Test Kits - What is necessary?

[thomas.torode]

Is it necessary to have a good Magnesium, Potassium and Copper Test kit to have a successful SPS Reef tank.

I currently have kits for: Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, pH, Phos, kH and Calcium. What else do I absolutely need?

 

[ladynavyvet]

Is it necessary to have a good Magnesium, Potassium and Copper Test kit to have a successful SPS Reef tank.

I currently have kits for: Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, pH, Phos, kH and Calcium. What else do I absolutely need?

Do you have a way to track the salinity of the water? Either the gravity method, or a refractometer? I know it's a basic test, but didn't see it mentioned in with the other you already have/do.

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[thomas.torode]

Do you have a way to track the salinity of the water? Either the gravity method, or a refractometer? I know it's a basic test, but didn't see it mentioned in with the other you already have/do.

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Yes, I have a refractometer and a hydrometer.

 

[Randy27]

With proper husbandry (water changes, etc) you'll need only a few testers, depending on if you dose. Don't dose what you don't test. Basically, you just need a refractometer and something to test cal, alk, etc. No copper tester needed...don't use copper in your sps tank lol

 

[thomas.torode]

With proper husbandry (water changes, etc) you'll need only a few testers, depending on if you dose. Don't dose what you don't test. Basically, you just need a refractometer and something to test cal, alk, etc. No copper tester needed...don't use copper in your sps tank lol

People across the internet got me a little confused on all of this. Thanks for helping me clear it up!

 

[Johnnybgood74]

People across the internet got me a little confused on all of this. Thanks for helping me clear it up!

That's the hardest part of this hobby...what works for some won't always work for others...there's a plethora of information out there alot of it conflicting..


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[thomas.torode]

That's the hardest part of this hobby...what works for some won't always work for others...there's a plethora of information out there alot of it conflicting..


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I will keep that in mind.

 

[nereefpat]

No need for the potassium nor copper test kits.

Most people will recommend Mg test kit if you are keeping corals. You will mainly keep track of alk and Ca in a reef tank. If you are having trouble keeping those in line, sometimes Mg is the issue, and a test kit can help you determine if this is the case.

 

[thomas.torode]

No need for the potassium nor copper test kits.

Most people will recommend Mg test kit if you are keeping corals. You will mainly keep track of alk and Ca in a reef tank. If you are having trouble keeping those in line, sometimes Mg is the issue, and a test kit can help you determine if this is the case.

Good to know! Thank you

 

[homer1475]

I use nitrate, phosphate, alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium. With weekly 10% WC, any depleted trace elements should be replaced.

Only time you need a copper test kit is if your using copper as part of a hospital routine.

 

[Gladmaker]

Only time you need a copper test kit is if your using copper as part of a hospital routine.

Or if your source water runs through copper pipe.

 

[homer1475]

Or if your source water runs through copper pipe.

Doesn't matter if your using RO/DI.

 

[Gladmaker]

Doesn't matter if your using RO/DI.

Agree

 

[anthonys51]

Or if your source water runs through copper pipe.

This is why we use rodi.

Ps I probably wouldn't drink the water either


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[anthonys51]

You will need bare minimum these test to run sps tank.
Alk once a week test
Low range Nitrates once a week
Low range phosphates once a week
Calcium once every 3 weeks if dosing 2 part
Mag once a month
Potassium is a trace element many believes will bring out colors. If you dose then you need to test for it. But as others said 10 % water changes once a week should be good enough

Cooper should never be added to a reef tank will kill everything so no reason to test for it


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[Sk8r]

After you get stable and where you want things, you can get by fairly well on simple dip-and-test strips for nitrate/ammonia. (set nitrate at 'trace')---and beyond that, primarily track alkalinity, and test for calcium and magnesium. The ratio I use is 8.3 alk, 420 cal, 1350 mg. If your mg is that, kalk powder in the topoff water will keep the other two rock-steady, until your reef gets hungrier than your evaporation rate can push it.

 

[GimpyFin]

I agree, the 3 you will primarily watch are alk, cal, and mag once your tank is somewhat established. Phosphate and Nitrate are good to watch too if you are having issues keeping them low or other possibly related problems (Hair algae, corals browning, etc.) Copper is really only useful if you are using copper meds in a qt, and even then it needs to be the correct type of test kit depending on whether you are using ionic or chelated copper. You don't need to test potassium.