Coral Water Chemistry FAQs?

[tkoehler]

All-

I'm getting ready to start my tank off with a few live corals, however, I want to have as much information as possible on the subject. I bought several great books that go into great detail, but I am having a hard time trying to find the overall guidelines needed to have successful thriving corals. I know that each coral has different needs, but are there certain themes that I should be following?

-How much calcium should I have?
-Are too many nitrates bad?
-What pH is the best
(again, I'm just looking for high level water chemistry FAQs)

I bought a great book by Julian Sprung on corals that specifies many of them and their special lighting/food needs, but I still need to get a better understanding of the proper water chemistry for corals.

Is there a good resource for this? Am I completely blind?

Thanks for your help!

Todd

Specs
3.5 Months
-75 gallon
-PC lighting - JBJ Aqua-Lighting
-2" sand bed (going to 4" in time)
-120 #s of LR
-Yellow Tang
-2 Green Chromis
-Wet/Dry Amiracle Model PL-1000
-With Venturi Skimmer
-Pump 2100 (Rio) - Insert comment
-Power Head 400 (Rio) - Insert comment

[TonyHNYC]

Hi!
If you are planning to start keeping corals. you should start something that is hardy (ie, mushrooms, colt, leather, etc.) My calcium stays at 400-450. Nitrates are always zero or neglible range. The pH changes from 7.6(at night) to 8.3 daytime. Good luck...it will definitely be an exciting start

[JohnL]

Hi Todd,

Here are some FAQs that should get you started.

Which books did you get?

BTW, [welcome]

[tkoehler]

JohnL

The book is called "Corals A Quick Reference Guide"
Julian Sprung - Oceangraphic Series
September 1999

It is a great resource with many different species cataloged. It has great pictures along with a very helpful bar chart explaining how much light, waterflow, aggressiveness, and food you need to provide. It also shows you the best placement strategies for each coral. I will feel quite confidant on the maintenance of the coral, but I'm still concerned on knowing the proper water chemistry for corals.?.?

Any other resources you can recommend?

Thanks

Todd

[JohnL]

Originally posted by tkoehler
Any other resources you can recommend?

Here are a couple of books (http://www.reefcentral.com/books/Default.htm) that I like.