Most important tests for a saltwater aquarium
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Is there a Hanna checker for that? I've looked at the alkalinity and phosphorus ones and planning to get them just so there easier for me.Nitratesthe end result of a tank cycle when newly set up
LostInTheDark
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Never a dumb question but a lot depends on your plans for the tank. Will you have just fish or are you planning for corals? Is the tank brand new or is it well established?
It always a good idea to be familiar with the basics;
Salinty 1.026(corals) 1.021-26(fish)
Temp 77-81
If your planning coral:
Alk 7-11
Calcium 390-420
Phosphates <.03
Those are the majors that almost every one test for. Some people test for anything they make a test for but water changes usually take care of the lesser elements.
I'm sure more people will chime in with other things but a good saltwater book might be the best place to get started.
It always a good idea to be familiar with the basics;
Salinty 1.026(corals) 1.021-26(fish)
Temp 77-81
If your planning coral:
Alk 7-11
Calcium 390-420
Phosphates <.03
Those are the majors that almost every one test for. Some people test for anything they make a test for but water changes usually take care of the lesser elements.
I'm sure more people will chime in with other things but a good saltwater book might be the best place to get started.
twilliard
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I only use hanna for calcium and ALK
adhd_nerd
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For me the order of importance
1) Salinity - Obvious - keep stable. Check and double check when you do water change and make sure top-off is not causing it to fluctuate
2) Alkalinity - Again keep stable; can fluctuate over time and causes problems with coral health; fish don't seem to mind
3) Phosphate - Causes all sorts of nuisance algae problems
4) Nitrate - Keep in check; fish don't seem to mind
5) Calcium - May experience poor coral growth, but I don't think it causes death
6) Magnesium - same as 5
Fish only is less critical, I would say 1,3, and 4 are the key parameters. Really just 1 with regular water changes is probably good for fish only. The other two you can probably get indications by looking at the tank.
1) Salinity - Obvious - keep stable. Check and double check when you do water change and make sure top-off is not causing it to fluctuate
2) Alkalinity - Again keep stable; can fluctuate over time and causes problems with coral health; fish don't seem to mind
3) Phosphate - Causes all sorts of nuisance algae problems
4) Nitrate - Keep in check; fish don't seem to mind
5) Calcium - May experience poor coral growth, but I don't think it causes death
6) Magnesium - same as 5
Fish only is less critical, I would say 1,3, and 4 are the key parameters. Really just 1 with regular water changes is probably good for fish only. The other two you can probably get indications by looking at the tank.
LostInTheDark
Active Member
I started fowler and eventually went full reef. It's a great way to learn gradually it's very hard to go full blown reef from the get go. There's just so much to learn.
Buy good equipment. If your not sure ask in this forum. It's a great source of info. After a few months start with some easy soft corals and go from there.
Welcome to the world of Reefing. It's an amazing work that never lets go.
Buy good equipment. If your not sure ask in this forum. It's a great source of info. After a few months start with some easy soft corals and go from there.
Welcome to the world of Reefing. It's an amazing work that never lets go.
glb
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Here's what I use after a lot of trial and error:
Salinity: definitely buy a refractometee instead of a hydrometer. They're much more accurate.
I use Hanna checkers for alk and phosphates. Not all of the Hanna checkers are the best test out there, but for these two parameters, they work well.
Salifert for nitrates, calcium, and magnesium. This brand is less expensive than a lot of others and much easier to use.
For ph, I'd recommend a digital tester. The reagent tests are hard to read, and the monitors aren't that expensive.
IMO You can skip alk, ca and mg until you get corals. I had fish only for several years and only monitored nitrates, salinity, ph and temp. Good luck!
Salinity: definitely buy a refractometee instead of a hydrometer. They're much more accurate.
I use Hanna checkers for alk and phosphates. Not all of the Hanna checkers are the best test out there, but for these two parameters, they work well.
Salifert for nitrates, calcium, and magnesium. This brand is less expensive than a lot of others and much easier to use.
For ph, I'd recommend a digital tester. The reagent tests are hard to read, and the monitors aren't that expensive.
IMO You can skip alk, ca and mg until you get corals. I had fish only for several years and only monitored nitrates, salinity, ph and temp. Good luck!
Future_Reefer
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about this, im wanting to buy a 12 gallon nano tank. im going to end up putting some soft corals in there i wanted to know what chemistry ill need to keep track of but its a bit confusing, lets say i so 20% water changes weekly then what test will i need to do?
