Which do I need to test for?

Ivydoodles · 05/17/2020, 07:45 AM

Our current kit tests for Ammonia, PH, Nitrites, and Nitrates. Is there anything else I should be testing for in my new tank? If so, how often?
Thanks

wrott · 05/17/2020, 08:00 AM

Most important is to get NH3 and NO2 under control by bacterial cycling.
Alkalinity is most important next, keep it as stable and steady as possible.
Ca and Mg are next in order of importance, Salifert makes good kits.

billdogg · 05/17/2020, 08:51 AM

I don't bother with pH. Haven't checked it in at least 25 years. Trying to achieve the "perfect" pH will only throw off the important levels (Calcium and Alkalinity)

For the first year or so, you probably won't have to worry about Ca, Alk, or Mg. Regular water changes should take care of those for you. It is not until you have added stony corals (and they are growing) that dosing those will become important.

lionfish300 · 05/30/2020, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ivydoodles

Our current kit tests for Ammonia, PH, Nitrites, and Nitrates. Is there anything else I should be testing for in my new tank? If so, how often?
Thanks

I would start with what you have to make sure your tank is cycled before worry about anything else

Ivydoodles · 05/30/2020, 10:10 PM

All levels at zero.....cycled?

wrott · 05/31/2020, 09:23 AM

How high did NH3 get during cycle and you should be able to detect 10-20ppm NO3.

Ivydoodles · 05/31/2020, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrott

How high did NH3 get during cycle and you should be able to detect 10-20ppm NO3.

Ammonia may have gotten to 0.25 one day, the SPI test is hard to read. Currently NO3 is at zero as well. There were a few days where it was 5.0ppm

wrott · 05/31/2020, 10:38 AM

As long as you dont have an NH3/NO2 spike when you feed the tank it should be good to go for a small fish.
Did you "ghost" feed during cycle?

Ivydoodles · 05/31/2020, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrott

As long as you dont have an NH3/NO2 spike when you feed the tank it should be good to go for a small fish.
Did you "ghost" feed during cycle?

NO I cycled with 2 clown fish and some invertebrates

Fiish · 05/31/2020, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ivydoodles

NO I cycled with 2 clown fish and some invertebrates

Does it mean that you cycle your tank with inhabitants?

wrott · 05/31/2020, 11:47 PM

So you got lucky and your rock was already cured enough?
Be careful in the future, most people would have killed many creatures, you can cycle w/out fish.

05/17/2020, 07:45 AM	#1
Ivydoodles Registered Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 20	Which do I need to test for? Our current kit tests for Ammonia, PH, Nitrites, and Nitrates. Is there anything else I should be testing for in my new tank? If so, how often? Thanks

05/17/2020, 08:00 AM	#2
wrott Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,912	Most important is to get NH3 and NO2 under control by bacterial cycling. Alkalinity is most important next, keep it as stable and steady as possible. Ca and Mg are next in order of importance, Salifert makes good kits. __________________ OK, but where does the meat go! ------------------------------------------------ 120g SPS, 125g mix, 56g FOWLR, 20g qt

05/17/2020, 08:51 AM	#3
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	I don't bother with pH. Haven't checked it in at least 25 years. Trying to achieve the "perfect" pH will only throw off the important levels (Calcium and Alkalinity) For the first year or so, you probably won't have to worry about Ca, Alk, or Mg. Regular water changes should take care of those for you. It is not until you have added stony corals (and they are growing) that dosing those will become important. __________________ 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

05/31/2020, 09:23 AM	#6
wrott Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,912	How high did NH3 get during cycle and you should be able to detect 10-20ppm NO3. __________________ OK, but where does the meat go! ------------------------------------------------ 120g SPS, 125g mix, 56g FOWLR, 20g qt

05/31/2020, 10:38 AM	#8
wrott Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,912	As long as you dont have an NH3/NO2 spike when you feed the tank it should be good to go for a small fish. Did you "ghost" feed during cycle? __________________ OK, but where does the meat go! ------------------------------------------------ 120g SPS, 125g mix, 56g FOWLR, 20g qt

05/30/2020, 10:10 PM	#5
Ivydoodles Registered Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 20	All levels at zero.....cycled?

05/31/2020, 11:47 PM	#11
wrott Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,912	So you got lucky and your rock was already cured enough? Be careful in the future, most people would have killed many creatures, you can cycle w/out fish. __________________ OK, but where does the meat go! ------------------------------------------------ 120g SPS, 125g mix, 56g FOWLR, 20g qt