Water testing

[ChrisB4]

Just getting my tank set up. It's been a long time since I've had a marine tank and I'm not sure what tests I should buy and which brands are best. I bought a 5 gallon tank for dwarf seahorses.

Here are the parameters (taken from Seahorse Savvy website), how many of these actually are crucial to test (other than SG and temp)?

Parameter	recommended level
specific gravity	1.020-1.025
pH	8.1-8.4
alkalinity	8-12 Dkh
aMMONIA (nh3)	UNDETECTABLE
NITRITE (no2)	UNDETECTABLE
nITRATE (no3)	(IDEALLY UNDETECTABLE) <25 PPM
PHOSPHATE (PO4)	(IDEALLY UNDETECTABLE) <0.2 PPM
cALCIUM	350-450 PPM
MAGNESIUM	1250-1350 PPM
TEMPERATURE	70-74 F

 

[roc1hmr]

For salinity, phosphates and nitrates I would suggest Hanna testers. For alk, cal, mag, Red Sea or Salifert. Good luck!

 

[ThePurple12]

Nitrate is probably the only other one you need to test, especially if you want macroalgae.

 

[ChrisB4]

Nitrate is probably the only other one you need to test, especially if you want macroalgae.

Any recommendations on brands for that one?

 

[ThePurple12]

Doesn't matter too much, but I use Salifert