Ideal water parameters?

75Gallons · #1 09/03/2007, 11:28 AM

What are the ideal water parameters? When is a water change necessary? I'm about 5 days into a cycle and this is what I have so far time for a change what %? I know my pH and salanity are low.
9/3/07 Water Parameters
Nitrate 0-5ppm
Nitrite 0 ppm
Ammonia 0.50 ppm
pH 7.8
Specific Gravity 1.021

Travis L. Stevens · #2 09/03/2007, 11:31 AM

Two times a month of 10% water changes is good for maintenance. 20% or more good for correcting problems. As far as water paramters go, I wouldn't worry too much about it. They are going to fluctuate drastically until your cycle finishes. On the other hand, I would increase the specific gravity to 1.025-1.026. All the other parameters, don't worry until after the cycle. After the cycle, do a large water change and see where you stand. Here is a great article on water parameters: http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

75Gallons · #3 09/03/2007, 11:32 AM

Thanks a lot this is really helpful.

burris · #4 09/03/2007, 12:56 PM

I wouldn't even worry about NO2/NO3/NH3/pH. Just be patient and give your tank plenty of time to stabilize before and during livestock addition.

rbursek · #5 09/03/2007, 03:45 PM

For the future, if you have a reef and fish, not a fish only tank, the higher your SG the more salt and this is the important note, the more trace element concentration that is in your salt will be in your water for your reef. I do a 20% change every 2 weeks for my reef, I dropped off to every 3 weeks, and I notice a decline and went back to 2, fish were fine, LPS and SPS were the decline, all else params were consistent.
Bob