Water Testing... When? What? How?

[Mr.Robot]

Tank: Fluval Sea Evo 13.5


Hello Everyone!:smiling-face-with-sunglasses:

I am just starting and looking at my first weekly water cycle in 2 days since the addition of my two clownfish and two corals (Xenia and Zoas).
I realize that my only knowledge regarding my water is to change 20% every 7-10 days and that I have water test strips to ensure levels are in range.

However, I do not know

When I should be testing my water?​

How often should I perform the test?​

Do I test more often if I have a lot of Coral than fish (or vice versa)?​

Where should I get my water sample from (top of the tank, middle, near the nozzle?​

​

What digital testers I should look into buying?​

How much is 'too much' ($$$) for a tester for a 13.5-gallon tank?​

Is it smart to get a 'smart' device that automatical measures everything and can alert you?​

​

How do I fix each parameter (if needed)?​

What additives do I need to buy to have at the ready?​

When should I add them?​

How do I determine how much to add?​

How do I add them? (Just dump the amount into the tank?)​

​

I know they are not the best but these are the test strips I currently have: Imagitarium 6-IN-1 Aquarium Test Strips (Test for pH, alkalinity, water hardness, chlorine, nitrites & nitrates) and Imagitarium Ammonia Test Strips.

Hope this is not too much to ask at once.
Thank you all in advance!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Tank: Fluval Sea Evo 13.5


Hello Everyone!:smiling-face-with-sunglasses:

I am just starting and looking at my first weekly water cycle in 2 days since the addition of my two clownfish and two corals (Xenia and Zoas).
I realize that my only knowledge regarding my water is to change 20% every 7-10 days and that I have water test strips to ensure levels are in range.

However, I do not know

When I should be testing my water?​

How often should I perform the test?​

Do I test more often if I have a lot of Coral than fish (or vice versa)?​

Where should I get my water sample from (top of the tank, middle, near the nozzle?​

​

What digital testers I should look into buying?​

How much is 'too much' ($$$) for a tester for a 13.5-gallon tank?​

Is it smart to get a 'smart' device that automatical measures everything and can alert you?​

​

How do I fix each parameter (if needed)?​

What additives do I need to buy to have at the ready?​

When should I add them?​

How do I determine how much to add?​

How do I add them? (Just dump the amount into the tank?)​

​

I know they are not the best but these are the test strips I currently have: Imagitarium 6-IN-1 Aquarium Test Strips (Test for pH, alkalinity, water hardness, chlorine, nitrites & nitrates) and Imagitarium Ammonia Test Strips.

Hope this is not too much to ask at once.
Thank you all in advance!

Seek Hanna or salifert brand for closest accuracy