110 Build Thread

[bknapp]

Testing Day
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]
Calc(Hanna): 483[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]*Calc:425[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Alk(Hanna): 148=8.2[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]*Alk:9.5[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]*Mag:1100[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]*Nitrate:0[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]pH:8.05 (ReefKeeper)[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]SG:1.025 (C-Scope Refractometer)

*Denotes RedSea Pro test Kit

How does everything look? Depending on which Calcium and Alkalinity reading you look at either it is high or right about right. Which would you consider closer the Hanna Checker or the RedSea Pro kit?[/FONT]

 

[schooleyosis]

Looks like you need a third brand of test kit to rule out the bad one. LOL I'd think the RedSea is more accurate personally. I test my Redsea test kits against a cheapy API test kit from time to time and they both match.

I think your params look fine. Magnesium is a tad low but not that bad. I've read and try to keep my MAG between 1300-1500

What kind of salt you using?

 

[bknapp]

I am using Red Sea Salt, I always have aimed for Mg around 1200. Don't need to spend anymore on test kits, LOL. With the exception of a phosphate checker.

 

[schooleyosis]

I can bring mine over this weekend potentially to test against yours if ya'd like me too. I am still figuring out where the params should be at so that was just a suggestion. Maybe I'll try and run my MAG a little lower....

 

[bknapp]

That would be awesome Ryan.

 

[schooleyosis]

Where about do you live? To the best of my knowledge my Saturday afternoon is free.

 

[sluicebox]

Looks like you need a third brand of test kit to rule out the bad one. LOL I'd think the RedSea is more accurate personally. I test my Redsea test kits against a cheapy API test kit from time to time and they both match.

I think your params look fine. Magnesium is a tad low but not that bad. I've read and try to keep my MAG between 1300-1500

What kind of salt you using?

My experience with the Red Sea Mg test kit is that it is always high as compared with Salifert and Sea Chem. Usually 100 ppm high or more. I have confidence in the Red Sea NO3 kit....I think it is the best.

Also, my Hanna Ca tester is always high but I think there has been a lot of complaints about that kit.

Maybe I spend too much on test kits but the parameters seem to be a big part of this hobby and I like to have confidence in the kit I am using. So, I tend to go with kits that agree. They may both be inaccurate but that gives me some level of confidence.

 

[schooleyosis]

I like what Bob just stated. I think parameters have a range that will work but each range for each tank is going to be different. I think the overall scope is to keep things STABLE!

 

[bknapp]

Yeah, I agree. Stability within the accepted range is whats most important. I am just running tests to see where I am currently at so once I get enough good sized corals I can start to get my dosing pumps hooked up and running.

How high do you guess the Hanna Ca checker is? I am debating on getting the phosphate checker. What makes you like the Salifert Mag test kit? Is that the one you would suggest? I think good test kits are an important thing to have in this hobby.

I should be free sometime Saturday afternoon/early evening, have to work this Saturday for a few hours to get next Friday off, the one Saturday during the year I have to work.

 

[sluicebox]

Yeah, I agree. Stability within the accepted range is whats most important. I am just running tests to see where I am currently at so once I get enough good sized corals I can start to get my dosing pumps hooked up and running.

How high do you guess the Hanna Ca checker is? I am debating on getting the phosphate checker. What makes you like the Salifert Mag test kit? Is that the one you would suggest? I think good test kits are an important thing to have in this hobby.

I should be free sometime Saturday afternoon/early evening, have to work this Saturday for a few hours to get next Friday off, the one Saturday during the year I have to work.

I believe my Hanna Ca is off by more than 100 ppm at times as compared to Salifert and Sea Chem which agree within 20 ppm.

I like the Salifert Mg test kit because it is a simplier test procedure than the Sea Chem but both kits agree in results.

I like the Hanna UL Phosphate meter and their Alk meter. It is just their Ca meter that I have read a lot of complaints about high readings and then experienced it myself.

 

[schooleyosis]

Well... When we tested yesterday my RedSea and API test kits showed his ALK at 9 but the Hanna showed 10.something I believe. The calcium Hanna checker was spot on with the RedSea test kit.

In the past, I have tested my cheapy API test kit against the more expensive RedSea kits and they were very, very close. I think in the future I'll just purchase API due to costs, and they are easier to use in my opinion. Plus I don't need to know if my ALK is at say 8.8 versus just 9. Get me close and I'm good with that!

 

[bknapp]

Here is a quick update:

Testing results:
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Calc(Hanna): 447[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Alk(Hanna): 7.84[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Mag:800[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Nitrate:0[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]pH:8[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]SG:1.025

I have a Hanna Phosphate checker on order as well as a Salifert Nitrate test. Who makes the best Mag test?

Screen tops (now wrasse safe!):
Left side:
[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]
Right side:
[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]
FTS:
[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]A long way to go, but its a start.

I need to mix up some magnesium to bump it up.[/FONT]

 

[schooleyosis]

I use a RedSea test kit for MAG and it is pretty good. I have no issues with it. Nice screen tops!

 

[bknapp]

I use a RedSea test kit for MAG and it is pretty good. I have no issues with it. Nice screen tops!

Thats what I used, guess I am just in a weird testing kit phase, trying to do this right this time. Its an easy test to perform I hope it is a good test.

Props to Dale for the screens.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Looks good. I have a similar screen top and I hate it! LOL!

 

[bknapp]

Looks good. I have a similar screen top and I hate it! LOL!

It might end up being a pain but I'd rather be annoyed than see a fish flopping on the floor.

 

[Dowtish]

Salifert mag test is easy to use. But i hear the seachem test for mag is more reliable . Nice screens. Time for wrasses!

Typed from my phone, because I have nothing better to do.

 

[bknapp]

Salifert mag test is easy to use. But i hear the seachem test for mag is more reliable . Nice screens. Time for wrasses!

Which do you use Chris? Do you like it? Yes, it's wrasse time, I wanna get one of those that Mr. Saltwatertank has up for sale, but funds may not allow that.

 

[angrycubano]

Brandon, it's looking tight dawg

 

[Dowtish]

Which do you use Chris? Do you like it? Yes, it's wrasse time, I wanna get one of those that Mr. Saltwatertank has up for sale, but funds may not allow that.

I use the Salifert, but my reading are always really high no matter what, so I never really test for Mag anymore. I have been wanting to try the seachem test though. It was recommended by Rick and Daniel.