Test Kits & Soloutions:

[jumpinjammin]

Hi all! I'm getting back into this business after several years off. I am going from a 125 gallon to a "Red Sea Max 250 (66 Gallon)."

Mostly looking to do hardier corals, and anemones, small critters, with Limited fish.

So Getting Started: Just going to make this thread about chemicals.


Definitely looking for simple solutions that are effective. I'm not going to dive way deep into this, so not heading in the direction of super technical or a ton of steps. Just looking for a basic, inexpensive way to support my future habit.


Testing water: I've done some research.

What are the main tests that I should be checking?

Seems that everyone has "must have" water tests in there personal arsenal.

The problem is, there are no "all in one" water test kits that supplies everything. They have some out there that are called master kits, but they do not contain "all tests," which is a bit confusing. So I just want to get the most basic of needs. "The ones that you must have."

So yea I know it just not that simple of an answer. But for what I'm going for, what you recommend for testers that are "must haves." Maybe from 1 - 10 or from 1 -5 or 1-3
1 Being most important and 10 being least important.

example:

1. Ph
2. CA
3. KH
4. Mg
5. NH3/NH4
6. No2
7. N03
8. P04
9. GH
10. FE


If you can, On top of that.

What chemicals or Maintenance would be require to solve some of the current issue after I have tested these parameters? Once I buy these tests I would like to solve any issue as they occur so I would like to by some the necessary checmicles to fix and of these problems I am test for. Make sense?

Example:

1. Ph
High the PH - Solution: Add Vinegar or some API pH down solution
Lower the PH - Solution: Water Change or API pH UP


2. CA
Higher the CA - Solution:
Lower Solution:

3. KH
4. Mg
5. NH3/NH4
6. No2
7. N03 - No Need
8. P04
9. GH - No Need
10. FE


This help would be greatly appreciated. As you see in my Avatar, I have no water in my new tank. Curing live rock for the next month and need to get started on the right foot. Thanks so much!

 

[saltyphish]

Hi all! I'm getting back into this business after several years off. I am going from a 125 gallon to a "Red Sea Max 250 (66 Gallon)."

Mostly looking to do hardier corals, and anemones, small critters, with Limited fish.

So Getting Started: Just going to make this thread about chemicals.


Definitely looking for simple solutions that are effective. I'm not going to dive way deep into this, so not heading in the direction of super technical or a ton of steps. Just looking for a basic, inexpensive way to support my future habit.


Testing water: I've done some research.

What are the main tests that I should be checkin

Seems that everyone has "must have" water tests in there personal arsenal.

The problem is, there are no "all in one" water test kits that supplies everything. They have some out there that are called master kits, but they do not contain "all tests," which is a bit confusing. So I just want to get the most basic of needs. "The ones that you must have."

So yea I know it just not that simple of an answer. But for what I'm going for, what you recommend for testers that are "must haves." Maybe from 1 - 10 or from 1 -5 or 1-3
1 Being most important and 10 being least important.

example:

1. Ph
2. CA
3. KH
4. Mg
5. NH3/NH4
6. No2
7. N03
8. P04
9. GH
10. FE


If you can, On top of that.

What chemicals or Maintenance would be require to solve some of the current issue after I have tested these parameters? Once I buy these tests I would like to solve any issue as they occur so I would like to by some the necessary checmicles to fix and of these problems I am test for. Make sense?

Example:

1. Ph
High the PH - Solution: Add Vinegar or some API pH down solution
Lower the PH - Solution: Water Change or API pH UP


2. CA
Higher the CA - Solution:
Lower Solution:

3. KH
4. Mg
5. NH3/NH4
6. No2
7. N03 - No Need
8. P04
9. GH - No Need
10. FE


This help would be greatly appreciated. As you see in my Avatar, I have no water in my new tank. Curing live rock for the next month and need to get started on the right foot. Thanks so much!

Try checking this thread out first. I think it will answer most if not all of your questions.http://reef2reef.com/threads/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.138750/

 

[jumpinjammin]

Not really the answers I was looking for. It pretty much said ammonia, nitrate, nitrite in the beginning then Calcium later on. Not really the answers I was looking for. Anybody else?

 

[twilliard]

Triton ICP test

No3 not needed? Lost on that one.
The only tests I run are KH and calcium (to monitor dosing)
Solutions to problems IMO are all about the proper tank care schedules and routine.

 

[saltyphish]

Try checking this thread out first. I think it will answer most if not all of your questions.http://reef2reef.com/threads/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.138750/

Hi all! I'm getting back into this business after several years off. I am going from a 125 gallon to a "Red Sea Max 250 (66 Gallon)."

Mostly looking to do hardier corals, and anemones, small critters, with Limited fish.

So Getting Started: Just going to make this thread about chemicals.


Definitely looking for simple solutions that are effective. I'm not going to dive way deep into this, so not heading in the direction of super technical or a ton of steps. Just looking for a basic, inexpensive way to support my future habit.


Testing water: I've done some research.

What are the main tests that I should be checking? while cycling test ammonia, nitrite, and Nitrate. O

Seems that everyone has "must have" water tests in there personal arsenal.

The problem is, there are no "all in one" water test kits that supplies everything. They have some out there that are called master kits, but they do not contain "all tests," which is a bit confusing. So I just want to get the most basic of needs. "The ones that you must have."

So yea I know it just not that simple of an answer. But for what I'm going for, what you recommend for testers that are "must haves." Maybe from 1 - 10 or from 1 -5 or 1-3
1 Being most important and 10 being least important.

example:

1. Ph
2. CA
3. KH
4. Mg
5. NH3/NH4
6. No2
7. N03
8. P04
9. GH
10. FE


If you can, On top of that.

What chemicals or Maintenance would be require to solve some of the current issue after I have tested these parameters? Once I buy these tests I would like to solve any issue as they occur so I would like to by some the necessary checmicles to fix and of these problems I am test for. Make sense?

Example:

1. Ph
High the PH - Solution: Add Vinegar or some API pH down solution
Lower the PH - Solution: Water Change or API pH UP


2. CA
Higher the CA - Solution:
Lower Solution:

3. KH
4. Mg
5. NH3/NH4
6. No2
7. N03 - No Need
8. P04
9. GH - No Need
10. FE


This help would be greatly appreciated. As you see in my Avatar, I have no water in my new tank. Curing live rock for the next month and need to get started on the right foot. Thanks so much!

Not really the answers I was looking for. It pretty much said ammonia, nitrate, nitrite in the beginning then Calcium later on. Not really the answers I was looking for. Anybody else?

Yeah , sorry about that! Hang on a sec. I thought there was a section in that about testing but must be anther post.

 

[saltyphish]

Hi all! I'm getting back into this business after several years off. I am going from a 125 gallon to a "Red Sea Max 250 (66 Gallon)."

Mostly looking to do hardier corals, and anemones, small critters, with Limited fish.

So Getting Started: Just going to make this thread about chemicals.


Definitely looking for simple solutions that are effective. I'm not going to dive way deep into this, so not heading in the direction of super technical or a ton of steps. Just looking for a basic, inexpensive way to support my future habit.


Testing water: I've done some research.

What are the main tests that I should be checking? If your tank is still cycling then I would suggest testing for Sg, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. After the cycle about the only of the three I use is nitrates and not too often. After cycle plan on testing ph, Sg., nitrate and phosphate. If you add corals then do Cal, Mag, and Alk as well

Seems that everyone has "must have" water tests in there personal arsenal. I started with API for cycling and starting out. I now use salifert or red sea test kits. Hannah phosphate checker. See above answer for varieties.

The problem is, there are no "all in one" water test kits that supplies everything. They have some out there that are called master kits, but they do not contain "all tests," which is a bit confusing. So I just want to get the most basic of needs. The ones I listed above are most used.

So yea I know it just not that simple of an answer. But for what I'm going for, what you recommend for testers that are "must haves." Maybe from 1 - 10 or from 1 -5 or 1-3
1 Being most important and 10 being least important.

example: 1-5 scale imo

1. Ph-3
2. CA-5
3. KH-5
4. Mg-5
5. NH3/NH4
6. No2-1 cycling reasons only
7. N03-2
8. P04-2
9. GH-?
10. FE-0


If you can, On top of that.

What chemicals or Maintenance would be require to solve some of the current issue after I have tested these parameters? Once I buy these tests I would like to solve any issue as they occur so I would like to by some the necessary checmicles to fix and of these problems I am test for. Make sense?

Example:

1. Ph
High the PH - Solution: Add Vinegar or some API pH down solution
Lower the PH - Solution: Water Change or API pH UP. Don't chase PH it will stabilize as the system matures in my exp.


2. CA
Higher the CA - Solution:
Lower Solution:

3. KH
4. Mg
5. NH3/NH4
6. No2
7. N03 - No Need
8. P04
9. GH - No Need
10. FE
Check out Brs 2 part. They sell the solutions and have a calculator you use to determine doses.
Also a lot of elements are replenished by 10% weekly water changes if your tank is not coral heavy.

This help would be greatly appreciated. As you see in my Avatar, I have no water in my new tank. Curing live rock for the next month and need to get started on the right foot. Thanks so much!