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07/17/2018, 09:25 AM | #26 | |
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Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: San Diego CA 92115
Posts: 262
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07/18/2018, 06:00 AM | #27 | |
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Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 5,313
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I use salifert and Hanna for ALK just to cross reference. Every time Hanna comes up the same number as salifert. My issue with salifert is your judging a color change which can lead to inaccuracy as we all see color differently. Also show me where a salifert PO4 test can measure down to .001. The Hanna ULR PO4 checker is the gold standard in the hobby for PO4 at the super low ranges we try to keep. Yes there are some quirks with the Hanna meters(no fingerprints on the vials, use the same vial to 0 and test even though they supply 2), but they are very accurate is used correctly.
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80G SCA Build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2560256 Originally posted by der_wille_zur_macht: "He's just taking his lunch to work" |
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07/19/2018, 06:48 AM | #28 |
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Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 275
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It depends on your needs. For fish only, API calcium, nitrate, alkalinity, will do pretty well. For specific gravity, a refractometer is best.
If you want to get into having hard corals, you should get more refined tests. Hard corals grow by enlarging their skeletons. The use alkalinity and calcium to make calcium carbonate skeletons. Also magnesium levels become important. SPS corals are more demanding than LPS corals. For them, most people measure alkalinity daily and dose to keep it constant. I use Red Sea Pro for ALK. Many people use Salifert with good results. Calcium is also important. Sea water contains a bunch of calcium. I measure weekly with Red Sea Pro but Salifert is good also. Magnesium is important. The Red Sea Mg test drives me crazy. I use Salifert. I have found that routine water changes with a high Mg salt mix keeps it at good levels so I rarely test it. SPS corals are sensitive to high nutrient levels but you want some nutrients or they will die. I use Red Sea Pro for nitrate and I like it better than Salifert. I use Hanna ULR phoshaphate tester for phosphate. It is the only hobby test that is sensitive enough on phosphate to be useful. Of course, when you cycle a tank, you will want an ammonia test and a nitrite test. Ammonia is quite toxic at low levels. Many people report that the API test gives a low reading for ammonia when it is actually zero. I guess they are fine with that. It would drive me crazy and I use either Salifert or Red Sea. Once, your tank is cycled, you will rarely have any need to test ammonia or nitrite. |
07/22/2018, 12:18 AM | #29 |
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Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: San Diego CA 92115
Posts: 262
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After mixing my salt and setting up the tank, everything looks great besides for phosphate being .5 ppm. I am running a GFO reactor over this weekend and testing again on Monday to see if there is any change.
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07/22/2018, 06:20 AM | #30 |
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Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: reno, nv
Posts: 201
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I use red sea and salifert test kits...hated testing. All the drop and swirl what a pain.
Until I found a little battery powered magnetic stirrer at a local pool supply store. Makes testing a breeze, and the glass viles in the test kits fit just fine on it. Best 20 bucks I've ever spent on my tank. |
07/22/2018, 12:45 PM | #31 |
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Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Dewitt MI
Posts: 5,051
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Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels |
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