Newbie looking for easy testing solutions. Help!

Omri · 11/15/2019, 10:36 PM

I’m starting a new 140 gallon reef tank this weekend and wanted to buy all the test kits I need. This is my least favorite part of reefing from past tank experience so I’m looking for something convenient and easy I can stick with!

What should I test for when I first start the tank?
How often?
Which test kits are easy and most accurate?

When the tank finishes cycling what should I test for and how often?
If someone has a good system, please share your practices! I would like to keep a log of these results near the tank but make it something I will actually do!

billdogg · 11/16/2019, 06:41 AM

I have been using Salifert for all my testing for over 30 years. I find them to be reasonably priced, easy to use, they give very repeatable results, and are more than accurate enough for our needs.

hth

Uncle99 · 11/16/2019, 08:08 AM

Prior to cycle I test
Temp
Salinity
Nitrite
Ammonia

After cycle, but Prior to having any corals, I tested weekly for:
Temp
Salinity
Nitrate
Phosphate

After adding corals, I tested the same above weekly and included
ALK ( which I test for daily)
Ca
Mg.
PH (I don't chase PH number, but I do monitor the number)

I keep a worksheet to monitor progress/adherence to the levels.

Testing is the most important factor in success.

I use Sailfert as well except for ALK for which I use Hanna.

mike550 · 11/16/2019, 08:12 AM

My tank is around 4 months old. I’m testing with Red Sea “Marine Care Test Kit” for Ammonia, Alkalinity, pH, NO2 and NO3. Using Hanna checkers for salinity and phosphate. I test every few days and really let NO3 drive water changes. Also keep a log.

mcgyvr · 11/16/2019, 09:27 AM

Fish only? Or corals too?
Have you determined what your water change schedule will be?

Testing can be from nothing to full out excessive depening on your goals/plans for the tank..
I am just fish (urchins/cucs,etc) and soft corals now.. I haven't tested anything in months.. Its so nice not to be bound to test kit routines.

Sk8r · 11/24/2019, 03:20 PM

Fish aren't too persnickety: keep their alk around 8.3 and things will generally go right. In maintaining a 'locked' chemistry of cal 420/alk 8.3/magnesium 1350....you have a choice of dosing cal (via kalk powder in your topoff water), buffer, and mg; or doing it all by two-part. Both work. Clams and stony coral require calcium supplementation; fish-onlies and softies don't. The colored stick corals (stony) or small polyp (SPS) require really hyperclean water because they eat light---so to speak, and they are the bleeding edge of the hobby; the large polyp stonies (LPS) are not as fussy, and eat via mouths as well as light: fish poo keeps them supplied, generally. And the soft corals actually prefer their water 'richer' and not as rigorously skimmed, because they filter much of theiir food from the water.

11/15/2019, 10:36 PM	#1
Omri Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Englewood NJ Posts: 28	Newbie looking for easy testing solutions. Help! I’m starting a new 140 gallon reef tank this weekend and wanted to buy all the test kits I need. This is my least favorite part of reefing from past tank experience so I’m looking for something convenient and easy I can stick with! What should I test for when I first start the tank? How often? Which test kits are easy and most accurate? When the tank finishes cycling what should I test for and how often? If someone has a good system, please share your practices! I would like to keep a log of these results near the tank but make it something I will actually do!

11/16/2019, 06:41 AM	#2
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	I have been using Salifert for all my testing for over 30 years. I find them to be reasonably priced, easy to use, they give very repeatable results, and are more than accurate enough for our needs. hth __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

11/16/2019, 09:27 AM	#5
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Fish only? Or corals too? Have you determined what your water change schedule will be? Testing can be from nothing to full out excessive depening on your goals/plans for the tank.. I am just fish (urchins/cucs,etc) and soft corals now.. I haven't tested anything in months.. Its so nice not to be bound to test kit routines. __________________ Who me? Last edited by mcgyvr; 11/16/2019 at 09:33 AM.

11/24/2019, 03:20 PM	#6
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Fish aren't too persnickety: keep their alk around 8.3 and things will generally go right. In maintaining a 'locked' chemistry of cal 420/alk 8.3/magnesium 1350....you have a choice of dosing cal (via kalk powder in your topoff water), buffer, and mg; or doing it all by two-part. Both work. Clams and stony coral require calcium supplementation; fish-onlies and softies don't. The colored stick corals (stony) or small polyp (SPS) require really hyperclean water because they eat light---so to speak, and they are the bleeding edge of the hobby; the large polyp stonies (LPS) are not as fussy, and eat via mouths as well as light: fish poo keeps them supplied, generally. And the soft corals actually prefer their water 'richer' and not as rigorously skimmed, because they filter much of theiir food from the water. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

11/16/2019, 08:08 AM	#3
Uncle99 Crab Free Zone Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,906	Prior to cycle I test Temp Salinity Nitrite Ammonia After cycle, but Prior to having any corals, I tested weekly for: Temp Salinity Nitrate Phosphate After adding corals, I tested the same above weekly and included ALK ( which I test for daily) Ca Mg. PH (I don't chase PH number, but I do monitor the number) I keep a worksheet to monitor progress/adherence to the levels. Testing is the most important factor in success. I use Sailfert as well except for ALK for which I use Hanna.

11/16/2019, 08:12 AM	#4
mike550 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Chicago Posts: 26	My tank is around 4 months old. I’m testing with Red Sea “Marine Care Test Kit” for Ammonia, Alkalinity, pH, NO2 and NO3. Using Hanna checkers for salinity and phosphate. I test every few days and really let NO3 drive water changes. Also keep a log.