Water testing

[TKBIndy]

What would be suggested product for testing water parameters and how often would you test? I have been using the api master reef and saltwater kits and starting weekly routine. wondering if the digital readers are a must have or if there is a better product most reefers would recommend? I do get annoyed with the color charts requiring a bit of judgement but the tests are pretty easy to perform.

Planning to keep the tank basic with soft/lps coral to start, but do want to mix in some sps if things go well.

 

[cracker]

hey Tk , The api kits are not too bad. There are red sea & selifert kits. these require a color judgement ,I don't like either . The Hanna testers will give you a number. They all test different from the others.

 

[PatW]

API alkalinity has a resolution of 1 DKH. Red Sea Pro and Salifert depend on you interpreting a color change. So the resolution is about .2 DKH. Hanna ALK gives a digital read out that goes to tenths if a DKH. So at its best, about .1 DKH.

What test you need really depends on your tank and it’s inhabitants. If you only have soft corals, changes in Ca and DKH will be very slow and water changes will probably keep things constant.

In a flourishing SPS tank, DKH and Ca will be consumed rapidly requiring dosing and daily testing.