As some of you know this is my first SW venture. I can read all day, but I don't start grasping concepts until I'm actually working with stuff hands on. Most of the material I've read is very confusing. This may sound dumb....is alkalinity the same as carbonate hardness? My reef test kit has calcium, carbonate hardness, and phosphates. Is there anything else I need to be testing? I understand the ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH because of my FW experience, so that is not a problem. Do I need the tests in my reef kit before I have a reef in there? I was told that my LR requires the correct calcium levels (380-450). Once my tank cycles, what should I be testing for?