darrellw Posted December 28, 2008 Share Posted December 28, 2008 What are the important parameters to test, both during cycling and on going? Temp, SG, ph, nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, ...? Also, are the electronic ph meters accurate? Thanks, Darrell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadReefer Posted December 28, 2008 Share Posted December 28, 2008 It's good to always be aware of temp. A bad heater is an easy way to lose stuff. You need to check for S.G. from time to time and while doing water changes. While cycling and diagnosing problems you should test ammonia and nitrite. You should check nitrate from time to time and figure out what needs to be done to keep it low. Alk and Cal are big ones to test regularly, and figure out how to keep them where you like them. pH should fall in line if alk and cal are good, same with mag. But if you add CO2, you need to know pH all the time. Anything else, if you add it, you should test for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrgreenthumb Posted December 28, 2008 Share Posted December 28, 2008 test for everything that you stated, plus ca, alk, and po4. Test all of these around once a week or every other week, and test for iodine, and magnesium on a monthly basis. Thats what i do and it works for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted December 28, 2008 Share Posted December 28, 2008 I check SG about once a week (refractometer). I track pH with my Aquacontroller. I also watch my alk; since I maintain my Ca and alk with kalkwasser, if alk is ok it's a safe assumption that Ca is ok too. I do check my Ca about once a month, just to be sure. Nitrates every couple of weeks normally, I'm testing more now since I'm carbon-dosing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted December 29, 2008 Share Posted December 29, 2008 yeah in the beginning I would test everything Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markdadof2 Posted December 29, 2008 Share Posted December 29, 2008 I test about once a week or so. - calcium - Nitrate / nitrite - phosphates - Ammonia - PH - Kh - SG - Magnesium That is all I can remember off the top of my head! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted December 29, 2008 Share Posted December 29, 2008 in agreement with Mark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beckie Posted December 30, 2008 Share Posted December 30, 2008 Jumping in here. Could you list proper range for each test? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrgreenthumb Posted December 30, 2008 Share Posted December 30, 2008 thats a matter of opinion but i strive for Nitrite 0 Ammonia 0 Nitrate .5 (range of 0ppm-15ppm for sps 0ppm-30ppm for lps and softies) Phosphate 0 PH 8.3 (range 7.9-8.4) Salinity 35ppt (range 30ppt-36ppt) Alkalinity 10 (range 8-12) Calcium 420 (range 400-450) Those are the basics, magnesium and iodine are still somewhat up for discussion...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadReefer Posted December 30, 2008 Share Posted December 30, 2008 Nitrite 0 Ammonia 0 Phosphate 0 Nitrate .5 or less but not deadly if over so not biggest deal PH 8.2, give or take .1, reverse daylight photoperiod helps Salinity in S.G. 1.025 Alkalinity 8-12 Calcium 400-450 Stability is best, find what works and keep it the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beckie Posted December 31, 2008 Share Posted December 31, 2008 Thanks I am right there. I don't test mag or iodine I guess more test kits will be need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markdadof2 Posted December 31, 2008 Share Posted December 31, 2008 I don't test Iodine....I don't dose it so I don't test it. I do dose and test Mg - have had a heck of a time bringing my levels up!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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