What should I test for

[random_name_2]

Hi all, I’m new to coral keeping and am wondering what should i be testing for weekly for soft corals? I have zoas and gsp right now and there doing good but I would like to watch out for the numbers just to make sure but I didn’t really know what to look for. Also in the future when I keep lps what should I be looking for then or is it the same? Thank you

 

[Rocks reef]

The top three would be...

Alkalinity
Nitrate
Phosphate

 

[get-salty]

I went from testing them all to now just Alk.
Cal and p04 only once a month.

about your questions, agreed with Rocks reef, alk is the #1 then your po4 and nitrate bc you dont want those two to bottom out.
Softies and LPS do better with slightly elevated po4.
and sps.. well you'll get there when you get there ; p

 

[tank of gems]

I agree with Rocks reef. And I would also test calcium

 

[Euphyllia97]

For softies I wouldn’t worry too much about parameters :) Just as you would only keep fish, test for Nitrates and salinity (softies like nutrients). If you have algae problems, other values like phosphate are good to test.

They don’t have a skeleton like sps and Lps so the chemistry is a bit less difficult when it comes to those elements (calcium, magnesium, alk,… :)

 

[tank of gems]

That’s true and softies also like the dirtier water