Best testing?

[tidus10]

So I rarely test my water and come to think of it, it's PROBABLY not the best habit. But I find testing very discouraging and I can never tell what's "right and wrong" so I've been using one of those walmart test kits for salt water (I forget the brand) for all of my aquarium testings but now I want to get a little more in control of my tank and make sure nothing will die if I add it.

What should I always be testing for? How often should I test?
What brand is a good brand for testing?
I was looking at the Red Sea tests and they are all sold on single parameter tests, this was completely repelling because I figure I want to know all my parameters and not just one? And should I buy them all?

Any help would be great

 

[Eric B]

This is a loaded question because it makes a large difference on your set up is it a FOWLR, softy only tank or mixed reef? If a FOWLR you can let levels get higher than the other 2 types of set ups. I run a mixed reef that is mostly sps and what I test pretty regular is CA, Mag, Alk which I use redsea and salifert kits and have found that both are pretty consitant. I also test for nitrates and phosphates and use a Hana bench top low range photometer for phosphate test. I keep an ammonia test around but never use it once the tank cycled unless I run into a problem a expect ammonia in the tank (which has not occurred). I also have an apex controller which monitors PH, salinity and ORP. I think with a FOWLR you can probably only get by with nitrate and phosphate test and water changes.

 

[tidus10]

I always feel uncomfortable when testing my water cause I don't know how to hold these vials. I can make them all darker then they are.

Does this look about right?

 

[tidus10]

Right now it's FOWLR.. My Duncan died. And I have one lone mushroom

 

[Reefing Madness]

Yea, those all look right. You either hold em against the white back drop of the card, or look straight into the top of the tube.
You can use API for
Ammonia
Nitrites
Nitrates
PH
Salifert for
Magnesium
ALK
CAL
Phosphates

Red Sea is also a good set of tests, and yes you buy them individually. Same with the others. If you buy a kit, you always end up buying them individually after that because they exhaust at different times.

At first you'll want to test once a week, to make sure your parameters are in check, then once you've gotten it under control you can probably get away with every 2 weeks. But Cal, Alk, Mag and phosphates are going to be your big thorn until you get them figured out. If you don't have alot of LPS or SPS then it won't be a big deal getting them inline.
Phophates are the big algae grower in the tank, get those out and in line and your going to be much happier about the looks of the tank.

 

[Eric B]

Yea, those all look right. You either hold em against the white back drop of the card, or look straight into the top of the tube.
You can use API for
Ammonia
Nitrites
Nitrates
PH
Salifert for
Magnesium
ALK
CAL
Phosphates

Red Sea is also a good set of tests, and yes you buy them individually. Same with the others. If you buy a kit, you always end up buying them individually after that because they exhaust at different times.

At first you'll want to test once a week, to make sure your parameters are in check, then once you've gotten it under control you can probably get away with every 2 weeks. But Cal, Alk, Mag and phosphates are going to be your big thorn until you get them figured out. If you don't have alot of LPS or SPS then it won't be a big deal getting them inline.
Phophates are the big algae grower in the tank, get those out and in line and your going to be much happier about the looks of the tank.

Yes what he said!