| I often see hundreds of threads across dozens of | | | | elements they provide. For instance one type of |
| on-line community sites every month regarding | | | | synthetic salt will have a high calcium and alkalinity |
| water source. What filter type if any, is home | | | | level compared to another type of synthetic salt. |
| supplied tap water safe to use, and a lot more | | | | When you first set up your new saltwater |
| questions on this very important subject as well. I | | | | aquarium these parameters/elements won't be |
| am not an expert on water quality in the home | | | | too much of an issue. Testing for ammonia, nitrite |
| marine aquarium, far from it, I'm still learning | | | | and nitrate is a priority, rather than calcium, |
| myself. Even after more than 2 years | | | | magnesium and alkalinity. When you have decided |
| concentrating purely on reefs and nothing else, | | | | on your type of biotope and are happy to |
| experimenting and getting through dozens of test | | | | commit fully to it, then it's time to work out what |
| kits, I still feel I need to know more about water | | | | the levels will need to be. Obviously it is best to |
| quality. I have learned a lot, but crave far more | | | | try to re-create natural sea water levels so our |
| knowledge. Here is some information for | | | | prized livestock will thrive, but unfortunately our |
| newcomers to the hobby, and this may be the | | | | little glass boxes are nothing like the ocean. The |
| difference between success and failure in my | | | | ocean is a massive volume of water which never |
| view. | | | | gets dirty or suddenly gets saturated with |
| What water source/type for me? | | | | ammonia and of course does not need to be |
| I was personally very confused when I first | | | | replaced regularly. |
| started looking into keeping a reef aquarium. For | | | | Keeping levels stable. |
| years I only kept fish, and when I started | | | | Due to the fact the corals in our tanks will deplete |
| seriously thinking about my future dream SPS | | | | some of the parameter levels, we will need to |
| reef aquarium I wasn't sure where to start. I | | | | replenish these ourselves. Let's assume |
| started reading threads and articles from | | | | hypothetically we have a 75 gallon mixed reef |
| outstanding, knowledgeable reefers such as Eric | | | | aquarium with a mixture of hard and soft corals. |
| Borneman, Randy Holmes-Farley and Tom Murphy | | | | Firstly I would suggest a synthetic reef salt with a |
| just to mention a few. The information these | | | | decent level of magnesium, calcium and alkalinity. |
| very intelligent, successful and almost brilliant | | | | A mix like D&D H20, Red Sea Pro Reef or |
| reefers gave me through their articles and on-line | | | | Tropic Marin Pro Reef would be a good choice. |
| threads was priceless. There was also plenty of | | | | With regular water changes the parameters may |
| other reef aquarists I have not mentioned by | | | | not need much attention. Perhaps dosing |
| name here as well, however at the time I just | | | | occasionally via a 2 part or just kalkwasser may |
| didn't know where to start. I understood, through | | | | be enough to maintain this type of reef with the |
| nearly 30 years experience of keeping and | | | | regular water changes. This would depend of |
| breeding fish, that water quality is absolutely | | | | course on regular testing of parameters via test |
| paramount in success with all types of aquaria. | | | | kits. I personally like Salifert kits, for the home |
| This is certainly the case with keeping marine fish. | | | | hobbyist they are more than adequate to carry |
| I believed I understood the complex make up of | | | | out the task of accurate results. If, however, you |
| the water which needed to be right, or very close | | | | decide to keep a full blown SPS reef, then a |
| to natural sea water levels at the very least for | | | | quality salt and 2 part dosing won't really be |
| the fish to thrive. However, I had no idea just | | | | enough to maintain the reefs parameters. In this |
| how important stability of parameters needed to | | | | case I'd suggest a calcium reactor, as well as |
| be to keep a coral reef. I now realise without a | | | | kalkwasser. A magnesium supplement may also |
| doubt, that a pure water source is totally essential | | | | be required. I would recommend, that for a |
| for success in a marine reef aquarium. From what | | | | complete beginner to a home reef aquarium, a |
| I have personally learned and also what has been | | | | soft or mixed reef aquarium is the best way to |
| confirmed through my bedtime readings written | | | | start off. It is a lot easier to maintain water |
| by others, there are many parameters that need | | | | quality in this type of reef. |
| to be considered. Firstly and importantly it is | | | | Long term success. |
| essential to ensure the water which is added to | | | | From what I have learned to date, it is very |
| the aquarium is totally pure, this can be achieved | | | | important to constantly test parameters and dose |
| by a RO-DI filtration system. I am by no means | | | | accordingly if required, to maintain the levels. It is |
| an expert on these systems; however I have | | | | equally important to replace water regularly to |
| discovered that a system of this type is | | | | ensure pure nutrient free water is added to the |
| absolutely essential if you want to become a | | | | tank. This not only dilutes any nitrate or |
| successful reef aquarist with a stunning show | | | | phosphate in the water stream, it also ensures |
| display tank. This type of water filtration system | | | | nuisance algae cannot get a foot hold in the |
| strips out many harmful chemicals and metals | | | | aquarium. Replacing water also ensures essential |
| which are very dangerous to our marine | | | | elements are replenished. When you purchase |
| invertebrates, and will help the new aquarist to | | | | your RO-DI filtration system make sure you also |
| beat nuisance algae which thrives on nutrient rich | | | | buy a TDS meter. This checks that the filters and |
| water. Unless you can confirm your tap water is | | | | membrane in the system are still working and not |
| nutrient, chemical and metal free, I would suggest | | | | exhausted. Dirty filters will only create problems |
| you do not consider using tap water in your | | | | and it is essential the water added to the |
| system at all. | | | | aquarium is totally pure so you get the best |
| What parameter levels will I need for my reef? | | | | possible start with creating a dream aquarium. |
| Firstly it is essential you decide on what you | | | | There is so much knowledge required to run a |
| intend to keep in your aquarium. This is important | | | | reef aquarium. Water quality alone is just one |
| as you will need to use a synthetic salt mix | | | | factor, however in my opinion it is the absolute |
| powder which will mix with your RO-DI water to | | | | top priority to get success. Obviously flow, |
| create the proper conditions for your intended | | | | biological filtration, heating, salinity levels, lighting |
| stock. If you decide on a soft coral reef then the | | | | and skimming are other factors as well. I intend |
| levels will not need as much attention as a hard | | | | to discuss salinity and actual parameter levels at a |
| coral SPS reef. There are literally dozens of types | | | | later date in a new article. I hope this short writing |
| of synthetic salts available in stores today and | | | | is helpful. |
| most of them are completely different in the | | | | |