Maintaining good water quality is very important to the health of the inhabitants in your tanks. Good water quality means both keeping appropriate levels of essential constituents and minimizing the levels of undesirable substances. Appropriate levels are ones that are the closest to natural seawater. The water quality can be maintained by good filtration, regular water changes and additives.

As a guide, you should aim for the following levels for a tropical reef tank:

	Temperature	26-30°C
	Specific Gravity	1.025-1.0271
	pH	8.0-8.6
	Alkalinity	2.5-5.0 meq/L
	Calcium	350-500 mg/L
	Ammonia	Undetectable
	Nitrite	Undetectable
	Nitrate	Undetectable, but don't sweat on it
	Phosphate	Undetectable, but don't sweat on it
	Iodide	Not worth worrying about
	Strontium	Not worth worrying about
	Magnesium	~1320 mg/L but don't worry too much

Notes:

1. The desired specific gravity will depend on the standard used. See Specific Gravity for more information.

For a discussion on appropriate temperatures and specific gravity for reef tanks see: Reef Temperatures and Salinities by Dr Ron Shimek.

Last updated: May 11, 2003