For a reef tank, what test kits are considered "a must"?

[CMOS]

Howdy All,

Since I have found a renewed sense of interest in my reef tank, I need to learn more about what test kits are considered mandatory. Right now I have an API basic (Ammonia, PH, Nitrate, Nitrite).

What other parameters are a must to test for in a reef tank?

Keep in mind that I'll most likely not be getting any of the more difficult hard corals, etc. I'll stick to the ones that are considered to be "easy" on the care scale (for now until I learn a LOT more...).

Thanks for any suggestions.

CMOS

[Original Fin]

Besides the ones you already mentioned:

Calcium, alkalinity, Magnesium and phosphates.

Let's not forget temperature and Salinity (use a refractometer for accuracy)


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[Reefing Madness]

Must haves:
Ammonia
Nitrite
Nitrate
Salinity= refractometer
Calcium
Those are the absolute musts, the others are for prestine water conditions and for Reefs.

[CMOS]

Okay, I have the new test kits. Please help me understand the results:

Mg - 1470-1500
Ca - 520
Phosphates - 0

Is this a preferred range?

Thanks,
CMOS

[Original Fin]

Okay, I have the new test kits. Please help me understand the results:

Mg - 1470-1500
Ca - 520
Phosphates - 0

Is this a preferred range?

Thanks,
CMOS

Mag and calcium are both a bit past the optimal range, but undetectable phos is great. What test kit are you using for the phos?

For more info on the recommended ranges, see Lee's sticky "what is water quality?".


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[Reefing Madness]

Nitrates= 0
Magnesium= 1200-1400
Calcium= 420 Can be above to around 480
Phosphates= 0
Check this out, this will give you a better idea of what your looking for.
Calcium, KH, GH, pH, Electrolytes & Magnesium in Aquariums; Mineral Ions, Cations

[CMOS]

"What test kit are you using for the phos?"


API

What do I need to do to get my Mag and Calcium into the preferred range? (FYI: I'm using Oceanic Salt)



CMOS

[Original Fin]

"What test kit are you using for the phos?"


API

What do I need to do to get my Mag and Calcium into the preferred range? (FYI: I'm using Oceanic Salt)



CMOS

I asked, because most of the phos test kits out there (including API) give low resolution results. I'm using Red Sea at the moment, and it reads in increments of 0.1 ppm, which as it turns out is pretty useless when it comes to determining the proper dosages and/or gauging the effectiveness of carbon dosing, or the use of GFO. A higher resolution, around 0.02 is much more useful.
My point is, most liquid kits have low res with a fairly high margin of error, so I wouldn't count on a zero reading being all that accurate.
That said, at least you know it isn't very high, but it still could be high enough to fuel nuisance algae.

As for Cal and Mag levels, is that what you're getting right out of the bag with the Oceanic salt, or are you dosing something else?


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[CMOS]

No dosing on the Mag or Cal. This is straight out of the box.


CMOS

[Original Fin]

No dosing on the Mag or Cal. This is straight out of the box.


CMOS

What kind of source water are you using? I've heard of tap water adding calcium in some cases...not sure about magnesium though.

How does your Alk and PH test?

If your source water isn't to blame, I'd contact Oceanic and find out what they consider to be acceptable limits for that product...you may have a bad batch, in which case they may be willing to reimburse you or replace the defective batch for you.

If not, I'd look into other salts, because that really is too high. By far, the most popular is Instant Ocean. They all seem to have their issues from time to time though.

HTH


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[Original Fin]

What kind of source water are you using? I've heard of tap water adding calcium in some cases...not sure about magnesium though.

How does your Alk and PH test?

If your source water isn't to blame, I'd contact Oceanic and find out what they consider to be acceptable limits for that product...you may have a bad batch, in which case they may be willing to reimburse you or replace the defective batch for you.

If not, I'd look into other salts, because that really is too high. By far, the most popular is Instant Ocean. They all seem to have their issues from time to time though.

HTH


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I should add that I'd double check your test readings before going to any of this trouble.


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[CMOS]

OF,

Some more info: I forgot to add that I am using a little bit (1 tsp/week) of Kent's Essential Elements product.

PH is 7.8.

I did look at a few articles regarding Ca and Mg and neither of them said anything about problems with these 2 elements being on the high side. What are the downfalls of these 2 elements being high?

CMOS

[CMOS]

Also: water source is a 5-stage RO/DI system with TDS ("000" reading).


CMOS

[Reefing Madness]

Chemistry And The Aquarium: Solving Calcium And Alkalinity Problems — Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine
Aquarium Chemistry: Magnesium In Reef Aquaria — Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine
Aquarium Chemistry: A Homemade Two-Part Calcium And Alkalinity Additive System — Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine