My first Reef / Question

[johngeb]

Hi all,

Ever since I could remember, I always wanted to own a Reef Tank. I finally decided to start with a fresh water tank. (55gal). Then I moved up to a 75 Gal Salt (Fish only), had that for 3 years now. Now I decided that I was ready for the Mini-reef tank.

I started with getting a 20 Gal tank and stand. (Wanted to start small). The tank already has a wet/dry included but I did need to transform the hood to a Power Compact. Added the water and let sit with all the filters, power heads ECT on (added an Elhem 2700). Then after about a week, I order my live rock from TBS. I must say, this rock is beautiful.

After about 5 days, the rock started to die off. I was disappointed . The ammonia spiked so hi it was off the scale. Found that a sponge was dieing off the largest rock. I called up TBS and told them what had happened and they told me that I would be compensated for my loss.

Well, TBS was right, my second shipment was even better then the first and I will post the pic after I finish this. If you ever want good-beautiful live rock, go to TBS, they will make sure you are happy. Anyway, I do have a question on PH, KH. I wanted to make sure I was using the best test kit available, so I purchased the complete Salifert kit along with there KH+PH buffer.

My question is this, If my water KH is 30.4 and ALK is 10.8 and PH is 7.7, and I add the KH+PH buffer, will that raise the KH more, or should I just use my kent marine ph buffer to raise the PH. I'm really new to this KH, ALK ect. I know the PH should be 8.3 ( the ph droped after I put the rock in). can anybody help is this area.

Thanks

John

 

[liquid]

One of the first places I'd direct you to for chemistry-related information is our monthly online magazine: Advanced Aquarist ( http://www.advancedaquarist.com/ ). Check out the article index at http://advancedaquarist.com/index/ and check out the articles by Randy Holmes-Farley in the Chemistry in the Aquarium section. Lots of good info there.

Really, not many reefers pay attention to KH. KH refers to the total hardness of the water and since this is a saltwater aquarium there's definitely going to be a lot of 'hardness' to the water to begin with. dKH refers to alkalinity or the buffering capacity of your water which is completely different than KH. Typically, we look at calcium levels, alkalinity (dKH), pH, and salinity. Once a new tank settles down, there should be no noticeable ammonia, nitrite, or nitrate readings at all.

Typically the only additives I use are kalkwasser for calcium/alkalinity replentishment, and occasional dosing of Kent Superbuffer dKH for maintenance of my alkalinity. Also keep in mind that hobbyist kits that rely on color change for pH measurements aren't as accurate as a good pH meter. Also, pH can nomally fluctuate from 7.7 to 8.2 during a 24 hr period. pH is naturally depressed at night and increases after the lights have been on a bit due to photosynthesis.

Shane

 

[fishfanatic2]

Nice tank! You really got some excellent live rock!!!!!

I know it doesn't matter much now, but i want to point out to you one mistake that you made-you started with a 20 gal.

Small reefs are more difficult to take care of because of their instability. The slightest change can do major damage in such a small system (if you didn't have room for it , well, that's another story).

One of the first things you should do is get rid of the wet/dry. They may take away ammonia and nitrite, but that is what the rock is for. The wet dry will quickly send your nitrates sky-high and that will be poisonous to your reef.

The rock should be expected to die off a bit when you get it, and the spike it ammonia is normal. The smaller the system, the more dangerous the ammonia spike will be.

Good luck!!!
Like liquid said, don't worry about the KH since the Alk is much more important. An Alk level of 10.8 is great.

 

[Anonymous]

Welcome! You have been given great advice so far.
Could you do us a favor and resize your pic to like, 500 in width? It would make it easier to read your posts.

Thanks

:mrgreen:

 

[johngeb]

Sorry about the size. Is ok now?

 

[johngeb]

Thanks for the info everybody !