Salifert Carbonate Hardness & Alkalinity (Kh/Alk) Test Kit?

[PolypPocket]

So I have the API reef test kit which I’ve been told is inferior. ChatGPT told me the most important upgrade would be the alkalinity test kit from salifert first, then calcium then magnesium once I have corals.

My tank is new, about a month old and still cycling so I’ve only been testing for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate (and salinity of course). There’s nothing in it yet but rock and some macro algae. But going forward for corals are these the tests I need? Does API suck that bad?

Edit: I should say that in my micro tank that’s already mostly cycled (a different one) I just added zoas and a few other corals so I will need to be testing like yesterday. Again I do test with the API but who knows if it’s accurate.

 

[Justfebreezeit]

You don't need to test Alk. Calcium and magnesium until you start getting into lps and sps corals.

Your routine water changes will keep everything in line while you have softies.

However it might be a good habit to get into testing.

Nitrate and phosphate are the other two important ones.

I use hanna checkers for alk and po4. And salifert for calcium and Nitrate. I only test magnesium once a year or so.

 

[PolypPocket]

You don't need to test Alk. Calcium and magnesium until you start getting into lps and sps corals.

Your routine water changes will keep everything in one while you have softies.

However it might be a good habit to get into testing.

Nitrate and phosphate are the other two important ones.

I use hanna checkers for alk and po4. And salifert for calcium and Nitrate. I only test magnesium once a year or so.

I have a phosphate test kit (it’s API). But let me tell you what I have in there so you can tell me what I need to be watching for in terms of parameters (if it differs from what you just said). Right now I’m using pre mixed saltwater from the fish store but I also have instant ocean reef crystals here that I can mix up.

Zoas, blastos, Florida Ricordea & acan.

But the place I ordered from sent me two “surprise” corals that I ultimately plan on moving to the big tank. A green acro and a chalice. I wouldn’t have chosen those because I wanted “easy” ones but I’m going to try to keep them and if it seems like they’re unhappy I will trade or give them to someone else. I’m attaching photos of those. Ignore the Xenia, that’s going in the other tank soon too.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

So I have the API reef test kit which I’ve been told is inferior. ChatGPT told me the most important upgrade would be the alkalinity test kit from salifert first, then calcium then magnesium once I have corals.

My tank is new, about a month old and still cycling so I’ve only been testing for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate (and salinity of course). There’s nothing in it yet but rock and some macro algae. But going forward for corals are these the tests I need? Does API suck that bad?

Edit: I should say that in my micro tank that’s already mostly cycled (a different one) I just added zoas and a few other corals so I will need to be testing like yesterday. Again I do test with the API but who knows if it’s accurate.

I do not recommend magnesium testing. It is too inaccurate to guide dosing. Dose magnesium when you dose calcium.

If you use a product like All for Reef for alk and calcium, just testing alkalinity is fine and is what I do.

 

[PolypPocket]

So I have the API reef test kit which I’ve been told is inferior. ChatGPT told me the most important upgrade would be the alkalinity test kit from salifert first, then calcium then magnesium once I have corals.

My tank is new, about a month old and still cycling so I’ve only been testing for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate (and salinity of course). There’s nothing in it yet but rock and some macro algae. But going forward for corals are these the tests I need? Does API suck that bad?

Edit: I should say that in my micro tank that’s already mostly cycled (a different one) I just added zoas and a few other corals so I will need to be testing like yesterday. Again I do test with the API but who knows if it’s accurate.

I do not recommend magnesium testing. It is too inaccurate to guide dosing. Dose magnesium when you dose calcium.

If you use a product like All for Reef for alk and calcium, just testing alkalinity is fine and is what I do.

Ok so I won’t worry about that then, thank you!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Ok so I won’t worry about that then, thank you!

You're welcome.

Happy Reefing. :)