Target levels for Mag, Alk, and Ca? Softy and LPS Reef

[DOJOLOACH]

It was recommended to me to keep my element levels, temp, salinity etc. as consistent as possible.

 

What should my target levels be?

I keep Acans, Favia, Zoa's, Hammers, GSP, and Mushrooms

[ReefGoat]

While it is good to keep your levels consistent always. I think you're dealing with some more forgiving corals there. 

[ReefGoat]

The regular levels should be fine. Nothing special. I would say anywhere between 78-80 degrees, 1.025 salinity, calcium 460, mag 1380, Alk around 7-9. Phosphates around .02 

If you use good salt mix and starting water you'll be replenishing everything you need with weekly water changes. 

[DOJOLOACH]

Yes, but wouldn't certain nutrient levels be beneficial to faster growth? 

 

My Acan is dieing and withdrawing into its skeleton structure.

 

None of my water parameters were ever consistent which I think may be the culprit, but here are my new levels just after a large water change. It was recommended to lower my temp from 83 to 77-79 and bump my Salinity from 33 to 35

 

Cal: 450

Mag: 1350

Alk: 8.6

Ph: 8.4

Salinity: 35

Temperature: 79.5F

[DOJOLOACH]

3 minutes ago, ReefGoat said:

The regular levels should be fine. Nothing special. I would say anywhere between 78-80 degrees, 1.025 salinity, calcium 460, mag 1380, Alk around 7-9. Phosphates around .02 

If you use good salt mix and starting water you'll be replenishing everything you need with weekly water changes. 

Okay Thanks Goat. Yeah I use some good reef crystals by RedSea.

[ReefGoat]

What light are you using and where are your Acans placed? 

 

[DOJOLOACH]

I'm using a Fluval Evo 13.5 Stock light, I have it placed 5" below the surface and fairly centered under the light.

 

I also just placed a frag rack in the tank 5" under the light. which has all the other soft corals I have except the hammers and GSP

[ReefGoat]

I'm not familiar with that lights strength. 

[A Little Blue]

22 minutes ago, DOJOLOACH said:

Yes, but wouldn't certain nutrient levels be beneficial to faster growth? 

 

My Acan is dieing and withdrawing into its skeleton structure.

 

None of my water parameters were ever consistent which I think may be the culprit, but here are my new levels just after a large water change. It was recommended to lower my temp from 83 to 77-79 and bump my Salinity from 33 to 35

 

Cal: 450

Mag: 1350

Alk: 8.6

Ph: 8.4

Salinity: 35

Temperature: 79.5F

If you keep your tank somewhat stable within this range, you will be able to grow just about anything (as long as you have a good light source). 

[DOJOLOACH]

It looks like there is anywhere from 150-200 Par where the acan and other corals are sitting. I believe it is a 10K

 

[specore]

150-200 par is probably on the higher side for acans. 

 

Your other parameters shouldn't be an issue, so I would suggest moving them around until you find a spot where they a happy with flow and lighting.  

9 minutes ago, DOJOLOACH said:

It looks like there is anywhere from 150-200 Par where the acan and other corals are sitting. I believe it is a 10K

 

 

[hersheyb]

u mentioned your tank has been lacking stability, you might want to fix that first.  You have pretty easy corals so parameters can be flexible.  Stability is the key. 

[Clown79]

Your target levels are usually what your salt mixes at.

 

So you really need to test the tank after a waterchange. These are your target numbers(should be close to what your salt mixes at)

 

And every day for a week 

 

Testing alk and ca every day will determine your ranks consumption and if you need to dose and how much to dose.

 

 

Fluctuations in alk is a cause for decline in lps.

Acans also do best when fed at least 1 time a week.

[DOJOLOACH]

These numbers are what the tank was at just after a 40% WC, I'll aim to keep the tank stable at this temperature and salinity.

Cal: 450

Mag: 1350

Alk: 8.6

Ph: 8.4

Salinity: 35

Temperature: 79.5F

 

I'll keep logging what I find this week and report back! I also moved my acan to the sand and gave him some food.

[A Little Blue]

1 minute ago, DOJOLOACH said:

These numbers are what the tank was at just after a 40% WC, I'll aim to keep the tank stable at this temperature and salinity.

Cal: 450

Mag: 1350

Alk: 8.6

Ph: 8.4

Salinity: 35

Temperature: 79.5F

 

I'll keep logging what I find this week and report back! I also moved my acan to the sand and gave him some food.

Salinity, temp & alk. 

[DOJOLOACH]

Ok.. here are my rates of consumption over the week... not much. Maybe there isn't much consumption because the corals are not used to a stable environment and therefore havenot been growing like I would like.

 

Date:	31-Jul	31-Jul	1-Aug	1-Aug	2-Aug	3-Aug	4-Aug	5-Aug	6-Aug
Before/After Water Change	Before	After	After	None	None	None	None	None	None
Calcium	400	425	450	450	450	450	450	450	450
Magnesium	1140	1290	1350	1350	1350	1350	1350	1350	1350
Alkalinity	8.2	8.6	8.6	8.6	8.6	8.6	8.6	8.6	8.6
Amonia PPM	1	0.25	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Nitrite PPM	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Nitrate PPM	30	15	5	5	5	5	10	10	10
Ph	8	7.4	8.4	8	8	8	8	8	8
Salinity	32	33	36	35	35	35	35	35	35
Temperature	80	83.7	79.5	80	80	80	80	80	80

[paneubert]

I have this chart saved since it is fun to reference both what we are "supposed to" shoot for, as well as what natural sea water is usually at.

 

Parameter:	Reef Aquaria Recommendation:	Typical Surface Ocean Value:1
Calcium	380-450 ppm	420 ppm
Alkalinity	2.5-4 meq/L 7-11 dKH 125-200 ppm CaCO3 equivalents	2.5 meq/L 7 dKH 125 ppm CaCO3 equivalents
Salinity	35 ppt sg = 1.026	34-36 ppt sg = 1.025-1.027
Temperature	76-83° F	Variable2
pH	7.8-8.5 OK 8.1-8.3 is better	8.0-8.3 (can be lower or higher in lagoons)
Magnesium	1250-1350 ppm	1280 ppm
Phosphate	< 0.03 ppm	0.005 ppm
Ammonia	<0.1 ppm	Variable (typically <0.1 ppm)