record keeping

Now that is more accurate!

 

Indeed and with salifert you get to mix powders instead of drops for even more of a mad scientist feeling. API makes you shake your arm off. With salifert you give the vile a swirl until the powder is dissolved, wait for 3 minutes and you are done.

 

API nitrate kit is "ok" .. I would get the salifert too. API is good for the ammonia and nitrite. THe API PH test is hard to read also.. you need a PH kit at point. Probably cheapest to just buy the kit that has all four. Internet prices are about $10 cheaper than stores.

 

I have both the basic and the master red sea kits.(some people don't like them but I don't have a problem with them) I test once a week , and I made a spread sheet in Excel where I keep track of the results, I am currently making a Access data base to keep track of everything.

 

I use a day planner to track everything for my tank. There is plenty of space to write observations and when tests and waterchanges were conducted. When I test, do a waterchange, or clean a filter unit, or change carbon, etc. I highlight it, so I can go back for quick reference to the last time it was done, and then I know when it needs to be done again. I use API tests, for me the Nitrate test is easy to read, PH is a little more difficult. I used to test all the time. Now I only test when I think something is wrong with my corals. PH I test before I drip Kalk. I highly reccomend to test regulary with a new setup.

 

I log everything in a spiral notebook. Plan on moving to an online tool.


I use API saltwater and reef kits. Plus Red Sea Mg test kit.

IMO, test strips aren't a quick and easy read. They are a quick and easy way to feel falsely confident everything is OK. They're as accurate as guessing by looking at the water.


API phosphate and PH tests are only good at ball parking. I can't tell if my test vial is showing me 8.2 or 8.4. On phosphates, it's either the lowest reading color or the third color. They look same to me.

I plan on switching brands for these two.

 

I also keep a handwritten log book. Maybe someone could share a computerized recordkeeping format that we could download? Calling all computer wizards! Some on here also made a great graph of water chemistry tests- can't remember who, though.

 

I bumped into this software tonight. It looks pretty detailed and for $34 it might be worth it.

Aquarium Lab

 

Just got back to this post- that looks like a pretty complete software system. Is anyone familiar with this seaapple.com?

 

Ah, a fellow accountant. I have broken all the rules of owning a salt water aquarium. I have all my weekly tests on an excel spreadsheet for the past two years. Second, I also keep track of all my personal expenses on QuickBooks; so I know exactly how much I have spent on my "hobby". That is something they tell you never to do or you might "give it up" or "go mad".

Anyway that is what works for me and it gives my LFS a clear picture if anything starts to go wrong.