What to test? (1 Viewer)

[Jay-Hawks]

Ok, at the risk of sounding stupid I'm going to ask what everyone is testing in the water? Calcium, phosphate & alkalinity, anything else?

I have always hated testing my water so as a result my tanks have always had problems but I'm trying to do it right now and I just want to make sure I'm covering my bases. I'm planning on running a full reef tank with both hard and soft corals and I was thinking about investing some money in the Hanna Checkers. From what I have read everyone loves those things but I don't want to but something I don't need.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[flipside]

I test:

SG
Alk
Ca
Mg
Nitrates
Phosphates
pH
Temp

With new tanks, it's a good idea to do this every other day, up to every week. As your tank matures, you'll be less prone to whip out the test kits. I know some guys that don't even test anymore... actually, I know too many guys that don't test anymore.

 

[DustinB]

Well it really depends on what you are doing and how stable your tank is, how well you know it.

Once cycled you really only need to be concerned with Nitrate, Phosphate, Alkalinity, Calcium, and Magnesium.

For example, I know my tank never has any measurable Nitrate so I don't test for it. I know my GFO is good for about 3-4 weeks, so I test for phosphate once a month. I know my Calcium is pretty steady and will show a change if Alkalinity starts changing. I only test for Calcium once a month.

Now Alkalinity, I test weekly to be sure. I have certain corals that show me something is off, but with some of the touchy SPS I can't wait for visible signs. Growth variations, etc... can bring your Alkalinity down to dangerous levels for many SPS fairly quickly.

Magnesium, I test once a month as it is consumed slowly. Other than that, water changes see to do the trick.

I use Salifert for Nitrate and Calcium. I use Hanna Checkers for Alkalinity & Phosphate. These 2 Hanna Meters are well worth the price given the accuracy and ease of use, especially the Alkalinity that I test weekly.

 

[emixa]

Now Alkalinity, I test weekly to be sure. I have certain corals that show me something is off, but with some of the touchy SPS I can't wait for visible signs. Growth variations, etc... can bring your Alkalinity down to dangerous levels for many SPS fairly quickly.

I use Salifert for Nitrate and Calcium. I use Hanna Checkers for Alkalinity & Phosphate. These 2 Hanna Meters are well worth the price given the accuracy and ease of use, especially the Alkalinity that I test weekly.

Dustin,

On the Hanna Checkers, which one are you using: the new egg shape type or the skinner probe type?

 

[DustinB]

Didn't know there were 2 of the checkers. I use the standard ones, egg shaped...

 

[emixa]

Didn't know there were 2 of the checkers. I use the standard ones, egg shaped...

I think there is another one for testing, it looks like a pen.

I bought the egg shape yesterday from City Pets and tested my water. Did yours only come with (6) test powders? I am guessing that i have to buy more for later.

 

[DustinB]

Hanna makes several testing devices. The ones for our purposes are the Hanna "Checkers". The pens are pH meters aren't they?

The checkers come with varying amounts of reagents. One of my kits did come with 6 reagents, I don't recall which though.

 

[emixa]

Dustin,

I got my instruments crossed. Apparently, the one i was looking at is more for testing the PH, temp, and ORP

http://www.marinedepot.com/Hanna_In...ums-Hanna_Instruments-HN1131-FITEMOID-vi.html

 

[steveb]

SG I test with vertex refractometer

PH and Temp via Neptune Systems AC Jr

I use Salifert for Ca, Alk, Mg, Nitrate

I have the Hanna phosphate checker for PO4- it came with six tests.

The two things I do not like about it:
1- 90 second timeout while your trying to get the PO4 test powder to dissolve
2- crappy plastic lids on the cuvettes leak when shaking the crap out of it to get said powder above to dissolve before the tester times out.