Floyd-
Well-Known Member
Im coming from fresh water where I never tested in years and ive had healthy happy fish. Now im getting my 60gal salt tank setup what should I test for and what do I need to test for said things?
Water testing?
- Thread starter Floyd-
- Start date
- Tagged users None
Azedenkae
Valuable Member
You'll find that you'll meet people here who after a while do not really test anything at all, and also those who do it religiously. Welcome to the forum!
With that said, what kind of setup are you planning for? Fish-only? Or also corals, and if so, do you know which type you'd be after? Depending on what you keep certain parameters may be more or less important to measure.
Idoc
Getting lazier and lazier with upkeep!
I'm assuming you are wanting to setup a reef tank with corals...
Initially setting up the tank: Ammonia, Nitrates
The main tests to start with for corals: Alkalinity, Calcium, Magnesium, pH, nitrates, phosphates.
Initially setting up the tank: Ammonia, Nitrates
The main tests to start with for corals: Alkalinity, Calcium, Magnesium, pH, nitrates, phosphates.
OP
OP
Floyd-
Well-Known Member
Yes im looking into coral and fish in this setup. Trying to find the easy and hardy breeds to start with and go into other things as I learn more. Everything salt water so far seems kinda picky. The freshwater seems ok as long as there is water in the tank lol. Heck I even use the tap water with a declorinator and thats all. Its been thriving for the better part of a year.
OP
OP
Floyd-
Well-Known Member
Ok so look at ammonia and nitrates at the moment. Im shooting for 0 on those right?
Idoc
Getting lazier and lazier with upkeep!
After the cycle, you definitely want zero ammonia present...if your system can clear an ammonia source (typically 1ppm) to zero in 24hrs, then your system is cycled. But you need to introduce an ammonia source to get your cycle running.
As for the nitrates, after the cycle, you will typically have really high nitrates as your system reduces the ammonia to nitrites and then to nitrates. This high nitrate reading helps to ensure your tank cycled properly as well. After the cycle is complete, you will want to do a very large water change (typically around 75%) in order to then reduce the nitrates to a more manageable level.
Search the R2R articles section...there are some good articles in there on explaining the nitrification cycle process.
Razorp
Active Member
Clowns are pretty hardy, ive had a firefish for almost two years now, he survived a blizzard where the temp tank dropped to 50 degrees for 3 days due to no power. I would say they are very hardy or he is a warrior lol. Everyone compliments him too, they are beautiful fish!
