water chemistry

when i go to my LFS there are 3 things they check in the water what are they? and what else should be checked?

 

You should check these

Ammonia(should be 0)
Nitrate(5-10ppm is okay)
nitrite(should be 0ppm also)
Salinity(should be 1.025)
PH(7.9-8.2 is safe ranges, try to keep it at 8.2)
Alk(8-12Dkh)
Calcium(400-450 area is good)
Mag(1350-4000ppm)
Phosphate(.03 or lower)

If he cant test all of those, make sure he can test PH,Alk,nitrate,nitrite,ammonia,calcium(not that big if you dont have LPS or SPS) and phosphate

 

it is a FOWLR tank and they check three things and the fourth is salt level. not sure which ones tho i didnt pay attention last time he did it.

 

FOWLR should check ammonia, nitrite and nitrate along with salinity.

 

Most LFS's will check Nitrate, PH and phophate or alk..Thats strange that he only checked three though..I would get your own test kit.

My LFS tests everything i ask him to test.

 

he told me it was the basic three when cycling the tank. i wasnt to worried he wasnt checking more than three because i have no fish just live rock. and they do test more because ive seen them check other peoples water with more than three things. i do plan on getting the test kit but im just getting everything slownly as it is an expensive hobby .

 

I think Zoanthids21 meant 1350 - 1400 on the mag level not 1350 - 4000

 

thanks for correction. any advice on what brand test kit or what to look for?

 

The 3 that is check when cycleing is Ammonia, Nitrates and Nitrites. Once the ammonia is gone and your nitrates are really low, then you will be able to add your first fish. Or pair of clowns. Don't be in a rush to add alot of fish, it's a slow process.

 

a pair of clowns will be my first. or a yellow watchmen goby wait about two weeks then a cleaner shrimp