Testing Necessary with Easy LPS?

[TateLitts]

Hey all,

I’m currently planning my first reef tank.... will definitely go the softie route + maybe an easy euphyllia. Many people say you don’t necessarily need to test Ca, Mg, or Alk for softies if you’re performing regular water changes (Red Sea Coral Pro Salt) but what if I toss in an easy LPS? I wouldn’t bother in a larger tank, but the tank is a 10 gallon so any depletion is slightly more significant. Is it worth the $50? Or could I just go to a LFS if I think something is wrong?

 

[abw75]

Coral Pro have high KH for fast sps grow ( as rs claims). Softies wont use mg, ca but will not do well in too clean tanks. Probably should test for no3 & po4

 

[Kfactor]

I think no matter what corals you have you should be testing it’s a good habit to have

 

[reefwiser]

LPS uptake calcium and all so that testing is required. To maintain proper levels. Once corals start look bad. It is in many cases too late for you to “FIX IT”. In an 10 gallon you have no margin of error at all. In fact the 10 gallon size magnifies the issues you can have in a small volume of water. The salinity
Level is most important also.

 

[TateLitts]

I suppose dumping money into corals w/o proper precautions may not be the best option. Doable? Yes, but headaches should be avoided!