PaulS.46122 Posted January 27, 2017 Report Share Posted January 27, 2017 So I am setting up a 10 gallon nano tank and curious to how often and what you test with. Are there any kits to avoid? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefer82 Posted January 27, 2017 Report Share Posted January 27, 2017 Salifert and Hanna checkers are considered the most reliable. The Hanna calcium I believe can be finicky though I have no personal experience with it. I try and test weekly, not going to lie I get lazy and sometimes a month goes by. Don't get into the habit, especially in a small tank because things can go south quickly. Being you'll likely do frequent water changes on that size tank I'd make it a point to test before each one so you know where you're at. It's basic math to know where you'll be afterward. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaco Posted January 27, 2017 Report Share Posted January 27, 2017 To start a tank, i'll test Ammonia (API) and Nitrates every couple days to verify the cycle is over. Afterwards, I test my Nitrates, ALK and Ca weekly since I am dosing. I'll test Mg about once a month. I use Salifert kits for all my testing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulS.46122 Posted January 27, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2017 Well I wont be dosing. Hoping to replenish ALK and Ca with weekly water changes. I only test my freshwater cichlid tank once a month that is why I ask. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefer82 Posted January 28, 2017 Report Share Posted January 28, 2017 Even though you won't be dosing it's still a good practice to test. Who's to say the salt mix isn't deficient in somethingv? Rare but it has happened. Jaco's testing regimen would cover the bases pretty well. API is the big one to avoid. They have a terrible habit of being inaccurate at the levels we need to be at in a reef. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaco Posted January 28, 2017 Report Share Posted January 28, 2017 I test each mix of salt as well if I plan to do more than a 5 gallon water change Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wsc Posted January 28, 2017 Report Share Posted January 28, 2017 I would test the tank water daily u the you know how many ounces of fresh water to add to compensate for evaporation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wsc Posted January 28, 2017 Report Share Posted January 28, 2017 With a refractometer & not a hydrometer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulS.46122 Posted January 28, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2017 Gotcha. I may pick up an API kit for the initial cycle and then after I'm up and running grab a couple seifert tests for what I need. Also I have an ATO to combat evaporation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airmotive Posted January 30, 2017 Report Share Posted January 30, 2017 I downloaded the Aquarimate app from the Apple Store. It resides on my phone and iPad, and offers a gentle reminder that it's time to... (insert any and all tasks) as well as records the results, flags out-of-bounds results and tracks trends. Regretfully, it also allows you to track the cost of your hobby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReefNewby82 Posted February 13, 2017 Report Share Posted February 13, 2017 I may have to download this app. I always say I need to change gfo other today...and I forget, so I day I'll do it tomorrow...etc. pretty cool idea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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