water test results

drewster

drewster

Member
I bought a Red Sea Marine Lab testing kit for my tank last week and i'm a little confused on what my results are supposed to be at. The instructions are terrible and don't say what your tank should be at. I specically want to know what an acceptable ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, ph, and alkalinity level is. I have a 55 gallon reef tank with 2 clownfish if that helps. Thanks
 
dennish

dennish

Member
Ammonia and Nitites should be at 0 after your tank cycles. It may rise if new fish are added until the bio filter can catch up.
Nitrates should be under 20, the lower, the better.
pH should be around 8.2 (8.0-8.4),
I don't know about alkalinity, I dont have a test for that.
I use the Aq. Pharm. Saltwater Master Test Kit. Many people recomended it because it uses liquid agents to conduct the tests, but I am very disaponted in the cheap paper "guide" that you need to compare the colors to.
- Dennis
 
mainejo1

mainejo1

Member
I agree, Dennis. Nice test kit but the color chart is a real PITA to read. Glad I am not the only one. I did discover if you take your tube and color chart into a room with white walls and good lighting, it is a bit easier.
 
dennish

dennish

Member

Originally posted by MaineJo1:
I agree, Dennis. Nice test kit but the color chart is a real PITA to read. Glad I am not the only one. I did discover if you take your tube and color chart into a room with white walls and good lighting, it is a bit easier.
That is what I do, but I also notice, if I put the tube tight against the wall, it is darker than if I hold it out an inch or so. On the pH test particularly this mean my results can vary from 8.0 to 8.2 to 8.4 depending on the position of the tube!!! I really think I may get another test kit - at least for the pH.
- Dennis
 
kmr

kmr

Member
I like to use Aquarium Systems tests for pH, dkh, nitrates, and phosphates. The tests used on reefs contain a color chip which is much better than paper. I do prefer to use Red Sea tests for calcium.
 
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