Testing

[petrasb]

Hello,

I just ordered some testing kits. MY LFS tells me that you don't need to test everything.
So far I got the ussual Amonia, Nitrate, Nitrite, PH, Spacific gravity, Phosphate, and Calcium.
I just ordered a Alkalinity, Magnessium test kit.

Do I need to be checking Iodine, Iron and other misc things? These test kits get expensive.

And what about Strontium & Molybdenum, how do you check these?

Or jsut by adding trace supplements as directed all you need to do?

 

[george]

In my opinion, what you need to test is largely dependent on how your system is set up and how you dose it.

For instance, if you use the Seachem "Reef" line of suplements (Reef Advantage, Reef Builder) for calcium, you're probably not in need of testing Magnesium since it's part of the calcium dose. If you're dosing Kalk, you definitely need to test Magnesium.

 

[kwl1763]

During a cycle your going to want to test for ammonia and nitrites.after your reef is established you every once in a while will need nitrate. calcium and alk are a must and most used, and mag every once in a while. As long as you do regular water changes everything else should be fine.

Ph really should be tested with a meter and salinity(specific gravity) with a refractometer.

Oh ya and I've never added anything except calcium , alk and Mg (and I do this with a calcium reactor) to my reef, ever. You don't need all those other supplements. Just keep regular water changes up.