Quote:
Originally Posted by matt_vasko
I got my water tested by bio reef and they (unless they changed) used the same strips i have. I tested my water again today and the water is flawless haha well the best i can tell. So i feel my problem is with something i can not test with a strip. Whats the cheapest most accurate chemical test strip kit?
Thanks
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The test strips can be a good indicator of needing to look further. None of them are truly "accurate". If you test with a strip and it is fine, then you get used to it. If the test strip shows something besides what you expect, then you know to test it with a better kit. The test strips (or all the ones I have used) test for Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, PH and I don't remember what the fifth one is. None of them test for much more than that.
A typical test kit for each thing you want to test for would be about 6-8 dollars average. Some are more, some are less. The API Master SW Kit I have doesn't test for anything not on the strips. I also have a Ca, GH/KH, Magnesium, Phosphate, Copper and not sure what else. API also has a Master Reef Kit but I don't remember what all is in it.
From what you have said in other posts, about the macro die off, the diatom issue, and now the coralline dying, it sounds like it is all a result of the macro die off. Whatever it is, you need to do some serious water changes to try to get whatever is in the water killing things off out of the water. Unless, you can figure out that it is a mini-cycle that is killing it but I don't think a mini-cycle (nor a full cycle) would kill of coralline as most LR that is used to cycle a tank has coralline on it.
It could also be a Calcium deficiency. Have you tested the water for Calcium levels? And, Alkilinity? Both can have an effect on coralline and tank health in general.
-Benjamin
