LFS Water Testing??

[Muchcunfooz]

I've had a clownfish in my tank for about 2 weeks and I wanted to have my water tested for alkalinity and calcium to see if I can add my first coral. The LFS lady said my ph was 8.0, alkalinity 5.0, calcium 380, and salinity 1.021. She put the water in the test tubes, added drops, and instantly read results for everything she tested. From what I know you're supposed to wait 5 minutes for most tests. Also my refractometer at home says my salinity is 1.025 while her hydrometer said 1.021. I'm just really concerned about if I should trust these values or not.

 

[mitch91175]

Rule number one, get your own test kits. Yeah you can use the LFS as a backup to make sure that you are not going insane, but I think I may have had my LFS test my water maybe once as long as I have been in the hobby.

Salifert make great kits. I personally like a combo of Salifert NO2, NO3, Phosphate, Magnesium, Alk, CAL mixed with Hanna ALK, CAL and Milwaukee Digital Refractometer, and Milwaukee Phosphate testers. That way I have all my bases covered to where I feel comfortable with my results.

 

[mitch91175]

I’ve had a clownfish in my tank for about 2 weeks and I wanted to have my water tested for alkalinity and calcium to see if I can add my first coral. The LFS lady said my ph was 8.0, alkalinity 5.0, calcium 380, and salinity 1.021. She put the water in the test tubes, added drops, and instantly read results for everything she tested. From what I know you’re supposed to wait 5 minutes for most tests. Also my refractometer at home says my salinity is 1.025 while her hydrometer said 1.021. I’m just really concerned about if I should trust these values or not.

Have you thought about investing in a controller for your system? You can get pH, temp and salinity monitor from them. At least that's 3 you do not have to worry about. In the near future, there are going to be additional features like what the Neptune Systems is about to come out with.

 

[billdogg]

I use the LFS just as a backup for my own testing as well. Salifert for everything for me. Easy to use and very repeatable results.

 

[mitch91175]

That ALK reading is pretty low. You may want to do a smaller water change to replenish it. But get a tester before doing anything.

 

[Muchcunfooz]

That ALK reading is pretty low. You may want to do a smaller water change to replenish it. But get a tester before doing anything.

Yeah I'm kind of confused about why the alkalinity is so low. What's concerning me the most is that the lady told me that 380 calcium and 8.0 ph is super bad and will kill my clownfish.

 

[HBtank]

They were probably using some sort of strip testing mostly.

You are right, correctly testing for those parameters would more time, even if you were a pro that could do them all concurrently (particular CA which is titration).

And even then... only trust yourself for primary testing, and LFS just to confirm since they can have employees that think 8.0/380 kills fish. At this point you just have to set yourself up to test on your own.

 

[Cancun]

I've had a clownfish in my tank for about 2 weeks and I wanted to have my water tested for alkalinity and calcium to see if I can add my first coral. The LFS lady said my ph was 8.0, alkalinity 5.0, calcium 380, and salinity 1.021. She put the water in the test tubes, added drops, and instantly read results for everything she tested. From what I know you're supposed to wait 5 minutes for most tests. Also my refractometer at home says my salinity is 1.025 while her hydrometer said 1.021. I'm just really concerned about if I should trust these values or not.

Hi! I totally agree....get your own test kits...I personally like Red Sea....but there are other good ones out there too. I would trust a refractometer over a hydrometer...just my 2 cents.....[emoji16]

Sent from my MHA-L29 using Tapatalk

 

[Anemone]

What's concerning me the most is that the lady told me that 380 calcium and 8.0 ph is super bad and will kill my clownfish.

Yes, this would concern me as well, since neither value would have a negative effect on a clown (or most any other fish).

Kevin

 

[homer1475]

Yeah I'm kind of confused about why the alkalinity is so low. What's concerning me the most is that the lady told me that 380 calcium and 8.0 ph is super bad and will kill my clownfish.

And this is why most LFS's are no longer around. Also why you should test yourself and just use the LFS as a backup.

8.0 is perfect for a reef tank, and not something you really even want to adjust. Adjust your ALK and the PH will fall where it wants to be given the carbon dioxide levels in your home.

FWIW, most people who have a FOWLR(fish only) tank, don't even measure their ALK.

 

[JohnZena]

I've had a clownfish in my tank for about 2 weeks and I wanted to have my water tested for alkalinity and calcium to see if I can add my first coral. The LFS lady said my ph was 8.0, alkalinity 5.0, calcium 380, and salinity 1.021. She put the water in the test tubes, added drops, and instantly read results for everything she tested. From what I know you're supposed to wait 5 minutes for most tests. Also my refractometer at home says my salinity is 1.025 while her hydrometer said 1.021. I'm just really concerned about if I should trust these values or not.

There are tests that read instantly. Get a bottle of refractometer calibration liquid. The lfs will have it. I calibrate my refractometer with every use. There is no way to tell which test is right or which is wrong. Test kits are not created equal not to mention they are used as a rough estimate of water conditions. Their accuracy is often questioned. I have both Salifert and Red Sea test kits. My numbers never agree. I look for ballpark and stability. It is frustrating but nothing good comes from chasing numbers.

Sent from my LGMP450 using Tapatalk

 

[davocean]

Typically free LFS tests are those multi strips that are not very accurate, and I'd tend to believe a refracto over a hydro if calibrated.
Salifert is what I use and believe is most accurate.

I also agree those numbers should not affect your clown.

 

[Uncle99]

LFS stores do not hire marine biologists, they may be hobbists, they may not.
The nutrient tests have developing time.
If your going to keep corals, do it right, get your own kits....yes expensive...but used correctly, will give you that perfect on point water which enables a healthy and long lived tank.

 

[nereefpat]

OP stated the LFS lady used drops and vials... Ca and Alk are titrations and instant read tests... Yeesh.

Alk (and arguably Ca) is low. It's possibly due to the low s.g. of 1.021. +1 for whoever said to get some calibration fluid and check yourself.

Those results are fine for the clowns.

Good idea to get your own kits.

 

[mitch91175]

OP stated the LFS lady used drops and vials... Ca and Alk are titrations and instant read tests... Yeesh.

Alk (and arguably Ca) is low. It's possibly due to the low s.g. of 1.021. +1 for whoever said to get some calibration fluid and check yourself.

Those results are fine for the clowns.

Good idea to get your own kits.

Yeah that was I said the cat. I wouldn't even recommend continuing to do anything honestly until he get his own test kits and at minimum a pH probe of some sort. You are going to go into everything definitely blind without knowing those basic water parameters. He doesn't have to chase parameters either once he has the test kits. Just to know what it is approximately is better.