Levels?

[ReefRich]

Where can I get a chart or list that will tell me what levels things should be in my reef tank...

I have .2 ppm phosohate but dont know if that's good or not?


Also would like to know where all the other levels should be? Iodine, mag etc?


Thanks
Rich

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Phosphate should be lower than that, IMO. Somthing like less than 0.05 ppm if you have any hard corals or coralline algae. This article discusses phosphate issues:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/sept2002/chem.htm

Here are some other reecommended levels:

Calcium 380-450 ppm
Alkalinity 2.5-4 meq/l (7-11 dKH)

Higher of either of these is OK as long as the other is not too low

Magnesium 1300 ppm
Iodine, don't worry about it

You can find detailed discussion of these and other chemicals in the links provided here:

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=102605