In a previous article, I covered the definition of nutrients in a reef as well covering basic control techniques. Here I will try to explain advanced techniques to deal with nitrates and phosphates as well as go deeper into setting up a fuge. I will briefly go over dsb and anaerobic bacteria in a different article. Caution should be used with applying these techniques. I recommend having access to at least 25% water volume in case things spiral out of control. Always dose on the low end at...

It has recently been brought to my attention the topic of nutrient control in a reef. I'd like to write up a quick little article on why its important to try to keep these elements low and why it could be detrimental to your reef. I'd like to explain it in a few easy question and answer type examples.

What are nutrients and where do they come from? Nutrients, for lack of a better word is fertilizer. It composes of nitrate, phosphate, amino acids, and vitamins. It can come from ...

Each bottle has a Lot # printed on the bottle. The last four digits are the month and year they were manufactured.

Last 3 years
Ammonia
High Range pH
Nitrate
GH

Last 4 years
Nitrite
KH

Last 5 years
pH

Here are a few options:

1. Collect rainwater after its rained a bit (unless you fear pollution in your area or have a new roof). It's free and naturally soft and usually a bit acidic. Mix with a little tap water and you should have what you want;
2. Buy RO water and mix with a little tap water and you will have ideal water;
3. Buy high quality peat that the manufacturer lists as having a low pH value (check the bag -- usually only large bags say this - or call the company to check the acidity).

...

OK, first pH. The ph scale is from 0 to 14. Pure distilled water has a pH of 7, called neutral. pH below 7 is called acid. pH above 7 is called basic. Water is made up of hydrogen ions (seen as hyrdronium ion H3O) and hydroxyl ions (OH). If there is an equal amount of hydrogen and hydroxyl, the pH is 7. More hydrogen ions than hydroxyl and the solution is acid. More hydroxyl ions than hydrogen and the solution is basic.

The pH scale is a logarithmic scale, which means each step is a...