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01/21/2012, 09:36 PM
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#1 |
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Jon
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Clayton,California
Posts: 222
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what test kits do I need?
Can anyone please tell me what tests kits I need for my 90 gal FOWLR tank? I'd like to save some money and not buy every test kit under the sun. What are the essential tests I need? Thanks.
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01/21/2012, 09:51 PM
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#2 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: AWOL
Posts: 12,013
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Ammonia, Nitrate, pH, probably phosphate. Then calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium for the coralline algae, and other calcium needing life that may have entered with the rock.
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"Things should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler." (oft attributed to Einstein; most likely paraphrasing by Roger Sessions; compactly articulates the principle of Occam's Razor) Current Tank Info: 325 6' wide Reef |
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01/22/2012, 12:58 AM
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#3 | |
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Registered Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Anderson, Indiana
Posts: 1,276
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Quote:
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:beer: Mixed Reef, started 10/2004: 6' BB 125g DT, 100lbs LR, 40g sump, Dual Ehiem 1000 returns, Eshopps dual overflow, JBJ ATO, Vertex IN-180, PM Ca reactor, 250w MH w/VHO Actinic, AC3 w/Aquasurf, Tunze 6105 pair & 40B frag tank 8 Fish, 20+ corals, shrimp, snails, worms, bugs, etc. |
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01/22/2012, 01:01 AM
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#4 |
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Tang Cop
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: OK
Posts: 2,240
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Can't really dissagree with uncleof6. Maybe add dkh to the mix.
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Can't sleep, clowns will eat me. America is the most grandiose experiment the world has seen, but, I am afraid, it is not going to be a success. Sigmund Freud Current Tank Info: 300 reef, Aqua controller, Deltec calcium reactor, Reeflo 250 skimmer, Icecap bla bla bla |
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01/22/2012, 01:10 AM
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#5 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 2,753
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If your going to get a phosphate kit get the Hanna one. It's the only kit I actually get a reading on.
It's a bit more expensive but you get what you pay for.
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Current tank: 90G mixed reef. Current Tank Info: 90 gallon |
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01/22/2012, 01:39 PM
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#6 | |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: AWOL
Posts: 12,013
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Quote:
Alkalinity = dkH 
__________________
"Things should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler." (oft attributed to Einstein; most likely paraphrasing by Roger Sessions; compactly articulates the principle of Occam's Razor) Current Tank Info: 325 6' wide Reef |
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01/22/2012, 02:00 PM
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#7 |
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~Just a Farm Boy~
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Central Indiana
Posts: 1,651
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If you want the bare minimums, Ammonia, Nitrites, Nitrates and PH. If you are truly only going to have a FOWLR tank, those and a good grade of salt mix with bi weekly water changes should get you by.
Now, if you start adding SPS or LPS corals things change and you well need to monitor the big 3, Magnesium, Calcium and Alkalinity.
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Sport If you do not test for it, DON'T dose it. Indiana INDMAS Member |
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01/22/2012, 02:29 PM
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#8 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,826
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The beauty of this hobby is time is on your side. If your tank is on the new side, you don't need bother with anything other than the basic 4. Ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and phosphate. After some time goes by and you start thinking basic corals and such you can expand your testing needs. Everything about this hobby is about growth. Start out easy and as you grow as an aquarist your system will grow with you.
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Current tank 48" 75g DT w/ 55g sump/fuge. |
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