Reef Chemistry for the Beginner

Woodstock · 03-25-2007, 04:27 AM

The “How To” Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners,
Part 1: The Salt Water Itself

Quote:

This article is the first in a series that deals with coral reef aquarium chemistry issues on a basic and practical level. Its primary purpose is to get new aquarists to focus on those aspects of reef aquarium chemistry that are truly important, instead of on those that are not. New aquarists are bombarded with a huge assortment of issues and opinions relating to aquarium husbandry practices, and none seems to cause more anxiety than chemistry issues. Some of these issues are actually very complicated, and the answers to many questions are simply not known. Fortunately for hobbyists, knowing the answers to these questions is rarely important to keeping a wonderful reef aquarium. Those issues that are important to understand are much more straightforward and can be solved without excessive anxiety.

saltwaterfarm · 03-25-2007, 10:40 AM

Great info... should be a "sticky"!

Woodstock · 03-25-2007, 10:48 AM

Yep, I made it a sticky when I created it thanks to Boomer's suggestion. It is packed with great info!!

blue_eyes53813 · 03-25-2007, 11:16 AM

Good Idea

Wooden Harpoon · 10-31-2007, 09:07 AM

This article is an excellent reference. Thanks!
Also, I was wondering what device someone could reccomend. I currently use a swingarm hydrometer made by Coral Sea. It sounds like this might be an inaccurate device. Should I use a different piece of equipment?

mps9506 · 10-31-2007, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wooden Harpoon

This article is an excellent reference. Thanks!
Also, I was wondering what device someone could reccomend. I currently use a swingarm hydrometer made by Coral Sea. It sounds like this might be an inaccurate device. Should I use a different piece of equipment?

I've been using a $50 refractometer from Premium Aquatics for 7 years no. Still works good as new with the occasional re calibration to keep it accurate. Although it doesn't seem to go to far out of line.
You should be able to find a decent one in the $040-$50 price range.

Boomer · 10-31-2007, 01:24 PM

The Coral Life Deep Six Swing arm is a terrible devie. If you want a swing arm get the SeaTest, Instant Ocean. In the long run you would be better off with the refract sold by thefilterguys or Foster and Smith. You will then need to get some PinPiont 53mS calibration solution. This refract is not all over the place from batch to batch like the other cheap ones. Or a Tropic Marine Hydrometer, 100 % accuratre always, no skewing, no off-set, no calibration or testing needed

Hydrometers - Measure your marine aquarium's salt level and specific gravity

Refractometers

Vital Sine Refractometer

JP 1230 · 03-11-2008, 10:34 PM

I bet I would have spent a lot less money when starting if I had taken the time to read a bit.

lcstorc · 03-11-2008, 10:46 PM

Wouldn't we all.

Dentoid · 03-11-2008, 10:52 PM

I hear ya!

rbursek · 03-11-2008, 11:28 PM

Spend the 40-50$ for a refactometer, and do no believe hhat you here about calibrating to .zero with pure water, distilled! 2 liter coke bottle filled to the top, pour into a larger container, add 1/4 Mortons iodised salt plus 1 tsp salt mix, then adjust to 1.026/35pmm on the refactometer, per Dr, Randy Holmes-Farley. the Guru of reef chemistry on Reef Central!!!!!!!!!!!!

rbursek · 03-12-2008, 02:03 AM

That is 1/4cup+1tsp salt. not Kosher. but iodise Mortons and calibrate to 1.026/35ptm !!!!!!!

03-25-2007, 10:40 AM	#2 (permalink)
saltwaterfarm Manta Ray Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 3,222 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Reef Chemistry for the Beginner Great info... should be a "sticky"! __________________ Lisa 90 Gal AGA, DIY Sump/Fuge, Current Outer Orbit 250w MH's with T5's. AquaC Remora Pro Skimmer, RK2.[/font] Purple LTA, pair of Percula Clowns, Clams, Softies, Shrooms, Ricordea, Echinophyllia, Torch, Frogspawn, Blastos, Sponges, Acro, Wellso, the NEW Zoa Mountain, and some more stuff... 3 Gal Sexy Shrimp Pico. 29 Gal Oceanic BioCube, Current Sunpod 150w MH.

03-25-2007, 10:48 AM	#3 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 25,500 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Reef Chemistry for the Beginner Yep, I made it a sticky when I created it thanks to Boomer's suggestion. It is packed with great info!! __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* *My Victorious Battle with ICH* 120 Reef Chronicle ~ *Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* *Massive 300 gal growout~* *My Anemone & Picasso Tank ~* *Picasso & Snowcasso for sale~* "Energy and persistance conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________

03-25-2007, 11:16 AM	#4 (permalink)
blue_eyes53813 Hey!Its not my fault Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lancaster, Wisconsin Posts: 8,024 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Reef Chemistry for the Beginner Good Idea __________________ 265 Gallon Reef built into basement wall. Lighting = 6x250 watts MH, 2x96 watt PC ,and 2x140 watt VHO for a total watt of 1,972 watts . New addition on 4-14-07 of 100 gallon sump and 100 gallon refugium. I think I have lost my mind. Gotta love this hobby Vicki Life is like a pathway of untrodden snow. Be careful how you step in it for every mark will show Definition of FRIENDSHIP: All lives touch other lives to create something new and alive My tank chronicles. http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...wall-reef.html

10-31-2007, 09:07 AM	#5 (permalink)
Wooden Harpoon Star Polyps Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 171 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Reef Chemistry for the Beginner This article is an excellent reference. Thanks! Also, I was wondering what device someone could reccomend. I currently use a swingarm hydrometer made by Coral Sea. It sounds like this might be an inaccurate device. Should I use a different piece of equipment? __________________ The more I see the less I know! Back and more humbled about the world of reef keeping.

10-31-2007, 01:24 PM	#7 (permalink)
Boomer Reef Sanctuary's Mr. Wizard Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Duluth, Minnesota Posts: 2,607 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Reef Chemistry for the Beginner The Coral Life Deep Six Swing arm is a terrible devie. If you want a swing arm get the SeaTest, Instant Ocean. In the long run you would be better off with the refract sold by thefilterguys or Foster and Smith. You will then need to get some PinPiont 53mS calibration solution. This refract is not all over the place from batch to batch like the other cheap ones. Or a Tropic Marine Hydrometer, 100 % accuratre always, no skewing, no off-set, no calibration or testing needed Hydrometers - Measure your marine aquarium's salt level and specific gravity Refractometers Vital Sine Refractometer __________________ Boomer Want to Talk Chemistry ! The Reef Chemistry Forum Want to See More ! The Coral Realm If you See Me Running You Better Catch-Up An explosion can be defined as a loud noise, accompanied by the sudden going away of things, from a place where they use to be.

03-11-2008, 10:34 PM	#8 (permalink)
JP 1230 Fire Coral Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Flagstaff, AZ Posts: 64 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Reef Chemistry for the Beginner I bet I would have spent a lot less money when starting if I had taken the time to read a bit.

03-11-2008, 10:46 PM	#9 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 26,433 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Reef Chemistry for the Beginner Wouldn't we all. __________________ Peace LYNN Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Lynn's frag tank experiment A reef tank is like a race car. The faster you go the harder you crash.

03-11-2008, 11:28 PM	#11 (permalink)
rbursek Elegance coral Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Germantown, Milw, WI area suburb Posts: 1,183 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Reef Chemistry for the Beginner Spend the 40-50$ for a refactometer, and do no believe hhat you here about calibrating to .zero with pure water, distilled! 2 liter coke bottle filled to the top, pour into a larger container, add 1/4 Mortons iodised salt plus 1 tsp salt mix, then adjust to 1.026/35pmm on the refactometer, per Dr, Randy Holmes-Farley. the Guru of reef chemistry on Reef Central!!!!!!!!!!!! __________________ Bob The difference between a Reef tank and a money shredder is the Tank will trip the GFI! 120gal tank, 30gal fuge/sump, 2 250w MH, 2 96w Actinics, SPS's, LPS's, fish. http://s247.photobucket.com/albums/gg138/rbursek/

03-12-2008, 02:03 AM	#12 (permalink)
rbursek Elegance coral Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Germantown, Milw, WI area suburb Posts: 1,183 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Reef Chemistry for the Beginner That is 1/4cup+1tsp salt. not Kosher. but iodise Mortons and calibrate to 1.026/35ptm !!!!!!! __________________ Bob The difference between a Reef tank and a money shredder is the Tank will trip the GFI! 120gal tank, 30gal fuge/sump, 2 250w MH, 2 96w Actinics, SPS's, LPS's, fish. http://s247.photobucket.com/albums/gg138/rbursek/

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