Testing advise needed

[TJFitz1980]

i have recently set up a 40 gal FOWLR tank.

I need advise on which test kit I need and what tests do I need to focus on. My LFS advised me I have already passed the cycling of the tank.

For the ease of the kit and price I am thinking the API kit however i have read a few that seem to stray away from it. Now I might be seeing this due to these members are doing a reef set up.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advanced

 

[MaiReef]

IMO...Focus on Nitrates, Phosphates, Salinity(hydrometer is good enough) and pH. You can get individual tests or strips and test once a week, but then once established and as long as you keep steady water changes, you will be able to tell from overall health and maybe once a month testing. These parameters will let you know about nutrient build up for algae and general toxicity. Depending upon your water(other testing parameters) the pH may not fluctuate much so you will not need addition tests. That is my opinion after 25+ years in the hobby. Health of a tank comes from watching and consistency, not just testing parameters that you may or may not know what they mean anyway(neither does a bunch of other hobbyists).

 

[TJFitz1980]

Thank you. I'm fearful that if I see a number off a bit I'll panic try to fix it add a chemical and throw something else off!

Would you say that the API saltwater test kit would be fine?

 

[ebushrow]

IMO i think the API kit is probably fine for your needs....if the PH is 8.1 and the kit reads 8.3....its usually not a huge issue....if you want to keep delicate fish, I would go with a better kit such as Salifert.

As stated above as long as you keep diligent on maintenance you should be good to go. I would suggest the reef kit so that you have phosphate and nitrate tests....if you go with the standard saltwater test kit you will have ammonia and nitrite tests which will be pretty useless after the tank has already been cycled.

Also, be careful to check the exp. date on the reagents as these will really skew the results sometimes.

 

[MaiReef]

API is fine, and I agree with the reef kit, but definitely check pH and Salinity.

 

[Brew12]

Thank you. I'm fearful that if I see a number off a bit I'll panic try to fix it add a chemical and throw something else off!

Would you say that the API saltwater test kit would be fine?

With a FOWLR, you really need to think twice if you are doing anything other than a water change.

If you use good rock and substrate in your tank, you can get away with only testing Nitrate. Just be prepared to take a water sample to your LFS if something goes wrong. If you don't have a fish store close by, or prefer to do your own testing, you will want the pH and phosphate kits.

 

[TJFitz1980]

Great information!

So you have an idea my tank is 40 gal. I plan on doing biweekly water changes of about 3 gallons.

Filtering : currently I have 2 penguin 200s. I'm going to pull the factory filter media and replace with a filter pad to catch larger particles. The in media bags I will have chemi-pure, purigen and matrix carbon.

I'm picking up a eshopps psk100h this weekend.

From what I take from your responses I need to focus on...
Salinity
pH
Nitrates
Phosphates
Then...ammonia and nitrite

 

[TJFitz1980]

LFS is a 30 min drive for me. I like the idea of watching my own testing.

I do have live sand but not a thick bed. I do not have a lot of live rock as I want an open tank.

 

[Brew12]

Great information!

So you have an idea my tank is 40 gal. I plan on doing biweekly water changes of about 3 gallons.

Filtering : currently I have 2 penguin 200s. I'm going to pull the factory filter media and replace with a filter pad to catch larger particles. The in media bags I will have chemi-pure, purigen and matrix carbon.

I'm picking up a eshopps psk100h this weekend.

From what I take from your responses I need to focus on...
Salinity
pH
Nitrates
Phosphates
Then...ammonia and nitrite

I can tell you that my tank is 2 1/2 months old and I haven't tested for ammonia or nitrite since week 3. I've tested Nitrates once in the last 30 days. I have tested Phosphates a few times because of my algae, but that is common in a new tank.
I read pH real time with a probe.
Getting a good refractometer for salinity is almost a must imo. I don't have good luck with the swing arm hydrometers.