Water values

Constant and good water values are important for keeping stony corals and for their full coloration. The most important parameters can be determined at home using tritation tests. I measure KH every 2-3 days and calcium, magnesium, nitrate, phosphate and check the density once a week. To determine the other values, I send water to the ICP analysis to Fauna Marin.

Water values measurable by droplet test are aimed for as follows:

Nutrients

Nitrate3mg/l
Phosphate0.03mg/l

Bulk elements

KH7°dH
Calcium425mg/l
Magnesium1350mg/l

Courtesy of Fauna Marin:
The recommendation for the quantities of elements after measurement via ICP:

Macroelements, calcium household elements (Mg, Ca, Sr) and halogens (Br, F, I)
in mg/liter (1 mg = 0.001 g)

Sodium9500 - 10700 - 11500
Sulphur850 - 900 - 950
Potassium380 - 395 - 420
Boron3,8 - 4,5 - 5,5
Magnesium1200 - 1350 - 1450
Calcium400 - 425 - 440
Strontium6,5 -  8 - 9
Iodine0,055 - 0,065 - 0,08
Bromine55 - 67 - 75

Physiologically relevant trace substances and color-relevant micronutrients in µg/liter (1 µg = 0.000001 g)

Zinc 3 - 8
Vanadium 2 - 10
Copper 2 - 6
Nickel 3 - 6
Manganese 0,10 - 0,25
Molybdenum 10 - 20
Iron 0,05 - 2,5
Chrome 0,05 - 2,3
Cobalt 0,02 - 1,9

Macronutrients in mg/liter (1 mg = 0.001 g)

Phosphate 0,02 - 0,10
Silicon 0,1 - 0,2

Other trace elements and potential contaminants in µg/liter (1 µg = 0.000001 g)

Lithium 180 - 350
Barium 20 - 50
Aluminum 5 - 30
Antimony < 10
Tin < 10
Beryllium 0,1 - 1,4
Selenium 0,9 - 5,5
silver < 10
Tungsten < 30
Lanthanum 2 - 10
Titanium 0,5 - 3,5
Scandium 0,1 - 1,0
Zirconium 1,0 - 2,2
Arsenic < 1
Cadmium < 1