Top Three Parameters

[BTimms]

Today I came across a YouTube video... I know,I know, don’t trust YouTube vids. And that is why I’m here asking.

The video claimed you really only need to test Temp, Salinity, and PH.

What are your opinions on the top, or most important parameters to test?

 

[xxkenny90xx]

I can agree with that, assuming this is a fully cycled fish only tank we're talking about.

 

[ShepherdReefer]

For a fish only or coral and fish tank?

 

[hds4216]

It's fine if it's fish only, but if you're keeping coral (especially SPS) you also really need to test alk, mag, and calcium, at least until you have a solid dosing regime. Phos is also important.

 

[BTimms]

I can agree with that, assuming this is a fully cycled fish only tank we're talking

What do you use to test PH?

 

[BTimms]

For a fish only or coral and fish tank?

Coral included!

 

[BTimms]

It's fine if it's fish only, but if you're keeping coral (especially SPS) you also really need to test alk, mag, and calcium, at least until you have a solid dosing regime. Phos is also important.

Fish with coral.
What are you top three parameters to test?

 

[hds4216]

Fish with coral.
What are you top three parameters to test?

If you want to keep coral successfully you need to test more than three parameters. I don't think there's any getting around that.

 

[BTimms]

If you want to keep coral successfully you need to test more than three parameters. I don't think there's any getting around that.

What would you test?

 

[Jeffcb]

ORP is 4th. Just saying. For any kind of tank. Learn it.

 

[Specific Ocean]

Where’s the link? I’d like to give it a watch

 

[MONTANTK]

Fish only yes. If it’s a reef tank you gotta be testing alk, ca, and mg. Personally, I have never felt the need to test pH. Seems like a lot of people have more issues chasing a desired level rather than leaving it be. Of course I could be totally naive to the benefits of chasing a pH number

 

[hds4216]

What would you test?

At a minimum, in no particular order, I would want the ability to test:

• temperature
• salinity
• pH
• alkalinity
• magnesium
• phosphate
• nitrates
• calcium

 

[DivingTheWorld]

For a coral tank, I would recommend required tests in order of importance:

Salinity
Alkalinity
Calcium
Magnesium
Nitrste
Phosphate

So that’s 6. Eliminate any 3 of those and you’re playing with fire. pH is good to know, but I don’t consider it required.

 

[BTimms]

ORP is 4th. Just saying. For any kind of tank. Learn it.

Just read this. It seems complicated to dial in the numbers.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Can I swap ALk for PH?

I never test PH. I know Ph will be ok if alk is ok. I can’t say if alk is ok if my ph is ok.

 

[BTimms]

For a coral tank, I would recommend required tests in order of importance:

Salinity
Alkalinity
Calcium
Magnesium
Nitrste
Phosphate

So that’s 6. Eliminate any 3 of those and you’re playing with fire. pH is good to know, but I don’t consider it required.

What do you recommend for testing those?
I’ve heard of people not testing rom chasing numbers...
Playing with fire? Or just unsure of what your baselines are?

 

[BTimms]

Can I swap ALk for PH?

I never test PH. I know Ph will be ok if alk is ok. I can’t say if alk is ok if my ph is ok.

That makes sense.
Alk is a better parameter to test?

 

[Wolf89]

Salinity, alk, phosphate

 

[hds4216]

That makes sense.
Alk is a better parameter to test?

They're closely related. If you could only test one, alk is better than pH.