Reef Tank test kits: What do you REALLY need?

[@KaveManAquatics]

Great video man! Short and to the point! Thats how my channel took off. You’re becoming one of favorite saltwater channels. Once I get going with salt I’ll be dropping your channel to my audience. Keep going! 💪

[@reefrookies]

Awesome! Happy to have you here and know your thoughts on it. I try to keep it short and simple even though Uncle KZbin wants us to make longer videos these days. lol

[@datagovi7516]

Excellent video!! Great information!

[@reefrookies]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watchin!

[@geoffhunt7965]

Whatever you do, do not use the product vibrant thinking it was bacteria as they advertise when actually it is an algicide! If it is possible, an airline hose from outside of the house into the skimmer will boost pH.

[@reefrookies]

All good points! Thanks for watching and contributing to the conversation! Vibrant is a last last last resort after you've used the last last resort! lol Great tip on the skimmer line, just be sure to put a filter on it!

[@alon9502]

Great video as always, thank you! Maybe this is a topic for another video, buy people always say we should chase stability and not numbers. How does one achieve that stability with so many factors at play?

[@reefrookies]

Great question! Imma have to contemplate a proper answer to this one!

[@richido71]

I have a reef tank for about 15 years, had wins and loss, but as for now, i dose Ca, Mg, Alk with a dosing system, and add Trace elements with replenish, Aminos, vitamins, Rotifers and Phyto. What i have never dosed is Stronium, is it important?

[@reefrookies]

It is important for sure. This is what my ICP analysis (linked below) said about it. "What is this: Like calcium, strontium is an alkaline earth metal and an important macro element in seawater. Strontium is not considered essential. Nevertheless, it has important functions in reef aquariums and should always be kept at the reference value of 7-10 mg/l. Problems: Too low strontium levels lead to loss of colour and growth, especially in calcareous algae and hard corals. Strontium is also important for the health of the corals." Link > lab.faunamarin.de/en/share/analysis/137222

[@thefirefromhell1031]

I’m thinking about starting a saltwater tank of 13.5 gallons with a couple clown fish and Nemo house I can’t spell it lol. What is ur recommendation on starting that. I was going to put the water in with some sand and let it sit for 3 week put in euryhaline fish to kick start the bacteria state and do water changes every week for about a month or 2 before putting in the clown fish and Nemo’s home. Is that a good idea?

[@reefrookies]

13.5 will be a challenge but its doable if you check on the tank everyday! You can do a fishless nitrogen cycle with bottled ammonium chloride and beneficial bacteria in 7-14 days, no need to wait months and months. Setup the whole tank, add ammonium chloride up to 2ppm, wait a few hours, add beneficial bacteria and keep adding it as the instructions say till the ammonia is gone to zero. Then add a couple fish and keep adding the bacteria daily till the bottle is gone.

[@dalecruz715]

I had my ph at 7.8 with blue lab system then added nitrifing bacteria 9 and my ph immediately dropped to 7.4. After letting ride and my water changes it rose to 7.7 after a month lol is this normal or bad bacteria?

[@reefrookies]

Just about anything we do to the tank will change the pH. Even just opening a nearby window can have an affect on it. I wouldn't worry about it. 7.7 is not too bad. Its a bit low ish, but if everything else checks out, let it ride. :)