what should i be testing for in a reef / fish tank?

I have been testing Calcium, Nitrates,nitrites,pH,ammonia and salinity?

 

In my Opinion, based on my experiences in 15 years or so, I test these when I need to test. I am not a regimented tester. I let my tank tell me when it needs to be tested. that said, I do test the Alk and Phosphate most often.

1. Alk
2. Cal
3. Nitrates
4. Phosphates
5. Salinity

PH is done electronically on my Controller.

 

Thanks I will go get those tests tonight

 

You may want to consider magnesium as well....

 

Calcium,Mag,Alk.,PH, are the most important IME.

 

Got the phosphate test. I got .5 which I guess isn't to bad. I just got an coral life ro system so I should be able to get that down with a few water changes.

 

Check out Leonard Ho from advanced aquarist. He has a medicine cabinet full of the essentials,

This is my (literal) fish medicine cabinet — Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog

 

Vinny nailed it. In the very beginning ammonia, nitrites and nitrates are important but once the tank matures its those he mentioned that are critical. If I were to leave one out it would be pH since it pretty much regulates itself once things get going and will have daily swings. Some people chase pH all over the place and worry themselves sick when it realy does take care of itself with good reefkeeping practices.

 

You guys are great. Wish I read the test kit Reviews first

 

RO by itself is not great at removing phosphates, you really need a good full size 20 oz vertical DI for that. Phosphates like silicates and nitrates are weakly ionized so it takes lots of good fresh DI resin with good contact time to remove it reliably.