so many tests

why cant you buy just one test kit that has it all. Why are there like three kits that you need to buy????? I bought the API Reef Master Kit which was like fifty dollars and then i find out i need to buy the API Saltwater Test Kit, because there were no PH, Alkalinity, Ammonia test in the Reef Master Kit. So confusing Oh and also how often should i test all these:-/

 

test everyday until you get where you know your system like the back of your hand (2-3 months min) and then you can slack off a bit when you know how everything reacts to certain changes in the aquarium.. and when I mean slack off, you can skip a day between testing..
i have a feeling im about to get eaten alive for this..

 

Why would you get eaten alive for showing dilligence?

I tested weekly for ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate and PH from day 1 (fowlr) no need to do more often as I was not concerned with cycle time, Damsels added in September 2007 and I knew my next fish would be added at Christmas so no urgency to track the cycle
I just knew from experience it was going to happen irrespective of my physically measuring it.

when moving to corals - added Calc, mag, dkh, po4 to my weekly routine

but I dont test ammonia and Nitrite anymore unless I feel there is an issue
so now weekly I test Calc , Mag, DHK, PO4, PH and Nitrate

but have Amonia, Nitrite, and copper tests on hand just in case of any problems

Steve

 

If you are paying $50 per API test kit you need to find a new LFS
But dont worry. Pretty soon you'll only test alk, ca, and mg. Thats all I have tested for in ages.

 

I test pH continuously (Pinpoint monitor) as well as temperature (2 different thermometers), I test the rest usually once a week now (I used to test every day too)
Agree on the price of the Reef Master, I think I paid $30-32