Newbie trhing to understand what I will need to monitor.

[Coxey81]

So I am really just learning about the hobby and what it takes to monitor and keep a tank in balance.

What all needs to be monitored for each type of tank... Fish Only, FOWLR, and Reef tank?

Salinity, Temp, pH, ORP (although I'm not sure I understand exactly what this all entails) I know can be monitored with the APEX. What else needs to be for each type of tank and what's the best/easiest ways?

The most I ever plan to have is softies and LPS, if that makes a difference.

Calcium
Alkalinity
Magnesium
Phophate
Amonia
Nitrate NO2
Nitrate NO3

Thanks!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Fish only:
Temperature
Salinity
Ph
Ammonia
Nitrate

fish with live rock, add:
Phosphate
Calcium

reef with fish:
All the above Plus-
Alk
Magnesium

 

[Coxey81]

Awesome thank you so much!

Any advice on how often I need to test for those? Hand test kits or digital devices?

 

[Gtinnel]

I use a Trident on my Apex, but the other tests I usually do once a week