Tests

[PSreef75]

I just did my weekly testing and my nitrates and nitrites are at zero I have never seen this before?

 

[Rocks reef]

What test kits are you using?
Are you also testing phosphates.
Testing for nitrites is not necessary in saltwater as the chloride in saltwater makes nitrite inert to saltwater fish.
However, nitrate is a different story.

 

[PSreef75]

I am using the API master test kit I am only testing PH, Ammonia, Nitrites, and Nitrates. I am new and have been researching better test kits. I had no idea Nitrites were not necessary. Thank you I am definitely in the learning curve.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Can you describe the tank, like age, etc

 

[PSreef75]

It is approx 2 months old cycled for a month then added fish, coral, rocks from one of my other tanks.

 

[Rocks reef]

Ok. For starters, if you can at least get Salifert tests for nitrate (NO3) and phosphate (PO4). We can start from there. API are known for being innaccurate.
How many corals are in your tank?
How many fish are in your tank?
How much rock is in your tank? Was the rock taken from a well established system or a fairly new one?
Have you dosed any kind of bacteria or carbon source?

 

[PSreef75]

I have about 10 small corals 2 pajama cardinals 3 damsels 3 shrimp snails and hermit crabs. My rock is from an established tank and some new ones from LFS. I have definitely heard that API is not the best and have been thinking about either Salifert or Red Sea. Sounds like my best bet is to get a better test kit first.

 

[Rocks reef]

That would be what I would do first sir. Also, what size is the tank? I don't think I've seen it in the thread.

 

[PSreef75]

Is the Salifert reef master test kit good it does magnesium, KH/Alk, PH, Nitrate, Calcium, and Phosphate. Is I. Necessary to test all these parameters?

 

[Rocks reef]

The only salifert kit I use is for mag, which I very rarely test since I follow @Randy Holmes-Farley methods of dosing his DIY two part. The rest of my testers are Hanna. I use the Nitrate HR, phosphate ULR, calcium and alk.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Alkalinity is the number one priority.

Depending on how you supplement alk, you may not need calcium and I don’t recommend testing magnesium.

Phosphate and nitrate can be useful.

I would not measure pH with a kit.

Nitrite is not needed. Ammonia only when cycling.

 

[rishma]

Agree. Alk is most useful.

I like phosphate and nitrate too.

Haven’t done any other home tests is a very long time. Except salinity of new water

 

[PSreef75]

That would be what I would do first sir. Also, what size is the tank? I don't think I've seen it in the thread.

It is 110 gallon

 

[PSreef75]

Thank you all for such good feedback looks like I need to get these 3 Salifert test kits and see what my water looks like from there.