New 240 Tank

[KimPossible]

I was taught that the following were the Parameters to Achieve
Ammonia - less thatn .01 ppm
Nitrites - >.1 ppm
NitrAtes - >25ppm
pH - a range between 8.0 and 8.5
Temp - 76-80 degress

I know on the NH3 ,NO2 and NO3 all say 0....but my test kit shows some coloration, thats why I always includ a > (less than symbol)..
JM2CW ~ Kim

[Warnberg]

Thanks Kim,

My Parms right now are as follows:
Ammonia 0 ppm
Nitrites 0 ppm
Nitrates 5 ppm
PH 8.2
SG 1.025
KH/Alk 8.0 dhk or 2.86 meg/L
Temp 80 to 82 (fluctuates through the day)

What else should I be testing now? I tested copper one time just to see if there was anything and there is not. Are there any other test kits I should pickup now in preperation for some sps's (wanna try one see how they do under the T5's)?

Thanks

[cheeks69]

What else should I be testing now?

I'm sure you have the calcium test I would get the phosphate and magnesium test kit and you should be all set unless you dose something else then you would have to get a test for it but IMO that should be all you need.

AFA water parameters and what levels they should be at check out this link-

RHF:

Reef Aquarium Water Parameters

[Woodstock]

Originally Posted by Warnberg

What level is considered normal level for Nitrates? My ammonia is 0 my nitrites are 0 and my Nitates have dropped to 5 ppm so what is considered normal?

10 ppm or less. Your 5ppm is great!

[KimPossible]

What type of test kits give you readings that show 5ppm?
I need one of those!

Duhhh, my new one does....hehe... just got it ...lol!
Aquarium Systems ... well... 10ppm better than my old 25ppm

[Craig Manoukian]

Nitrates at 0 is optimum, but 5ppm is certainly tolerable.

[Warnberg]

Currently this is what I test for or have test kits for:
SG (refractometer), temp, alkalinity, ammonia, copper, nitrate, nitrite, and pH.

Out of these kits rate them from most improtant to least important for SPS corals.
Strontium
Silicate
Phosphate
Magnesium
Iodine
Calcium

Thanks,

[Craig Manoukian]

Calcium, magnesium, and strontium.

[cheeks69]

I say calcium magnesium and phosphate.

RHF:

I do not recommend that aquarists supplement strontium unless they have measured strontium and found it to be depleted to below 5 ppm. Measuring and supplementing strontium is not a critical activity for most aquarists, and is not a trivial exercise since the available test kits can be difficult to use... It is, however, clearly toxic at elevated concentrations

[Warnberg]

Thanks

I have a couple of questions.

1) How are you mounting a frag? I heard superglue gel? I got some frags of Zoo's from a friend and I think they could be mounted on small left over rock that I have (I put the pieces in the sump for about a week now) but just not real sure how to do it.

2) Anemones, how often do they split and is it uncommon for an anemone to split after being in the tank for only a few days.

3) last one, how often do shrimp molt? and is it uncommon for shrimp to molt right after being placed in a new tank?

[Woodstock]

1) It depends on the size/type of the frag... super glue works well on mounting most things but you may need epoxy for the larger LPS/SPS.

2) I have had my RBTA's well over a year and only one has split. I think splitting is a stress response.

3) It seems my 3 skunks molt about every 2 weeks?

HTH

[Warnberg]

thanks Woodstock....

It seems my peppermint shrimp have molted after being in the tank just a few days and the White Sebae Anemone has split but can't tell quite yet, this guy likes to huddle down under an overhang in the rocks and I think there are two mouths now but cant really tell. I'll try to get a pic... oh and my cleaner seems to like the Anemone... go figure the clowns have no interest and the cleaner shrimp hangs out by it....

[Craig Manoukian]

It may take up to a couple of months before the Clowns exhibit enough interest in the host. How many and what type of clowns do you have?

[cheeks69]

White Sebae Anemone has split but can't tell quite yet

I'll have to look that up I didn't think they could reproduce asexually.

[Warnberg]

I have two tank raised ocellaris clowns thus far... I am planning on 4 total, but these two act like they have the whole ocean to themselves in this 240....