When it comes to maintaining a healthy and thriving reef aquarium, testing reef parameters is a crucial but often overlooked task. And yes, we understand it is a bit tedious and it needs a little bit of finesse and careful measurements. But why is it so important to regularly monitor these parameters? And how does that help build a successful reef or a saltwater tank?
What is optimal water quality?
While there are varying degrees of conditions that marine creatures can sometimes sustain for a short period of times, they ALL need some basic needs met in terms of water quality. Think about a clownfish which is one of the hardiest of marine fishes and often one of the first fishes that gets added to a reef tank. As you tank is going through its maturity (establishing the biome required to sustain life long term - or sometimes referred to as biological filtration), your tank's parameters are likely fluctuating quite a bit. Clownfish are hardy enough to sustain that for a brief period of times but if you want them to stay thriving in your reef they need "good" water quality. There are about a dozen opinions on optimal parameters are for a reef tank and in all honesty each tank has it's own rhythm so it is inevitable that the parameters vary by setup. But in general, there are some key parameters that everyone needs to pay attention to.
Salinity
In basic terms, Salinity is the measure of dissolved salt in a body of water. Typically all marine creatures need salinity to be within acceptable parameters. Typical salinity of the ocean is 1.026 which is measured in specific gravity which (density relative to pure water - interesting but not important to this conversation). Sometimes also measured in parts per thousand (ppt) (parts of salt per 1000 units of water). An acceptable range of salinity is between 1.025 - 1.027. It is very critical to make sure your salinity does NOT exceed these bounds or health of your marine animals will suffer (they may not die immediately but they may not sustain in those conditions long term). Now imagine what happens during evaporation, salt does not evaporate but water does. So over time through evaporation, the salinity in your tanks is constantly going up. This means that to keep salinity at the right level you need to constantly add pure water or freshwater. We highly recommend ONLY adding RO/DI water as top off water. Some day we will have a whole thread on TDS and making sure that the water in your tank is pure and automating that pesky chore of continuously "topping off" your tank with freshwater.
Testing Salinity is easy. There are many different ways of testing salinity - hydrometers, refractrometers, salinity pen testers and salinity test kits. At Gio Marine, we use many of these instruments and can help you decide on the best ones that could work for your situation.
Alkalinity
Another key parameter that all marine animals specifically need to be in the right range is Alkalinity. Saltwater/Ocean water inherently is alkaline and not acidic. You must have no doubt heard doomsday warnings of rising CO2 levels in the ocean due to green house effects and increasing acidify every so slightly over time that has caused mass bleaching events (please note that there are many other factors responsible for coral bleaching). However, maintaining stable alkalinity in the appropriate range is one of the key factors in health and growth of marine creatures. Alkalinity in sea water helps neutralize acids. It is typically measured in dKH which is a measure of water hardness. Stable alkalinity of 8-12 dKH is required to keep many of the marine creatures in our aquariums.
Over time, marine environments consume alkalinity - even rock/substrate consumes alkalinity not only corals. The easiest way to replace alkalinity in smaller aquariums is through regular water changes. We recommend 10-15 % of water change weekly to maintain the right balance of alkalinity in aquariums. For larger tanks or tanks with heavier bio load, you may need to dose additional alkalinity on top of water changes.
There are several ways to measure alkalinity ranging from simple/easy-to-follow test kits from Salifert, Hanna or Red Sea to automated systems like Neptune Apex, Alkatronic etc. At Gio Marine, we carry a lot of these popular test kits and use automated systems to keep track of alkalinity in our tanks. We can help you choose the right method for you to manage alkalinity in your reef tanks.
Ammonia and Nitrite
You DO NOT want these two elements in your reef. Typically you do not think about this once a tank is fully cycled and there is enough beneficial bacteria in the tank to consume these harmful elements. However, there are several factors that cause spike in these which can be very harmful and potentially deadly for marine creatures. Ammonia and Nitrite spikes can be caused by many factors including but not limited to excess food that is left over after your marine animals have consumed enough or multiple deaths in your tank due to an outbreak or illness etc. Although, no one really tests ammonia or nitrite once the tank is fully cycled, it is important to monitor your marine creatures for sign of stress or investigating issues where there are multiple fishies dying for no apparent reason.
Ph
A high Ph indicates higher alkalinity while low Ph indicates acidic water conditions. It is important to the health of marine environments to have Ph higher than 7 (Ph of 7 is considered neutral). Typical RO/DI water we sell at Gio Marine is at neutral Ph. There are several ways to test for Ph although there are also visual signs of stress in fish or fishes gasping for air at the top of the tank which are clear indicators that the water is too acidic. The easiest way to combat a drop in Ph is through small or even in some cases large water changes. Look for ways to improve Ph by adding oxygen to the tank via air-stones. Please note only use air-stones as a temporary measure but find other ways to increase Ph. We can work with you to help you find more sustainable solutions to increase Ph. There are several way to test for Ph - marine test kits or Ph testing pens. We carry several of these tests in our store and can work with you to identify the best solution for you.
Other elements
There are about a dozen other parameters that are also important to long term health of marine environments. Other key elements that may require occasional testing are Calcium, Magnesium, Nitrate and Phosphate. Apart from these major elements, there are many more minor or trace elements that can only practically be tested using lab grade test kits that allow you to send a sample of your tank water to a lab and these testing labs provide you a comprehensive report of your reef chemistry. At Gio Marine we carry test kits from ATI Aquaristik which is one of the premier labs that provide these services.
Additionally, at Gio Marine, we provide water tests for major elements at a small charge which we highly recommend you take advantage of at least monthly or bi-monthly.
To summarize, testing reef parameters allows aquarists to ensure that the water quality in the aquarium is at optimal levels. Parameters such as pH, salinity, ammonia, nitrite, and alkalinity levels need to be within specific ranges for corals and other marine life to thrive.
Preventing Harmful Conditions
Regular testing helps in identifying any fluctuations or imbalances in the water parameters that could be harmful to the inhabitants of the reef tank. For example, high levels of ammonia or nitrite can be toxic to fish and corals, leading to stress, illness, or even death.
Adjusting Water Chemistry
By monitoring reef parameters, aquarists can make informed decisions about adjusting the water chemistry in the aquarium. Whether it's through water changes, the addition of supplements, or other interventions, testing helps in maintaining a stable and healthy environment for marine life.
Preventing Algae Blooms
Imbalanced reef parameters can also contribute to the growth of nuisance algae in the aquarium. By keeping parameters such as phosphate and nitrate in check, aquarists can prevent algae blooms that can overshadow corals, disrupt the ecosystem, and create an unsightly appearance.
Ensuring Coral Growth
Coral health and growth are directly impacted by the reef parameters in the aquarium. Proper testing and maintenance of parameters such as calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium are essential for promoting coral growth, coloration, and overall vitality.
Monitoring Stability
Consistent testing of reef parameters allows aquarists to monitor the stability of the aquarium environment over time. By keeping track of parameter trends and making adjustments as needed, aquarists can create a more resilient and sustainable reef ecosystem.
In conclusion, testing reef parameters is not just a recommended practice – it is a fundamental aspect of successful reef keeping. By staying diligent in monitoring and maintaining optimal water quality, aquarists can create a thriving reef aquarium that supports the health and well-being of its inhabitants.