measurement!

[ivor]

hi guys!!

as im new to marine.. i jus wanna enquire, if i start a marine tank, wad do i ned to measure regarding the water. like in fresh water, meaure pH. marine measure??

salt lvl? nitrate?

[k0na_scab]

that wld be checking your water parimeters,

NO2 NO3 PO4 NH3 Sg

[jervismun]

Very crucial parameters:

Temperature

Sg (aka salt water content)

pH

KH (Hardness)

Ammonia

Nitrites

Nitrates

The next stage:

Phosphates

Calcium

Magnesium

etc...

A set of Salifert test kits can easily costs you $250.00. Some other brands cheaper but less reliable (according to some). So it's up to you... but yes, you must know ur water condition before you start adding lifestock... or else you will spend much more replacing your lifestock all the time.

[ivor]

Very crucial parameters:

Temperature

Sg (aka salt water content)

pH

KH (Hardness)

Ammonia

Nitrites

Nitrates

The next stage:

Phosphates

Calcium

Magnesium

etc...

A set of Salifert test kits can easily costs you $250.00. Some other brands cheaper but less reliable (according to some). So it's up to you... but yes, you must know ur water condition before you start adding lifestock... or else you will spend much more replacing your lifestock all the time.

wow wee! thats alot.. $250 for test kits only..! haha.. for the crucial ones, how much do i need to spend?

[fongster]

wow wee! thats alot.. $250 for test kits only..! haha.. for the crucial ones, how much do i need to spend?

when you cycle you will need ammonia, nitirite and nitrate test kits. can buy the aquarium pharmaceutical brand(can use for both fresh n salt water), ammonia about $11, nitrite also, nitrate about $13-14

ok then after you get into the maintainance of water parameters:

salifert is a good brand

calcium $38

kh/alkalinity $24

magnesium $24

nitrate can get any brand i guess ok (maybe not tet*a) $13-14 for aquarium pharmaceutical

ph can get wide range or pinpoint meter

phosphate, i guess i would say aquarium pharmaceutical, not as accurate as salifert but still good, see bluish, change rowaphos (or phosphate removing media)

ya seem to be a aquarium pharmaceutical fan, well it works for me cheap n gd

[fongster]

hi guys!!

as im new to marine.. i jus wanna enquire, if i start a marine tank, wad do i ned to measure regarding the water. like in fresh water, meaure pH. marine measure??

salt lvl? nitrate?

salt level you mean specific gravity ? (how many parts salt in the water, or saltyness(layman))

can get hydrometer, coralife deep six is a good one or any other hydrometer calibrated against a refractometer. Maybe you have some gd frens ard.. haha

or better still can get a refractometer, much much more accurate

[ivor]

when you cycle you will need ammonia, nitirite and nitrate test kits. can buy the aquarium pharmaceutical brand(can use for both fresh n salt water), ammonia about $11, nitrite also, nitrate about $13-14

ok then after you get into the maintainance of water parameters:

salifert is a good brand

calcium $38

kh/alkalinity $24

magnesium $24

nitrate can get any brand i guess ok (maybe not tet*a) $13-14 for aquarium pharmaceutical

ph can get wide range or pinpoint meter

phosphate, i guess i would say aquarium pharmaceutical, not as accurate as salifert but still good, see bluish, change rowaphos (or phosphate removing media)

ya seem to be a aquarium pharmaceutical fan, well it works for me cheap n gd

fongster.. thanks alot.. haha.. will take note..! haha

[Zappy Kiwi]

Hi ivor,

welcome to the marine community! Here's a test kit to recommend you. (refer to picture) Contains test kits for NO3, NO2, NH3/NH4, PH. I think can get for around $30 at petmart (one of our forum sponsors). I am using it too. Value for money.

[ozy]

Just get a hydro, ph test kit and a thermometer. Diligently change water and you can't go too far wrong.

Personally I don't believe in chasing numbers. Spend the money on a good skimmer.