Top Three Parameters

[Mastiffsrule]

That makes sense.
Alk is a better parameter to test?

I never test Ph. Once I know I am getting consistent readings on PH I do not expect it to change. I focus on keeping AlK consistent. Big swings in ALk is what I want to avoid.

 

[xxkenny90xx]

What do you use to test PH?

I haven't tested ph in many years. Temp and salinity is extremely important though. For my fish only I test temp and salinity only. For my reef it's temp, salinity, phos, cal, alk, and mag once every month or two. Don't follow my lead though, my tank is 10yrs old and very stable.

 

[BTimms]

For a coral tank, I would recommend required tests in order of importance:

Salinity
Alkalinity
Calcium
Magnesium
Nitrste
Phosphate

So that’s 6. Eliminate any 3 of those and you’re playing with fire. pH is good to know, but I don’t consider it required.

Is alk more import than PH?

 

[BTimms]

I haven't tested ph in many years. Temp and salinity is extremely important though. For my fish only I test temp and salinity only. For my reef it's temp, salinity, phos, cal, alk, and mag once every month or two. Don't follow my lead though, my tank is 10yrs old and very stable.

This is great info. I’m looking for the main params to test and balance.

 

[BTimms]

What test/device do you all use or recommend to test alk?

 

[hds4216]

What test/device do you all use or recommend to test alk?

If you want to spend, the Hanna alk checker is by far the easiest. If not, Salifert and Red Sea are best.

 

[DivingTheWorld]

Is alk more import than PH?

yes

 

[DivingTheWorld]

What test/device do you all use or recommend to test alk?

Hanna. It's very accurate and easy to use. After the initial device purchase, the reagents cost about the same as Salifert or Red Sea.

 

[zalick]

I currently test Alk, Ca, Mg, Nitrate, Phosphate, temp and salinity. I have to dose nitrate and phosphate too. If I'm going to dose it, I test for that. I use hanna testers wherever possible because I'm colorblind and can't read the color matching charts.

But.....

For the first 10yrs I tested salinity with a swing arm during a water change. I had a glass thermometer and may tank temp swung from 77-82ish. I never tested anything else. I gave squirt of two part and a squirt of iodine here and there if I "felt" the tank needed it. That tank absolutely thrived. Softies, LPS and clams grew like gangbusters. Never a hint of algae or any other algae like pest.

So what do you "need" to test? I guess it all depends.... ;Wideyed;Wideyed;Wideyed

 

[Backreefing]

I’m sps dominate reef, I check : 1 saltinity 2 temperature 3 alkalinity if you want a fourth it would be phosphate

 

[1guydude]

Alk over ph.
Youll see readings of 7.8 all day. 8-8.1 is desired. I think its the tests.

I can not stress enough a refractometer and calibration seawater solution.

D