If you could only test One which would you test and why?

Dilan Patel · Jul 9, 2019

So after using a reefbot for a month and have thoughly enjoyed it testing my alk calc and nitrate I am looking to add one more test it would be either magnesium or phosphate. Which would you choose. honestly I have a hannah checker for phosphate and a salifert for mg so neither test is hard to do but just want to use the slots I am giving in the bot. My thinking is go with magnesium as that is something I dose and would like to keep around 1300-1500. FOr my phosphates they always run high like .5 mostly lol so I really don't know what I should test for automatically? any thoughts.

rkpetersen · Jul 9, 2019

I'd go with phosphate monitoring, combined with steps to reduce the level like adding GFO.
Assuming that the test you'll be using for phosphate is as sensitive and accurate as the Hanna Checker, or at least close.

Dilan Patel · Jul 9, 2019

If I did the phosphate I would go with the API as it is most cost effective but...I don't know how well it will read phosphates.

Dilan Patel · Jul 9, 2019

I run GFO but being away from the tank for 6weeks at a time changing GFO just is not a viable option and running a refugium won't work because I turned that part of my sump into a frag tank lol

Dilan Patel · Jul 9, 2019

Actually I just looked at the api and apparently it is high range which really doesn't help me lol. Maybe I will wait on phosphate until reefbot comes out with more supported test kits.

lapin · Jul 9, 2019

If you dose something you need to test for it

Dilan Patel · Jul 9, 2019

I do test magnesium manually I was just trying to figure out which I would rather be tested automatically. Probably going to do the magnesium

nmqtrhrse · Jul 10, 2019

Alkalinity. I can pretty much control Phosphates and Nitrates but if my KH gets out of wack I can lose everything.

nmqtrhrse · Jul 10, 2019

Alkalinity. I can pretty much control Phosphates and Nitrates but if my KH gets out of wack I can lose everything.

nmqtrhrse · Jul 10, 2019

Alkalinity. I can pretty much control Phosphates and Nitrates but if my KH gets out of wack I can lose everything.

Waters · Jul 10, 2019

I would test the phosphate.....Mg doesn't really change in a maintained reef tank. Mine doesn't move ever and all I do is regular water changes (no dosing of Mg). I manually test it every couple of months. Phosphate on the other hand changes all the time unfortunately....especially when using phosphate media.

Dilan Patel · Jul 10, 2019

Waters said:
I would test the phosphate.....Mg doesn't really change in a maintained reef tank. Mine doesn't move ever and all I do is regular water changes (no dosing of Mg). I manually test it every couple of months. Phosphate on the other hand changes all the time unfortunately....especially when using phosphate media.

Hmm good point...I don't do waterchanges lol so I do rely on my 2part(BRS) to help keep all my levels in check. I sometimes use like phosphate rx to bring down phosphates. Man I might just buy both kits and call it a day lol