What is the minimum test kit needed

[sheristopher]

Hi Guys,

May I know what is the minimum test kits for FOWLR, LPS and SPS tank?

Anyone manage to keep the above tank with minimum spend on test kits?

[Gouldian]

Hi bro,

It is very subjective. Some reefers:

• will test almost everything
  
• will use their eyes, experience to gauge the increase or lacking in certain elements
  
• depend solely their equipment
  
• simply leave it to nature to take its cause
  
  Herewith are some common elements that we look out for, it depends whether it prefer to trust their eyes, experience, equipment, nature or to use test kits:
  • Ammonia - Needed during cycling
    
  • Nitrite - Needed during cycling and FOWLR
    
  • Nitrate - Needed by LPS and SPS
    
  • pH - Needed by systems that employ De-nitrator and Calcium Reactors
    
  • Silicate - Needed when you experience Diatom bloom
    
  • Calcium - Needed by LPS and SPS
    
  • Carbonate - Needed by LPS and SPS
    
  • Phosphate - Needed by LPS and SPS
    
  • Magnesium - Needed by LPS and SPS
    

  I used to have chlorine test kit as well, I used these when I have aiptasia problems and finally resorted to bleach my entire tank and pipe-works. I need to chlorine test kits to let me know when my tank will be safe to re-start.

  Hope that helps.

[BH2O]

I m using redsea kit to test ca, mg, KH, ph, ammonia, no2, no3 and po4.

[BH2O]

Sorry, Double post.

[nwyk153]

Im running FOWLR so i only test for Salinity, PH/KH, Nitrites(sometimes), Nitrates and Po4.