Freshy thinking of taking the plunge...

[needmorecowbell]

No problem, but you can't use some tests out of a fw kit in sw. I know ph can't, but I think the trate trite and ammo are able to.

 

[skywhitney]

so i'm just going to use my existing API kit for teh basics (PH, Ammo, Trites, Trates)

Recommended brands for Mag, Ca, Alk tests?

 

[skywhitney]

No problem, but you can't use some tests out of a fw kit in sw. I know ph can't, but I think the trate trite and ammo are able to.

I was told you can use the high range PH from the API FW test for marine tanks...

 

[needmorecowbell]

Oh, didn't know they had that. It would work then, I've only seem the ones that go to like 7.5.

 

[Joe5688]

I was told you can use the high range PH from the API FW test for marine tanks...

Yeah the matster kit has the high range Ph test.

 

[Joe5688]

How important is kh?

 

[needmorecowbell]

With corals that have a calcium carbonate skeleton, very. Alkalinity is carbon atoms. What's calcium carbonate? Half calcium, half carbon. So, if your only testing calcium, your only seeing half of what the coral needs.

 

[Joe5688]

Ugh this is all so confusing lol

do a lot of corals have that type of Skelton?

 

[needmorecowbell]

Lps and sps do, softies don't. So yeah, a pretty good amount. Just keep on researching, it'll clear up. Took me a steady 2 years learning stuff lol.

 

[needmorecowbell]

so i'm just going to use my existing API kit for teh basics (PH, Ammo, Trites, Trates)

Recommended brands for Mag, Ca, Alk tests?

Sounds like a plan! Salifert all the way!

 

[Joe5688]

I'm not looking for any crazy corals in my tank just simple "pretty"ones as my gf would put it. Just trying to Get a feel for what I need as my tank progresses.

 

[skywhitney]

Sounds like a plan! Salifert all the way!

Does Salifert make a combo test kit? So far all I've been finding are the individual tests.

 

[needmorecowbell]

Pretty is really different to a lot of people. I love sps and only a few softies, some people are the opposite. You could make a build thread and youd get a lot more help on this, there a bunch of really intelligent people on the subject who would love to help.

 

[needmorecowbell]

Does Salifert make a combo test kit? So far all I've been finding are the individual tests.

Nope, that's the biggest issue with them. Wish they would though :/

 

[danbstrong]

I'm debating on whether or not to take the salt plunge right now. I figured I'd start asking a bunch of questions to help figure out what to do.

My initial concern is equipment. Currently my planted tank setup includes:
70g tank
Aqueon proflex Model 3 sump
CPR CS90 overflow
Rio 2100 return pump
Fluval E300 and E250 heaters
Hydor 425 Powerhead
Maxijet 2500(?) powerhead
Wavepoint Quad T5 light (i still have the Actinic and 10000K bulbs)

What else would I need to get a reef tank started?

Quality skimmer think about doin a refugium especially if your doin sps helps greatly in algae control reef need alot of water circulation good powerheads live rock averages about 5$ a pound a good starting point is 1 pound/gallon of total water live sand but is not a must

 

[Jlsardina]

Looks like you are doing your research. Try googling reef aquarium water chmistry. There's a lot of good articles out there that discuss how each element affects the others.

When you go to buy salt- try to use reef crystals. Life will be much easier.

Try to stay away from Refugium "stuff" that goes sexual- instead stick with a macroalgae like chaeto.

Research everything before you buy it! Even coral compatibilites. There are some softies that release a defensive chemical that can kill sps corals.

Before you start buying anything- find your centerpiece livestock and build around that.

Join a local reef club- fairly inexpensive and often the best way to get cheap frags.

Most of all- let your wife pick out corals and fish- in the end you may start seeing the fish fund grow

 

[shady3210]

Most of all- let your wife pick out corals and fish- in the end you may start seeing the fish fund grow

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO true its the reason I was able to start with a 75 instead of a 25. Except my wife keeps wanting poisonous or ambush predators like the sea goblin she saw last weekend.....

 

[skywhitney]

I wish this was true...my wife has absolutely no interest in my tanks. She'll walk by them and say "ooh pretty" and thats about it lol.

 

[Steve silbernagel]

It's taken me awhile but my wife is starting to harm up to the salt tank. She could careless of my two fresh tanks though.

 

[needmorecowbell]

I wish this was true...my wife has absolutely no interest in my tanks. She'll walk by them and say "ooh pretty" and thats about it lol.

Hey that's at least something. My parents just see the money I spend, I don't think they even like the tank, the only thing they say is, " where's the fish?"