Melev's Reef Parameters
| Test Type |
Recommended Parameters matching Natural
Sea Water (NSW) |
| pH |
7.9 to 8.3 - this varies from tank to tank; testing with a Pinpoint
Meter is best |
| Temperature |
78° F to 84° F - average reef temperature tends to be
81° F |
| Alkalinity |
8 to 11 dKH -or- 2.86 to 3.89 meq/L |
| Calcium |
390 to 450 ppm |
| Magnesium |
1350 - 1400 ppm (or 3x Calcium levels) |
| Phosphate |
.03 ppm - leading cause of nuisance algae in your tank: click
for article |
| Ammonia |
0 - anything higher is toxic |
| Nitrite |
0 - anything higher is toxic |
| Nitrate |
10 ppm or less - huge water changes bring down nitrates: click
for article |
Readings were taken at various times, and are documented here to allow you
to see how parameters vary.
2004*
* Both reef tanks were upgraded to a 280g during this year.
2003
Blank entries were not taken, for whatever reason. Certain tests are ignored,
such as Ammonia because they typically result in 0.
