what exactley do i need to test for in my saltwater tank?

i will be keeping live rock live sand fish and inverts.

ive been told diffrent things heres what i know i should test for

ammonia
nitrite
nitrate
ph
temp


but which of these do i need to test?

magnesium
calcium
Alkalinity???

if i do need to test these what should the results be at?

 

You have the basics right

ammonia 0

nitrite 0

nitrate 0

ph 8.1 to 8.4

temp 72 - 78

If you are doing frequent water changes and have mostly soft corals then most likely you will not need to test for these:
if you are getting into sps then you need to test for these:
(they are important regardless but frequent water changes usually keep the levels up unless your corals use them up faster then you you add them with the saltwater changes)


Magnesium 1250 - 1350 ppm
Calcium 350 - 450 ppm

 

i wont be keeping corals for now but maybe in the future
so shall i just test for the basic for now?

 

yes thats what i would do.


C.J.

 

Can I throw Phosphate into the mix here?

algae can be a menace even in a FOWLR tank so having a test kit and a means of controlling Phosphate (GFO ) can be an advantage IMO

Steve

 

i was told that i can do something with socks to control Phosphate not sure what it was tho? any one know?

 

With regards to the socks, you can use filter socks filled with granular ferric oxide or aluminum oxide (phosphate remover) to reduce phosphates.
It's much better to use these removers in a reactor though,

 

You can use the socks and the media, but make sure to regularly clean them or you will encounter nitrate problems.