water testing roundup

[zengoth]

I hear a lot of different answers about water testing, so I am asking for an informal poll-

do you think it's better to use the chemical testing kit (for ph/amm/no2/no3)? test strips or do y'all send out your water to be tested by the ichthy shop (and how often would you do that?)

also - besides the above 4 tests - what other tests (besides salinity) do you think are mandatory for a nanoreef.

thanx in advance.

 

[TheCanuck]

i always heard test strips don't even work.

I use chemical

 

[OgreMkV]

I used test strips for my freshwater tank, but not for salt.

I have: calcium, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, pH, kH

I should test the salinity, but I don't. I buy saltwater from the LFS and have them test a sample when I go. After 6 months, it has never changed.

I definitely would have calcium and kH. Can't do without those. You'd be surprised how the pH can look fine for three days and then suddenly be really low.

Just FYI, I have a 45g reef and I dose pH9 reef builder daily, turbo calcium daily, and marine trace elements every few days. My tank can go from 400ppm calcium to 300ppm calcium almost overnight.