What to test for - is it livestock dependent?

[Gort]

EDIT: I meant LPS ..After cycling, and aside from salinity and nitrate, do the parameters I need to plan to test / dose depend on which types of corals I plan to keep? I'm targeting softies and LPS. I'm also unsure if fish and invertebrate species enter into the equation.

 

[ZoWhat]

Calcium - around 420 ppm
Alkalinity - around 7-9 dKH
Magnesium - around 1300/1400 ppm

Phosphate - aim for .01 but nothing higher than .5 ppm

Nitrates - huge ongoing debate among hobbyists. Some claim as close to 0 as possible. Some say around 5 ppm is perfectly fine. Some run NO3 as high as 25+ ppm and have beautiful corals

I would say lower NO3 is more important/critical in younger tanks. Older tank of 2, 3+ years can withstand higher NO3

 

[Rmckoy]

With planning on keeping sps you are subjected to testing and ensuring all parameters are stable .

my system
Cal 425
Mag 1350
Alk 7.5
Nitrates 5
Phosphates .03 ( was .6 a few months ago )
Temp 78
Salinity 1.025

When you start noticing alk and cal consumption you might have to start dosing. .

do not dose anything unless you test the need for it .

 

[Gort]

@Rmckoy & @zoa what - I meant to say LPS instead of SPS. Would you advise anything differently?

 

[ZoWhat]

Not really. Calc, Alk, Mag, PO4 and NO3 are the main things EVERYONE tests for

Calc, Alk and Mag are the 3 elements your corals needs to be in balance

PO4 and NO3 are the 2 main elements that need to be EXPORTED OUT so they don't build up

 

[Gort]

Not really. Calc, Alk, Mag, PO4 and NO3 are the main things EVERYONE tests for

That's kinda what I was expecting. I'm still in the "get the gear" phase of setting up my tank. Among the myriad of decisions is which testers / test kits to have on hand.

 

[Rmckoy]

@Rmckoy & @zoa what - I meant to say LPS instead of SPS. Would you advise anything differently?

I believe the same applies to both .
lps can be a little more forgiving but maintaining all parameters stability will ensure everything is happy .
Alk , cal and mag are the 3 main parameters .
nutrients to be exported are nitrates and phosphates .
nitrates are exported via water changes ,
Phosphates are a little harder to remove as they’re bond to rocks , sand etc ,

 

[Gort]

I will also run a refugium in the sump, which should help with waste export and algae, but not sure it will do much to stabilize the main parameters.