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