Help please lfs guy might be better suited selling houses!!!

Hey anybody reading this i just went to my LFS and all the employees were being real unhelpful with me and not sure if the info they gave me was correct im building a reef tank 55gallon and wanted to know what tests do i need to have it healthy and growing i already have a saltwater master test kit so what else do i need the LFS guy told me that all i need is carbonate hardness test and thats it and that it keeps calcium from being depleted so much. Im using reef crystals and tank is cycled and ready can any of u reef experts help me out please!!!

 

Well, the basic parameters come down to
Salinity level
PH
Water quality: nitrate, phosphate, and nitrite (while cycling)
also Alkalinity, calcium, magnesium levels.

I test Salinity when doing a water change
PH, alk, nitrate, calcium and magnesium weekly/biweekly

and phosphate / nitrite if I'm cycling or having an algae problem.

 

+1 ^^^^

 

Yes, thats right, I don't see how they were being (insert mean word)

 

X2 my lfs's can be real simpletons thats what makes this forum so valuble

 

I hate to hear that... My LFS is AMAZING!! They have become real friends, great guides and are the main reason I am so deep in this hobby. When I started in the hobby I remember more times not being allowed to buy a fish than being allowed! Made me get my water right and taught me a TON! He and his son run it together.

 

Easiest thing to do is simply dont go back there. The good ones deserve your business and the bad ones deserve to go under. My LFS selection is one local store that only orders livestock (no guarentee), two that are 70 miles one way (one is a jerk, the other has very limited choices), and one that is 110 miles the other way that is a quality and knowledgable store. I make that 110 drive despite the costs of gas and everything else. I would rather he gets my money.

 

well they were being jerks cause they were being very rude when i asked questions and i even saw a spider crab killing a banded shrimp and told the lady and she gave me a snotty answer and didnt care than the gentlemen that i was showing him something and asking questions he very rudely took the item from my hand and put it back on the shelf as if i was a child and going to break something anyhoo sorry off subjectwell so what other test do i need besides the ones i have

 

Great advice in a nut shell.
If you are like most of us and doing this on a budget I would get a decent refractometer to test your salinity.
Your current test kit will get you through the cycle but when its time for a new one I strongly suggest the Hanna photo meter for testing the alk. For testing Calcium I like to use the Red Sea. And for Magnesium I like the Salifert.Chime in here guys.Help a brother out.;D I have test kits for the Nitrates and Phosphates but in 1 year I haven't had to touch them.(Knock on wood) I just use dip strips for the PH.
If your local fish store is being a jerk try Dr.Fosters and Smith.Great shipping prices and lots of sales.Also if you look in our sponser section you can find many great places to buy everything you need and coupon codes to boot.
Welcome to 3reef.8)

 

What's a photo meter and sorry I didnt quite undetstand which tests I really need