You better get that checked out bro

[RiOnRoxXx]

Word up, thanks for the insight Johnny. I've never really been concerned with my levels as mentioned earlier I was just doing water changes and stopping there. Just this round of testing gave me some ballpark numbers.

Will I react differently beyond my water change routine? Probably not. My tank seems pretty cool for the time being. Colors and polyp extension are beyond my expectations I'm pretty stoked I've been able to keep SPS. All my prior tanks have been softies ran under PC lights pretty much. But eventually I would like to slowly dial in a two-part dosing system. Well that's the goal haha. One thing I love about a tank as small as mine, things like water consistant water changes works wonders and is easy on the pocket book.


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[sfexplicit]

Hey man that's one of the best things you can do is keep a watchful eye on your tank inhabitants.

 

[plankton]

Agreed...the best indicator of a happy coral is growth, color and polyp extension... Also agree that chasing absolute numbers is absolutely foolish...as is making abrumpt changes to 'fix' a number...

I'd still watch the alk <grin>

PS Going back to the original question, yeah water testing discussion is always a good idea since we all want to know what has worked in a fellow reefers tank vs what doesn't. e.g. Does dosing Iodine/Iodide really benefit xenia in a tank? If so, what is the 'therapeutic' dose? Does dosing strontium really stimulate coralline algae growth? If so, how much? Does Magnesium levels really allow higher concentrations of dissolved calcium which leads to higher calcificiation rates? If so, what level: 1400, 1500, 1600ppm? etc etc etc

Scott

 

[plankton]

I routinely monitor only four valves : tank temp, pH, salinity and Alk. The first three are displayed on my controller. The last is measured via a Salifert test kit (supposedly a newer one that doesn't measure high) and is so ridiculously easy to do and inexpensive I'd feel guilty not doing it. AND, over the last 13 years of reefkeeping two of the four tank crashes I've had were because of Alk crashes! The other two were because of : running skimmer too wet which resulted in my topoff dropping salinity too quickly; the last because a fish splashed a DE pendent, breaking the UV filter and steralizing most of my tank with UV light. [by the way over dosing UV or ozone for that matter works REALLY well at killing pretty much everything in your tank]

Have we done a "Who's done the stupidest thing to crash their tank?" thread yet? That might be a good one...

Scott

 

[RiOnRoxXx]

Interesting read about test kits:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1949700

 

[Suohhen]

I could have sworn I posted something here yesterday, but I got a PM from a mod about an image that I posted being against the rules, this was in a different thread. I guess they must have deleted the post here as well. I will have to assume it was in error since I can hardly see how test kits are offensive. Then again I am also at a loss as to how a Nazi percula clownfish is in violation of rules against political images. I guess I will have to find a new image that portrays just how evil clownfish really are.

 

[reefgeek31]

Well I must agree 100% with Brian i have watched a r/c totm crash to point of tear down and rebuild chasing numbers. Find a level you are happy with and stay there make changes as slow as you possible can. Always get a new kit before the old one runs out to make sure you can maintain the same level. I wouldnt personelly worry what that number was to much but just keep it exact. The longer a tank is set up and stable the more sensitive it is to change. I have seen guys that never did anything right and kinda did what ever fit there time line and have nice tanks. If you want a tank that is over the top and amazing then remember what Dom preaches. SPS= Stability Produces Success. If you dont believe look at the person telling the storys tank. I would never use anything execpt Elos and LaMotte just like Brian said. Man this site has really grown up! Great topic and lots of great info and exper.

 

[plankton]

@reefgeek31 (aka Abe) - Does this mean you are setting up a tank again? You are back in?

PS Let me know if there is ever a good buy or group buy on Elos test kits. I've love to get a set but man they are expensive...

Scott

 

[reefgeek31]

No no tank for me for atleast another year! Talk with your sponsors they can work something out for sure.