Going to start monitoring calcium, mag, and alk...

[Daddyrawg]

As I start to venture into corals, I want to better understand what I need to dose calc mag and alk.. would be dosing manually so maybe a powder could work.. which test kits preferred? I take it its a must to test for these if I go reef?

 

[top shelf]

You will only need to dose when wc can no longer keep up with consumption rates. So yes you will need test kit's to determine when and how much. Mag, alk, and calcium will be the big 3, as for which brand that is all personal preference. I like salifert as there quick and easy to use with consistent results. You can buy powder supplements and make up your own or buy liquid, another personal preference.

Test kits, supplement you intend to dose, a way to measure your supplement, and your rate of consumption are all that's needed to get started. Also only dose what your testing for.

 

[Uncle99]

Also, you want to manage nitrate in the 2-5ppm range and phosphate in the .02-.04 range.....corals ultize these for food...