What tests should i do?

[djcool563]

Ok i have to make a decision. I can buy 2 test kits for my new sps reef. Now i need to decide between calcium,alk,and phosphate. I have all the other basic ones i just need to know what 2 are the most important of the 3? Thanks
DJ

 

[clkwrk]

alk and calcium.

 

[minimalist]

Buy either alk or Ca. If you keep one on target, the other will fall into line through their inverse relationship.

 

[twon8]

i say cal and alk. they are much more important, and any phosphate test you buy under $90 is not going to be accurate enough to be worth it. I feel algae growth is a better measurement of phosphate.

 

[Ramble On Rose]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6767708#post6767708 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by minimalist
Buy either alk or Ca. If you keep one on target, the other will fall into line through their inverse relationship.

I think that depends largely on how you are supplimenting alk and calc. Personally I could not live (well, my SPS probably could not live) without both.

 

[minimalist]

You're probably right. I'm not speaking from experience, only through research.

 

[djcool563]

Ok so cal and alk it is then is this a good choice?

 

[VCoo71]

CA and Alk ......salifert!

charlie

 

[samsfishnchips]

here same

CA and Alk

minimalist, even though you are correct, tried to dial in a calcium reactor measuring calc alone, and you will have a mess,

or how can you detect, worse yet, correct alk and calc imbalances,

Solving Calcium and Alkalinity Problems

based on research, on phosphates there are different kinds so like stated anything less than 90 buck, and it won't help at all,
I would rely more on the front cleaness time more,

sam