10 Gallon Tank: water level question

john thomas · January 14th, 2009

hopefully this will be my last question for all you great people.
10 gal reef tank, just now have live rock in. SG is 1.026.
my question is... my water test kit does not show exact readings for all tests and i like to know what each should read.
so when i take a reading what should the levels read for an ideal tank?

ie/ pH , alk , NH3/nh4+ , NO2 , NO3

and lastly, when i do a 10% water change weekly, should i mix the water/salt in a separate container and measure the sg it that container before i put it in?

thank you again! john

travie · January 14th, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by john thomas

hopefully this will be my last question for all you great people.
10 gal reef tank, just now have live rock in. sg is 1.026.
my question is... my water test kit does not show exact readings for all tests and i like to know what each should read.
so when i take a reading what should the levels read for an ideal tank?

ie/ ph , alk , nh3/nh4+ , no2 , no3

and lastly, when i do a 10% water change weekly, should i mix the water/salt in a separate container and measure the sg it that container before i put it in?

thank you again! john

No need for this to be your last question. pH should read between 8.0 to 8.4 ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate as low as possible (less then 5). I can't remember at the moment for alkalinity.

Add salt to water in a separate container. Measure salinity. When the salinity matches your tanks salinity, add it to your tank. I personally like to mix my SW hours before I plan to add it to my tank, to make sure it is good, mixed, and aerated.

EDIT: Here is a good link with all the level information you requested. Table of desired levels

au01st · January 15th, 2009

Yeah, I try to have my water mixing for at least 12 hours before I add it to the tank as freshly mixed water can be caustic and dangerous for the fish. I try to keep my S.G. at 1.025. Whatever container you're mixing in, make sure it also has a heater in it as most hydrometers are accurate at 75 degrees.

john thomas · January 15th, 2009

thank you, but i can not access the link... do you have a web adress that i can go to directly?

travie · January 15th, 2009

http://www.liveaquaria.com/PIC/article.cfm?aid=89

Try that. If that doesn't work. I will be mad. It has all the information you are asking about.

john thomas · January 16th, 2009

thanks travie, that's what i was looking for!

john thomas · January 16th, 2009

thanks travie! that's what i was looking for!
btw, my live rock is doing great, & i have a small starfish that took a ride on it.

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