are several units to measure it in. I prefer to have my alk around 9-9.5 dKH.

Take a read through the guides in my signature on hair algae and chemicals. They should help answer a lot of your questions.