how to ensure correct measurement of water parameters?

How can i improve my water parameters?

setting up a new tank. What is most important?

Tip

Before you think about how to reduce one of this values, you should check salinity. Salinity has direct influence also on concentration of Calcium, Magnesium as well as Alkalinity/Carbonate hardness.

Concentration of Ca/Alk/Mg can be raised by adding chemicals, but cannot be reduced easily! If your values are to high, you can use one or more of these options:

• Wait until values go down by themselves. (Depending from the amount and consumption of your tanks invertebrates, this will take only a short time or even longer)
• Reduce values by doing a water change with a salt mixture that has a low on concentration of these trace elements. (therefore see table with measured results of sea salt mixes available in „Adjust salt concentration”)

If Ca is to high and Alkalinity to low

Don’t raise Ca anymore but raise Alkalinity by adding NaHCO3 (NatriumHydrogenCarbonates). This will precipitate odd Calcium as CalciumCarbonates.

Control and maybe clean your pumps afterwards (risk of damage by adhering lime)

If Alkalinity is to high and Ca to low

Don’t raise Alkalinity anymore, but raise Calcium by adding CaCl2 2xH20 (CalciumChlorid DiHydrat). This will precipitate odd Carbonates as CalciumCarbonates.

Control and maybe clean your pumps afterwards (risk of damage by adhering lime)