What do you use for to monitor your tanks water parameters ?

[reefah]

I want to eventually get some nifty auto system that connects to WiFi and shows me all my tank info but currently I just use Hanna checkers. What do you reefers use to monitor your tanks water parameters?

 

[dvgyfresh]

Hanna and api lol

 

[Jekyl]

Salifert for parameters, ATC refractometer with calibration liquid for salinity. Inkbird and 2 heaters.

 

[MnFish1]

I want to eventually get some nifty auto system that connects to WiFi and shows me all my tank info but currently I just use Hanna checkers. What do you reefers use to monitor your tanks water parameters?

I use Api - I know its heresy - but I get general results - i.e. in my tank I dont care if the alkalinity is 8.3 or 8.6 I just want to Make sure its not 'low' or extremely high. I found hanna checkers to be expensive, cumbersome - not all that accurate etc. But -whatever you use to test - if you come up with an unexpected result - I recommend retesting with another test kit.

 

[MnFish1]

I use Api - I know its heresy - but I get general results - i.e. in my tank I dont care if the alkalinity is 8.3 or 8.6 I just want to Make sure its not 'low' or extremely high. I found hanna checkers to be expensive, cumbersome - not all that accurate etc. But -whatever you use to test - if you come up with an unexpected result - I recommend retesting with another test kit.

BTW - the reason for this - is simple (IMHO) - what is going to change alkalinity quickly - Perhaps a problem with a doser or some other mistake - in that case - you might need multiple tests (or perhaps - as in my case - where my xxxx controller dosed 1 liter of BRS Ca and Alk in a short time) - I just rode it out. SPS - mostly dead. But - after 6 months coming back. We will see

 

[MaxTremors]

Test kits (Hanna, Salifert, tropic Marin), refractometer, multiple thermometers. I keep a spread sheet of all maintenance, dosing, inhabitants, etc.

 

[Conchman]

Sailfert, a float salinity checker-been using the style since the 80's, 2 thermometers...and document in a spreadsheet. Check at least once a week, if not twice, on the big ones...sometimes, too much tech, too many issues.

 

[Gtinnel]

Apex with trident, Hanna, and red Sea test kits. For salinity I have a Hanna digital tester, Milwaukee digital refractometer, and a cheap optical refractometer.

 

[czoolander]

Following. I will eventually like to switch to something that can measure all levels automatically. curious to see what people run for this and what does it measure ?

For now testing every sunday with hanna digital kits .

 

[G Santana]

Hanna
Alk
Calcium
Phosphate
Nitrate HR

Salifert
Magnesium

Salinity
Milwaukee digital

 

[Eldritch_blast]

Test kits (Hanna, Salifert, tropic Marin), refractometer, multiple thermometers. I keep a spread sheet of all maintenance, dosing, inhabitants, etc.

I’m interested in also tracking via spreadsheet…don’t suppose you have a nice template you’d care to share do you?

 

[Big Smelly fish]

Hanna, Salifert, Milwaukee refractor and and my eyes.,

 

[MaxTremors]

I’m interested in also tracking via spreadsheet…don’t suppose you have a nice template you’d care to share do you?

Mine is pretty rudimentary. Give me a minute and I’ll see if I can post it (it’s in Numbers, which is Apple’s version of Excell, but I think they’re compatible).

edit: for some reason my phone is not allowing me to attach the spreadsheet with the ‘attach file’ button, if you dm my your email, I can email it to you, though like I said it’s pretty basic, just the date on the vertical axis and all of the additives, water changes, feeding, changing out the floss, carbon, and misc maintenance across the top/horizontal axis).

 

[rhostam]

I use an Apex for daily measuring and logging.

I test every few months using Hanna checkers to ensure readings from Apex haven’t drifted.

I make time to enjoy my tank every day as part of my routine. Easy because it’s in the living room. But I do inspections during this time.

If something looks off during daily inspection, I’ll inspect gear and sump and do ad-hoc tests using Hanna checkers if I suspect a parameter issue.

Just the other day my duncans (best barometer for over all tank health for me) looked ticked. Everything “seemed fine“ so I went to a round of Hanna tests and found out my PO4 was significantly higher than normal.

 

[Schraufabagel]

Hanna checkers and salifert test kits. I also have my Hydros controller which tracks temperature

 

[JNalley]

I want to eventually get some nifty auto system that connects to WiFi and shows me all my tank info but currently I just use Hanna checkers. What do you reefers use to monitor your tanks water parameters?

Only 4 Automated testing units exist that I know of, if there are more, I'd love to hear about them:

GHL Profilux (via ION Director & KH Director)*
Neptune Apex + Trident
Mastertronic + Alkatronic**
ReefBot

*You do not need a Profilux to utilize the ION Director and KH Director, but you will lose the ability fo temp monitor, ORP monitor, Salinity Monitor, and pH Monitor.

**Mastertronic also tests Alkalinity just like Alkatronic, but the Alkatronic can do it more frequently or something like that, you'll have to read more about it.

 

[G Santana]

I’m interested in also tracking via spreadsheet…don’t suppose you have a nice template you’d care to share do you?

Aquarium note, keeps track of parameters, livestock and aquarium equipment. It's also free.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I use all hanna and probes on my Apex unit