Did I waste my money?

[Egkid]

OK I started my 29 gallon tank with the intentions of keeping it a fowlr but plans quickly changed when I got a light fixture. Anyway I have the API Saltwater Master Test Kit to test the basics (ammonia, nitrites, nitrates), I kinda bought the API Reef Master Test Kit on impulse and I'm now debating whether or not I should have. Right now I have a small colony of zoanthids and GSP's and will probably only end up with soft corals and a few LPS. So do I even need this kit, it test for calcium, carbonate hardness, phosphate, and nitrate.

[Kraylen]

Yes.

[wav3form]

I wouldn't say you wasted your money. Calcium is always good to test, as is hardness.

[SPerry]

I wouldn't say you wasted money. It is good to keep an eye on Cal and Alk, especially if you want good Coraline growth. If you are not using RO/DI water or have an algae out break the phosphate kit will come in handy. Honestly I don't test for anything once the tank is established and running well unless I notice something not looking right.

[Mikec0078]

I wouldn't say you wasted money. It is good to keep an eye on Cal and Alk, especially if you want good Coraline growth. If you are not using RO/DI water or have an algae out break the phosphate kit will come in handy. Honestly I don't test for anything once the tank is established and running well unless I notice something not looking right.

 

I thought I was a horrible reefer because I rarely test my water anymore. My corals and any irregularities in the look of the tank are my signs of something not going right, then I will test. Otherwise I hardly take out the test kits unless I am changing something big on my tank and I need to monitor levels. The key in my doing is that I maintain my maintenance and it's a very established tank.

[Mudfish]

... will probably only end up with soft corals and a few LPS. ...

 

Yeah, we all said that, too, once upon a time.

[Egkid]

My tank is fairly new I started it on July 25th so I'm still testing at least once a week and after I add anything to the tank just to make sure everything is stable. I have the usual diatom bloom with new tanks but I'm also getting some greenish algea on the glass, I think it partly has to do with me initially filling the tank with tap water before I new any better, I'm now doing water changes with RO water though. I haven't opened the kit yet beacuse I'm debating whether or not to take it back but then again I'm curious as to how high my phophates are.

[Kraylen]

Yeah, we all said that, too, once upon a time.

 

ahhaahhahahaahhaah

[Egkid]

Yeah, we all said that, too, once upon a time.

 

For now at least, I'm pretty sure I'm restricted since I only have 4x24 T5HO's, anyway thats a whole nother topic

 

 

Oh yea and thank you gentlemen and ladies for the advice/tips/opinions/support/help.

[johnmaloney]

no, good investment.

[davidr2340]

no, good investment.

Agreed!

[Needreefunds]

For now at least, I'm pretty sure I'm restricted since I only have 4x24 T5HO's, anyway thats a whole nother topic

 

 

Oh yea and thank you gentlemen and ladies for the advice/tips/opinions/support/help.

No, no.....

 

They are talking about your next tank.

 

Trust us, its gonna happen.

 

 

And as the others have said, a good investment for the few extra bucks.

 

Good luck with your tank. ( and your future upgrade )

[d0ughb0y]

If I were to start over again, the water test kits I would buy is the saltwater kit AND the master reef kit from API. That is all you need to cycle and later testing for maintenance. It is a lot cheaper then buying the tests individually.

 

keep the reef kit. I noticed the price has gone up recently, it used to be $25 at petsmart, but is now $33. they last for two years (one year at least for sure).