Just what does "good water quality" mean?

doodle1800

doodle1800

Active Member
I've been thinking of a green carpet anenome for hosting my tomato clown. One of the statements in the description was it requires good water quality. What exactly does that mean and how does one acquire an excellent water quality? What kind of equipment, length of time tank has been setup, etc...
 
greatfullreefer

greatfullreefer

Active Member
A well established tank in general means at least a year old, excellent water parameters would mean no Ammonia, NitrItes or NitrAtes calcium between 400 and 450ppm Alk 9 - 11 dkh magnesium around 1300, PH stable between 7.8 and 8.4. The reason that they do not fair well in newer tanks is because water perameters will fluctuate. After your tank shows no fluctuation for a 3 - 6 month period then i would say with adaquate lighting 4-6 watts per gallon you may be ready for one.
 
6stokes

6stokes

Member
Good water quality means a lot of things, but here's the most important:
Ammonia- 0
Nitrites- 0
Nitrates- as close to zero as possible
PH- 8.0 to 8.4, key is stability
Specific gravity- 1.022 to 1.024, this depends on temperature and again stability is the key.
dkh- 8 to 12
Calcium- 420 to 430
I'm sure you'll find differences of opinion on these stats, as every system is different, but the most important thing is stability in your numbers.
 
dedwards

dedwards

Member
You can get great water by asking your LFS what to do and then do the complete opposite. :joy: :joy: :D
 
greatfullreefer

greatfullreefer

Active Member

Originally posted by Bang Guy
Good water quality = water as similar as possible to that on a natural reef.

Lol Bang, sometimes you can be so discriptive and precise :D
 
sailfin

sailfin

Member

Originally posted by Bang Guy
Good water quality = water as similar as possible to that on a natural reef.
Which is impossible to recreate.
 
jenn-e

jenn-e

Member
which is impossible to recreate
But that is what all of us are trying to do, so we need to get it as close as "possibe" if we want to be sucessful.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top