Copper and General Hardness?

[chadski]

is it important to check for copper and general hardness in my tank? should i purchase test kits? are they vital? i only have a small 10gal tank but would they be important for a bigger one, like a 55 gal?

[Wiskey]

I've never used (or owned) either of those kits.

Whiskey

[reefBoyDc]

Me neither.

If there's copper in your tank, you're in trouble (if it's a reef tank).

[Wiskey]

lol,. very true.

Whiskey

[chadski]

so these aren't things i should be testing for regularly?

what about carbonate hardness, alkalinity, or dissolved oxygen?

[dobejazz]

For a reef you want to moniter PH preferably with a meter, and test for Alk & calcium levels I'm sure there are others but I can't think of them off hand

[Wiskey]

Here's what I test regularly:

Alk
Ca
Nitrate
Phosphate
PH
Mag

HTH,
Whiskey

[chadski]

i already check ph and nitrate but where do i find test kits for phosphate, magnesium, alkalinity, and calcium?

and a side note, whats 'imo' stand for?

[jerseyguy1996]

Originally Posted by reefBoyDc

Me neither.

If there's copper in your tank, you're in trouble (if it's a reef tank).

Yep...I found out after I accidently spilled some water from the LFS into my tank that they use copper on their fish tanks. It's kept me up a few nights wondering if I have destroyed my life rock. So far nothing seems to be affected. I couldn't have been more than about a cup of the lfs water.

[Wiskey]

Originally Posted by chadski

i already check ph and nitrate but where do i find test kits for phosphate, magnesium, alkalinity, and calcium?

and a side note, whats 'imo' stand for?

IMO= In my opinion
IMHO= In my humble opinion
FWIR = From what I've read
FWIW = For what it's worth

All of the test kits I use are Salifert,.... though some other MFG has to make a better one for PH. I get them from Marine Deopt usually.

Whiskey

[chadski]

thanks

[Wiskey]

Glad we could help

Whiskey