I am currently getting my tank established. It is cycled and I am slowly but surely adding cleanup crew, at present. I'm a ways off from adding coral and am inclined towards SPS. So with that intro...
I know I don't want to go forward with API tests. They are too guessy. I have already aquired a Hanna alkalinity tester and feel much better about what is going on there - I'd had alkalinity through the roof but pH falling. I've now got alkalinity under control and pH stabilized. Now I'm learning to tweak and the Hanna tester has helped immensely.
So what tester do I acquire next? I am using up API through my various cyclings as I add each new fish. I see so many things say that ammonia doesn't matter in an established aquarium, but ... I can't wrap my head around that one. I'm inclined towards either pH or a salinity/TDS tester. Am I on the right track thinking to work toward those? I want to have all quality testers in hand before I start adding coral.
I'm looking for opinions....but also the reason "why".
I know I don't want to go forward with API tests. They are too guessy. I have already aquired a Hanna alkalinity tester and feel much better about what is going on there - I'd had alkalinity through the roof but pH falling. I've now got alkalinity under control and pH stabilized. Now I'm learning to tweak and the Hanna tester has helped immensely.
So what tester do I acquire next? I am using up API through my various cyclings as I add each new fish. I see so many things say that ammonia doesn't matter in an established aquarium, but ... I can't wrap my head around that one. I'm inclined towards either pH or a salinity/TDS tester. Am I on the right track thinking to work toward those? I want to have all quality testers in hand before I start adding coral.
I'm looking for opinions....but also the reason "why".