sps junkies, help wanted

Salifert is the best, but expensive
API good
Can't remember the other ones.

Make sure you get a liquid kit. Make sure it is not expired (there should be a date on the package)

Calcium
Magnesium
dKH
Phosphate
Nitrate
Nitrite
PH
Salinity

 

ty ty

and once i get everything leveled out, how often do i test?

 

I tested every other day until my levels were good. Now, I test weekly.

 

I couldn't help on the SPS front for the most part. I do NOT test for everything. Heck, I haven't done a water change since March.........Just topoffs BUT that is the exception to the rule, not the rule. I know people who never do a waterchange (myself) and have good success ( don't ever plan on keeping SPS so it's ok for me) and I know folks who do weekly water changes.

 

If you're in the states right now, you could probably take a sample of your water to Inland Aquatics for testing.

 

My eyes are on fire..... Testing, water changes and maintenance all should be a high priority. Sure you may have some degree of success. But to maximize your success with this hobby you need to perform all of this.

You can use the analogy of when a person has bad health symptoms and go to a doctor. Or when somebody goes in for a physical. The doctor does all sorts of test and meaurements (weight, blood pressure, temp. etc) You are your reef tanks doctor. You need to make sure its healthy or diagnose bad symptoms by performing test, water changes, and maintenance to your equipment.

Dont let your reef die young or live unhealthy. Be its Doctor

 

I recommend API test kits for pH, Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, Alkalinity, and Calcium. I use Salifert for Calcium (to double check the API results) and Magnesium and a portable refractometer for salinity. I check my Phosphates with the Elos test kit and Potassium with Korallen Zucht.

 

I use the following:

pH and Alkalinity: Seachem : Test weekly
Calcium: API : Test weekly
Nitrate: Salifert : Test Weekly
Magnesium: Salifert :Test Weekly
Phosphate: API : Test Monthly has always read zero.
Specific Gravity : Swing arm hydrometer : test weekly. I must be the only one that prefers the swing arm over a hydrometer. Its easier to read for me but you need to make sure there are no bubbles on the arm.
Temperature : floating old style thermometer : weekly unless its hot then daily.
I no longer test for ammonia or nitrite since my nitrate is always < 1.0 ppm. I still have the kits on hand if something doesn't look right I can test.

 

ya im still in the states till oct 1... im at inland aquatics like once a week, never asked but im sure they would test it

 

I use salifert for Magnesium, Calcium, and Alkalinity. Refractometer for salinity.
API for ammonia, nitrate, nitrite.