water testing?

10 posts

Discuss all topics related to saltwater / reef tanks.


blakeas
 
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon Nov 17, 2008 4:12 pm

water testing?

by blakeas

testing - pH, Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate

Is there something I can buy that can do this automatically that can stay in the tank? so I dont have to do test kits??


Snowboss4492
 
Posts: 2098
Joined: Sun Jan 27, 2008 11:24 pm

by Snowboss4492

there are electronic probes - - a few diffent brands.............your looking at about 1500 bucks for a complete set up though......lol...........


blakeas
 
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon Nov 17, 2008 4:12 pm

by blakeas

What about an automatic PH tester that stays in the tank?


dick_headers
 
Posts: 424
Joined: Thu Aug 30, 2007 8:59 pm

by dick_headers

They don't have it for saltwater, but freshwater only. I think it's Seachem brand.


schigara
 
Posts: 468
Joined: Fri Mar 14, 2008 5:42 pm

by schigara

Milwaukee and Pinpoint make ph meters. They both cost about $100 for the meter and probe. They work very well as long as you calibrate them every month.


dick_headers
 
Posts: 424
Joined: Thu Aug 30, 2007 8:59 pm

by dick_headers

http://cgi.ebay.com/PH-600-WATER-TESTER ... 240%3A1318

I have one, very accurate, and fairly affordable.


adehaan86
 
Posts: 140
Joined: Thu Dec 11, 2008 2:38 am

by adehaan86

Thanks dick headers. I always wanted a PH tester. How often anyone recommed to test nitrate and nitrite???


nicholas542
 
Posts: 384
Joined: Thu Sep 25, 2008 11:50 pm

by nicholas542

I usually test my nitrate, ammonia, and phos levels one a week, but I have a reef tank so those levels are pretty critical. Calcium and DKH levels I test about once a month.


nicholas542
 
Posts: 384
Joined: Thu Sep 25, 2008 11:50 pm

by nicholas542

here are some general parameters for water chemistry that I go by

Temperature: between 75° and 83° F and constant - Should not move more than two degrees in one day

Ammonia: 0 ppm - Toxic to livestock if not 0

Nitrite: 0 ppm - Toxic to livestock if not 0

Nitrate: 0.0-30 ppm - Can be toxic to livestock if too high

pH: between 8.1 and 8.4 - 8.2 is ideal

Alkaline: between 8 and 12 dKH

Specific Gravity: between 1.020-1.022 for fish-only aquariums and 1.023-1.025 for reef aquariums

Phosphate: 0

Calcium: 425-450 ppm

Magnesium: 1,300 ppm

Iodine: 0.06 ppm

Strontium: 5-15 ppm

Live Rock: 1-1.5 lbs per gallon

Water Flow: Pumps should turn over the volume of the aquarium 10-15 times per hour


puffedupseagull
 
Posts: 623
Joined: Tue Mar 11, 2008 8:38 am

by puffedupseagull

I do a major chem test fortnightly and minors weekly. amm nitrate nitrite ph. but everything fn

water testing?

10 posts

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