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water testing (1 Viewer)

LilReef

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Nov 25, 2010
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Can someone please help me out.. What should my readings be at for PH, Nitrite, Nitrate etc? I have a fish only tank. Also is a Refractometer better to use than a Hydrometer when measuring salinity?
 
Someone correct me if I am wrong....

PH 8.2
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0

Yes a Refractometer is more accurate than a hydrometer. If you have a hydrometer, have someone verify it with a refractometer.
 
Someone correct me if I am wrong....

PH 8.2
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0

Yes a Refractometer is more accurate than a hydrometer. If you have a hydrometer, have someone verify it with a refractometer.
Keep in mind that your Ph numbers will swing throughout the day. Many articles to read online regarding Ph. Couple things to keep in mind and you probably won't need to worry too much about Ph unless your fish start acting weird:

-Use RO/DI water only when mixing salt - or buy pre mixed saltwater from LFS
-Change out 30% of tank volume at least once every two weeks...if more fish, then once a week.
-Keep the surface of the water in your tank moving - aggressive agitation without bubbles is good

Some people have a heck of a time keeping Ph above 7.8....like myself :gay1:
If fish and corals are happy - follow the addage that if it a'int broke, don't fix it.
 
Someone correct me if I am wrong....

PH 8.2
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0

Yes a Refractometer is more accurate than a hydrometer. If you have a hydrometer, have someone verify it with a refractometer.

yes you are wrong. Those are for a REEF tank he has a fish only... fine for nitrates to be higher.
 
yes you are wrong. Those are for a REEF tank he has a fish only... fine for nitrates to be higher.

That that running a FO system at zero is a problem ;) Also need to watch ammonia as this is where it all starts (before nitrates and nitrites)
 
So Ammonia needs to be at 0 as well? Does all type of test supplies work equally (Strips vs. liquid)?
 
No, kits can be very different. Strips are the least accurate.

Elos is my first choice, Salifert is my second, API is my third for test kits. Strips work if your just starting the system and it does not have to be accurate as your just watching for the cycle to start/end.
 

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