Water Testing

F

Futurecanadian

New member
Hey guys,

I am horrible about testing my water. I only test for nitrates, nitrites, ammonia, and PH. I see all of these posts, about testing oxygen, calcium, alkalinity, and such and I have no clue how to do these tests or which kits to buy to do them.

Is there a service I can pay to do these tests and advise me on how to maintain proper water quality? If so, hook me up with the info. I am just not sure which tests I need to be doing, how often, and with what tools.

Let me know if you are near 44118 and know of a h20 tester or want to do it for cash. Thanks
 
for about $30 you can get an Aquarium Pharm Reef Test kit. These will give you pH, Kh, Nitrate, and Ammonia. You can add a Calcium kit for another $7. These will give you the basics for water testing. They are SUPER easy to use and are relatively cheap. Some will bash their accuracy, but they will get you in the right ball park. Even if they have a +/- of 20%, you'll know where you stand, and where to pay attention. OOOOOORRRRRRRRRR, you can buy individual Salifert, or Elos kits. They are a bit spendy, but still relatively easy to use and likely more accurate.
 
I am going to take your advice and order the kits. I guess there is no better time to learn than now. Thanks guys. It ain't easy being reef-tarded.

ShawnPaul
 
why not test it yourself? if you are serious about this hobby you should learn to test the water. it takes 30 secs max to test for alk, a little more for cal mg and nitrates. the time you take to drive to AT and pay for them i would buy a decent kit like salifert and give it a shot. Junk kits = junk results and will add to your frustration in the long run.
 
Thanks a ton guys. I will give it a run on my own (although being questioned about my seriousness isnt that cool, Afterall, I am a newby and havnt grown to trust myself yet).

I will try to get a good kit over the next week. Thanks guys.
 
we all started like you did. i still consider myself a newbie. Just trying to help you get started on a sound footing. As for the seriousness we are all serious to some extent if we hang out on these forums.

Wish you the very best of luck!!
 
Shawn Paul:

If I may be a bit presumptuous, might I also recommend that you get a copy of The Conscientious Marine Aquarist by Robert Fenner. It is available thru the Cuyahoga County Library or can be purchased on Amazon.com It is a phenomenally easy to read book that contains an amazing ammount of info for the newby and old salt alike. It has excellent descriptions of various water parameters, how and why to test.

Great book that is easy reading and FUN.

Hope this is helpful.

Stan
 
Thanks Stan. I will order it.

Brunstucky: I do not see any ich on anything, but my Morpho did die, so who knows... The cleaner shrimp seem to be keepign the rest of the tank healthy and clean!
 
If you want to get in the ball park you can also use the salt water kits from A.P.I. Gives you the basic four: Nitrites, nitrates, P.H. and ammonia. They also make a reef test kit that gives you calcium, alkilinity, phosphates and nitrates. They sell for around 32-36.00 ea. at almost any lfs. They are simple to use and easy to read instructions. Good luck choosing the right one for you.
 
Thanks guys. I already had the API kit, but its a bit too basic. I ended up going with all ELOS kits and I got Phophate, Nitrate, Calcium and Alkalinity... We will see what I get next.
 
Have not used them, let me know how you like them. Post your results, like to see how you were doing flying blind.
 
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