2 feet tank??

[pospeh]

Nitrate and phosphate tests are not necessary for an established tank.

These are parameters that do not increase within a short period of time, and once they get high, there will be other physical symptoms you can see such as algae breakouts. Plus, even if you know these parameters are high, there is really nothing that can be done to correct the problem quickly absent a redesign of the filtration system. Your current tank either has the ability to reduce the nitrates produced or it doesn't.

Calcium and alkalinity are necessary though b/c they are consumed/affected by the corals and clams.

[dodo]

Nitrate and phosphate tests are not necessary for an established tank.

These are parameters that do not increase within a short period of time, and once they get high, there will be other physical symptoms you can see such as algae breakouts. Plus, even if you know these parameters are high, there is really nothing that can be done to correct the problem quickly absent a redesign of the filtration system. Your current tank either has the ability to reduce the nitrates produced or it doesn't.

Calcium and alkalinity are necessary though b/c they are consumed/affected by the corals and clams.

Is tis true? I hardly think so leh

Nitrate & Phosphate will still increase in a well established mature tank due to various reason, e.g deteriorating of water quality. In fact, you can correct the situation with larger than normal water change

[CKS]

Em.. unless your tap water is zero on NO3 & P04.. or/and maybe your established tank is capable of reducing them faster than we input through daily feeding of frozen food/dried food ..etc

Hm.. .not sure about the water change .. im too lazy for that.

Never know.. we might be adding more toxic metal through water change using synthetic salt?

[dodo]

really dunno wat to do if we are really adding toxic metal using synthetic salt. Tap water water will contain traces of NO3 & PO4 definitely(unless PUB try to....err....better dun elabarate )...but to have a peace of mind, in regardless whether your tank is capable reducing them or not, it is still better to have these two test kits(i.e NO3 & PO4). Precaution is better than cure rite????somemore tis is a 2ft tank...water may foul up faster than a 4ft/5ft/6ft etc

[Tanzy]

Nitrate and phosphate tests are not necessary for an established tank.

These are parameters that do not increase within a short period of time, and once they get high, there will be other physical symptoms you can see such as algae breakouts. Plus, even if you know these parameters are high, there is really nothing that can be done to correct the problem quickly absent a redesign of the filtration system. Your current tank either has the ability to reduce the nitrates produced or it doesn't.

Calcium and alkalinity are necessary though b/c they are consumed/affected by the corals and clams.

Nitrate and phosphate testkits are necessary for testing the water when something looks wrong in a mature tank to help exclude them as possible causes. If they are not the cause then it might be something worse and action must be taken fast. It doesn't have to be tested regularly like calcium, alk or pH, but it's good to have the testkits on hand.