Water Testing

Discussion in 'Water Chemistry' started by Agent Jones, Mar 31, 2009.

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  1. Agent Jones

    Agent Jones Flamingo Tongue

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    Hey Guys

    Just signed up but i have been browsing the forum for a couple of days now trying to get a feel. And first of all i do wanna this is one of the Best Reefs forums i have seen over the past week.

    anyways i have been doing fresh water aquariums for a bit now and now im gonna do a 72 gallon bow front reef tank from stratch. Im gonna start to order somethings and i need to know is what do i need in a test kit to start out. What should i be testing for...also what should i be testing for down the road. i wanna get everything now so it will be here when i need it. I have seen some kits with different combinations of test and dont know what is needed and not needed for salt water

    Thanks!!

    Agent Jones -ray
     
    Agent Jones, Mar 31, 2009
    Agent Jones, Mar 31, 2009
    #1

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  2. GuitarMan89

    GuitarMan89 Giant Squid

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    You will need an ammonia test, nitrite, nitrate and ph test to start out. If you are doing a reef tank, then you will also need a Ca, Mg, Alk, and phosphate test as well. There are several other test kits you may want to consider, such as iodine or copper, but they are not necessary in my opinion.
     
    GuitarMan89, Mar 31, 2009
    GuitarMan89, Mar 31, 2009
    #2
  3. Screwtape

    Screwtape Tonozukai Fairy Wrasse

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    This is a good summary in my opinion. The only thing to be careful of is that test kits do expire eventually and sometimes start getting inaccurate the older they are so if you're not planning on testing something for 6 months or something like that I might wait to get the kits then.
    Of course if it's only going to be a month or two then buy away! :)
     
    Screwtape, Mar 31, 2009
    Screwtape, Mar 31, 2009
    #3
  4. Agent Jones

    Agent Jones Flamingo Tongue

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    makes sense..thanks for pointing that out. Im gonna start out with ordering the PH, nitrite, nirtrate, amonia, calcuim, and hardness from fosters and smith.



    Thanks for the replies!
     
    Agent Jones, Mar 31, 2009
    Agent Jones, Mar 31, 2009
    #4
  5. KOgle

    KOgle Zoanthid

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    Go with Salifert kits over some of the cheaper ones. They are a bit more $ but more accurate IMO and they are much easier to read.

    Good luck, welcome to 3Reef, and keep us posted!
     
    KOgle, Mar 31, 2009
    KOgle, Mar 31, 2009
    #5
  6. kgross

    kgross Skunk Shrimp

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    I will say go with the API test kits much less expensive than Salifert and almost as good.

    Now for the tests you need, ammonia for the cycling of the tank. Nitrate, Calcium and Alk. You don't need nitrite since it is not toxic in saltwater, nor do you really need pH. if your Alk is good, your pH should be ok,To many people try to solve pH problems and cause lots more for there tank.

    A mag test can be nice as well,
    Kim
     
    kgross, Mar 31, 2009
    kgross, Mar 31, 2009
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  7. offensetaken

    offensetaken Montipora Digitata

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    P.S. don't forget the hydrometer of refractometer...LOL
     
    offensetaken, Mar 31, 2009
    offensetaken, Mar 31, 2009
    #7
  8. Agent Jones

    Agent Jones Flamingo Tongue

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    ok thanks so is the ALK the same as Cabronate Hardness? I have read a couple of places that use the terms for the same thing.....
     
    Agent Jones, Mar 31, 2009
    Agent Jones, Mar 31, 2009
    #8
  9. kgross

    kgross Skunk Shrimp

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    Yes they are both the same.

    Kim
     
    kgross, Mar 31, 2009
    kgross, Mar 31, 2009
    #9
  10. Agent Jones

    Agent Jones Flamingo Tongue

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    thank you ... im going with the API test kits...
     
    Agent Jones, Mar 31, 2009
    Agent Jones, Mar 31, 2009
    #10
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