FAQ

How to Maintain Calcium/Magnesium/kH Balance?

The most rapidly consumed minerals in reef aquariums are calcium, carbonate and magnesium. In general, these three values, which are measured by almost every aquarist, must be in balance like the three legs of a table. Carbonate binds to calcium and magnesium. Together they form the alkalinity. The lack of one renders the others dysfunctional. Below you will see the ideal values based on experience and measurements in tropical seas. When adding additives to the aquarium, remember that calcium and carbonate are consumed twenty times faster than magnesium. Therefore, it is calcium and carbonate that should be measured first. When entering the contribution, you must calculate the difference in ppm between the measured value and the target value. For example, if you measure 420ppm of calcium and the target is 430ppm, multiply the difference, 10ppm, by the volume of water. The resulting value will give you the amount you need to add. If you have bought ready-made additives, you should consider the amount written on the label of the manufacturer. In other words, if it is written on the label of the additive that 5 ml adds 10 ppm of calcium to 100 liters of water and your water volume is 250 liters, you need to enter 12.5 ml of additive. The kH measurement is similar. However, the difference is expressed in units of kH, not ppm. For example, if the measured kH is 8 and the target is 9, you must enter enough contribution to raise one kH.
If the calcium supplement you will use is the ones with magnesium and strontium added, this is better. Prefer those containing carbonate and bicarbonate as carbonate additives.
A minor element addition to the reef, including boron, fluorine and iodine, provides vibrant colors for corals and fish.
Things to consider when adding additives to water:
Do not enter kH and calcium-magnesium at the same time. Precipitation happens.
Do not raise more than 1kH in a day. Living things are disturbed.
Do not raise more than 30ppm of calcium and magnesium in a day.
Target values:
Calcium: 430-450ppm
Magnesium: 1350-1380ppm
kH: 9-12

Why is Marine Aquarium Temperature Balance Important?

Since the water temperature in the seas is stable, living things have adapted to this situation. In the tropics, the sea water temperature does not change more than a few degrees throughout the year. Therefore, the aquarium temperature must be stable. If the temperature drops more than 0.5 degrees during the day, it can cause problems for living things. Sudden temperature drop is very effective especially in the formation of white spots. A digital temperature controller to which the aquarium heater will be connected ensures that the temperature is kept constant. When buying such a device, which is also sold as a digital thermostat, it should be noted that the control sensitivity is 0.1 degrees. My preference for thermostat sensitivity is 0.2 degrees. So I keep the temperature between 26.8 and 27.2 degrees. These thermostats should also have a heating-cooling option. Those who prefer fan cooling in summer can use it in cooling mode. Thus, the temperature can be kept constant in summer and winter.

How to Prepare Marine Aquarium Water?

The process of dissolving the salt is important in the setup of a marine aquarium and for water changes. Reef or marine synthetic salts are usually formulated for ro treatment water. The pH value of the carboy water and the minerals it contains can cause the salt to dissolve late. Never use tap water as it contains unwanted substances such as chlorine and silicate. First of all, fill clean water in a plastic bucket and run the flow motor in the lower or middle part. Weigh 33-38 grams of salt per liter of water. This value is determined according to the marine and reef aquarium. Start adding the salt to the water very slowly. So much so that the salt should start to melt before it accumulates too much on the bottom of the bucket. After adding all the salt, the engine should continue to run. By the way, you should use a heater so that the temperature of the water you prepare is the same as the aquarium water. When there is no salt left on the floor, it is necessary to stop the engine and let the water rest for half an hour. Now your sea water is ready.

How Is Activated Carbon Used?

Activated carbon cleans the water from toxins and pollutants. When the odor and color change in the water, it is replaced with a new one. It is used with a net in the flowing part of the water or without a net in a fine-filtered media reactor. Although the usage time varies according to the aquarium live load, a 200 g package will provide sufficient purification for a month in an aquarium up to 500 liters.