What should I test for?
- Thread starter bennerkla
- Start date
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reefrunner69
Aquarium Advice Addict
Ammonia (weekly until you know your tank)
Nitrite (weekly until you know your tank)
PH (weekly)
Nitrate (weekly)
PO4 (weekly)
CA (weekly)
Alk (weekly)
Nitrite (weekly until you know your tank)
PH (weekly)
Nitrate (weekly)
PO4 (weekly)
CA (weekly)
Alk (weekly)
ReefLady
Aquarium Advice FINatic
While the tank is cycling, I would test only for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate - these will monitor your cycle progress for you. I'd keep an eye on pH during this time, but it can be naturally low during the cycling period.
Salinity & temp are the only other things I would worry about.
HTH,
Salinity & temp are the only other things I would worry about.
HTH,
Reefaddict
Aquarium Advice Freak
Nope, not everything...Heres something for ya to go by!
Test
LR=Low Range Test
pH Several times a
week, if not daily. 8.0-8.4
(8.2 is a good
mid point.)
Alkalinity Several times a
week, if not daily. 2.5-3.5 meq/l
LR Ammonia
(NH³
NH³+4) Daily during tank
cycling; then once
every 2-3 weeks. 0.0 ppm
Nitrite
(NO²) Daily during tank
cycling; then once
every 2-3 weeks. 0.0-0.01 ppm
LR Nitrate
(NO³-) Once per week.
Note: If test is for
Nitrate Nitrogen
(N or NO³-N), multiply reading by 4.4 to get Nitrate (NO³) ionic results. An immeasurable
amount is optimal!
Less than 0.25 ppm
is strongly
recommended.
Calcium
(Ca) Once every 1-2
weeks. 400-450 ppm Ca++ Hardness 60-80 ppm
Carbonate
Hardness
(KH) Once per week. 5.35-6.45 meq/l,
or as 15-18 dKH/
(German °)
Phosphate
PO4 Once per week. 0.05-0.1 ppm
Dissolved
Oxygen
(O²) Once per week. 7 mg/l saturation
or higher.
Specific
Gravity
(Salinity) Weekly 1.023-1.025
Temperature Daily 75°-80°F (24°-27°C),
with 77°F (25°C)
being a good
midpoint.
Other Optional Reef Tank Tests
-Iodine/Iodide
-Strontium
-Silicate
-Iron Refer to individual test kit directions, and below chart
reference resources.
Note: After the tank cycles we suggest that you run ammonia
and nitrite tests every other day for a week, and anytime
after adding new fish, corals or other marine life to your tank.
Test
LR=Low Range Test
pH Several times a
week, if not daily. 8.0-8.4
(8.2 is a good
mid point.)
Alkalinity Several times a
week, if not daily. 2.5-3.5 meq/l
LR Ammonia
(NH³
NH³+4) Daily during tank
cycling; then once
every 2-3 weeks. 0.0 ppm
Nitrite
(NO²) Daily during tank
cycling; then once
every 2-3 weeks. 0.0-0.01 ppm
LR Nitrate
(NO³-) Once per week.
Note: If test is for
Nitrate Nitrogen
(N or NO³-N), multiply reading by 4.4 to get Nitrate (NO³) ionic results. An immeasurable
amount is optimal!
Less than 0.25 ppm
is strongly
recommended.
Calcium
(Ca) Once every 1-2
weeks. 400-450 ppm Ca++ Hardness 60-80 ppm
Carbonate
Hardness
(KH) Once per week. 5.35-6.45 meq/l,
or as 15-18 dKH/
(German °)
Phosphate
PO4 Once per week. 0.05-0.1 ppm
Dissolved
Oxygen
(O²) Once per week. 7 mg/l saturation
or higher.
Specific
Gravity
(Salinity) Weekly 1.023-1.025
Temperature Daily 75°-80°F (24°-27°C),
with 77°F (25°C)
being a good
midpoint.
Other Optional Reef Tank Tests
-Iodine/Iodide
-Strontium
-Silicate
-Iron Refer to individual test kit directions, and below chart
reference resources.
Note: After the tank cycles we suggest that you run ammonia
and nitrite tests every other day for a week, and anytime
after adding new fish, corals or other marine life to your tank.
Thanks for your help, and sorry for my incredible about of NeWbIsH questions...
What is a low ranged test?
What is meq/l?
What does this mean? ---400-450 ppm Ca++ Hardness 60-80 ppm
What do you mean by hardness?
How do you test for dissolved oxygen?
Thanks,
Ben
What is a low ranged test?
What is meq/l?
What does this mean? ---400-450 ppm Ca++ Hardness 60-80 ppm
What do you mean by hardness?
How do you test for dissolved oxygen?
Thanks,
Ben
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