Must have water tests

[drew1092]

I am new to reefing and was wondering what the most important or must have water quality tests are. Of course the ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH are must haves. I also have a salifert KH alk and Ca. Which other ones are considered necessary? Does anyone check phosphate levels? I have heard that there is no point as if you have algae growth you must have phosphates. I see myriads of tests out there; dissolved O2, Mg, Copper, strontium, etc. Which ones should I buy? Also, can any one recommend a reliable pH test? Thanks!

[toddmh]

looks like you have all the most important ones nailed down, everyone says phosphate tests at the hobby level are not very accurate.I'm not sure but i think dissolved O2, Mg, Copper, strontium, etc are more for tanks that well stocked with corals and fish..

I like the salifert API or Seachem brands,I have used Readsea and did not like them..You may have seen this link,it helped me much with water parameters

http://www.chucksaddiction.com/waterquality.html

[Loverotties]

I like Salifert too,but for pH I like pinpoint meter!You can see the different reading thru the day.

[Fat Tony]

Yep, a meter for pH. I use Tropic Marin, Elos and Sera.

Also add in a Magnesium test.

So I suggest
Amm
Trite
Trate
Cal
Alk
Mag

No real need for a phosphate test as you will know when you have a phosphate issue from algae

[drew1092]

Thanks thats a big help. I didn't want to shell out money for unnecessary test kits! Thanks.

[mg]

Also a refractometer and not a swing are hydrometer to check salinity. They are much more accurate when calibrated.

I agree with the phosphate test kits. If you want to test phosphate, use a low range photometer. My local club has one that you can get water tested with at meetings, and a few members in my local club have them.

[drew1092]

Thanks, last month got the refractometer. Swing arm was reading 1.023, refractometer said 1.028! I finally got it down to 1.025

[Loverotties]

Good deal.