Need Help With Water

[christopher]

I am changing my fish only tank into a reef tank and need some help with my water. The tank is a 55gal with a 4.5 DSB of LS, 90lbs LR a small refugiun (ten gallon)with a 3inch DSB of LS and a sump with skimmer in it. I have three powerheads in the tank for circulation controled by a Red Sea Wave Maker, plus the main pump in the sump.
My water tests are:
PH 8.3
NH3/NH4+ 0
NO2 0
NO3 0
ALK 3.09
KH 8.6
PO4 0.10
CA 130
My question is what should I use to get the CA,PO4,KH, and ALK in line. ALK and KH are high. CA is very low, and PO4 is marginial.
Thanks Chris

 

[nacl-h2o]

I would, get a buffer to adjust the KH and Alk and get some Ca in there before you add corals many of which will be picky about water quality and CA level.

 

[jim672]

Phosphate can be reduced by using a phosphate sponge like Phos-gard, available at most LFS.
You can use Kalk-Wasser or a liquid calcium (Kent makes a good one)to increase your calcium level.
Jim

 

[christopher]

I will start tonight with a Kent Kalkwasser make up water system to bring up the CA. What buffer should I use to adjust the KH, and ALK down. What brand PO4 sponge should I use?
Thanks Chris

 

[christopher]

Sorry I missed the PO4 filter in your post .I will try to find Phos-Gurd this weekend. I dont have any corals in the tank yet and will not put anything in until my water is perfect.
Thanks Chris

 

[christopher]

anyone else with ideas, or how to do's need all the help I can get. <img src="graemlins//confused.gif" border="0" alt="[confused]" /> <img src="graemlins//confused.gif" border="0" alt="[confused]" />

 

[nacl-h2o]

I'm sorry, I believe its called Reef Builder and I think seachem makes it. I haven't needed to use it in awhile. You may want to go to a LFS where you can read the lables to make sure.

 

[mini-reefer]

I've been using Kent Marine superbuffer dKH. My pH is 8.3 and alk is around 3.2 meql. HTH
Mini-Reefer