Water testing

[Mrman2000]

My dog face is a great guy and always wants to rub on me when I am doing a water change. He does have large poops and bits really bad, but usually only once or twice a week. I really like him and i was warned that some will eat the coral but i got lucky. I also got told he would eat my erchint and shrimp, but he doesn't. They even said he would eat my star fish but never had any problems.

 

[Fishingandreefing]

I like the Red Sea Pro test kits for Ca, Alk, and Mag. I struggle with Nitrate test kits though. I currently have the Red Sea Pro but am not happy with it. For PO4, I will only use a Hanna checker!

I hate my Red Sea pro test kit. Get the Hanna checkers, my alk was way off comparing to Hanna, I trust Hanna is the right result.

 

[Mrman2000]

You guys have been a great help, the guy at my fish store was the one that told me the test kits are junk. He has some sort of a machine for doing his water tests. I really don't know what it's called but it tests everything from a vile of my water.

 

[Mrman2000]

Just curious I noticed my test kits have expired. What are the main things i should test for in my tank.

 

[lpsouth1978]

Just curious I noticed my test kits have expired. What are the main things i should test for in my tank.

I would say the things that you must test are Alk, Ca, Mag, Phosphate, and Nitrate. There are others that you can test for, but if you keep these 5 in check and do regular water changes (~20% every 2-3 weeks). you will keep the tank in good shape.

 

[Mrman2000]

Don't think this guy is doing well.

 

[Mrman2000]

Wally he is awesome and never eats the coral I have had him for about a year. He allows me to pet him and will bite at my mushrooms when he gets mad at me if I forget to feed him.....lol

Did water testing today just after my water change and everything tested great but Nitrate 3 it was 20ppm

 

[Slawman]

What is the best type of water tester. I understand the one with the drops is junk and there are better ways to do it.

No one size fits all that I have found. I use Salifert kits for Alk, Mg and Calcium. I have tried a few fancy Redsea pro kits in the past and use an Apex probe for PH and a Refractometer for Salinity. Dont really test for anything else these days.

The little Hanna Eggs are good for PO4 (low range). I could never get consistent results from their Calcium egg, may have been user error.

 

[Mrman2000]

Followed all the advice did a water change about 20% and tested my water and it is great. At first Nitrate 2 was testing high until I found out I was using and expired test. Did the test again with a non expired test and every thing was awesome. That is the first time I have ever changed out so little water and I was soooooo nervous about it. Wally B and others thanks so much for your help fastest water cha

 

[Mrman2000]

Followed all the advice did a water change about 20% and tested my water and it is great. At first Nitrate 2 was testing high until I found out I was using and expired test. Did the test again with a non expired test and every thing was awesome. That is the first time I have ever changed out so little water and I was soooooo nervous about it. Wally B and others thanks so much for your help fastest water cha

Fastest water change I have ever done. Guess I wanted a lot of salt and time in the past. I am going to save a fortune on salt.

 

[Mrman2000]

Water change day!!! Do you all think changing out two pails of water out of a 75 gallon tank once a week is two much???

 

[lpsouth1978]

If you are talking 5 gallon buckets, then you would be doing about 15% weekly. This is a pretty good water change. I try to do about 20 gallons every other week, which equates to about the same as you are doing.

 

[Mrman2000]

They are 20g pails and I was doing half the tank every week. I was thinking a pail or two would be good.

 

[Mrman2000]

They are 20g pails and I was doing half the tank every week. I was thinking a pail or two would be good.

Of coarse you cant fill then right to the top so I figure it's really about 15 gallons per pail.

 

[lpsouth1978]

Then I would just do one per week. You are wasting a lot of RODI and salt doing nearly a 50% weekly water change. Most reefers will change ~10% weekly up to maybe 50% monthly.

 

[Mrman2000]

Ok thanks that what others are saying on here as well. I followed that advice last weeks water change. I just didnt think my tank looked as good. I am going to stay on track and change the 20%