What, when and how I test all of my reef tanks!

[@adamhudson6812]

Love the honesty, creativity, and investment you put into your channel!

[@ParkersReef]

Thanks Adam!

[@ConnoratCoralVue]

Fantastic Video! The reef is looking fabulous and active as well.

[@ParkersReef]

Cheers Connor!

[@dillansimpson1456]

Dude your my favorite channel. Keep it going. Love it!

[@ParkersReef]

Thanks! Will do!

[@paulharker5052]

Tank looks great Sam,and thanks for the videos

[@ParkersReef]

Thanks Paul!

[@Reefingwithjay]

Man I love your Tees, great creativity just like your videos!!

[@ParkersReef]

Thanks Jay!

[@miketeranamo2693]

i honestly like all your content, thanks for sharing your experience

[@ParkersReef]

Thanks for watching!!

[@Baba-sz9jb]

Hi I love your videos and find them really informative and helpful, I want to automate some testing but my budget will only stretch to one piece of equipment. Bearing that in mind what would you recommend? Many thanks and a happy New Year.

[@ParkersReef]

definitely look into an automated alkalinity tester. Is one of the most important elements, there are plenty of options on the market now and they are mostly very accurate

[@antoniofaustino2548]

Testing is never to much I test for KH, calcium and mag every day phosphate, nitrates and salinity twice a week the only difference is I have to do it all manually ,no much room for anything else in my sump . Great to see how you do it. Thanks for the video Sam!

[@ParkersReef]

Thanks Antonio! Yeah KH is critical and easy to test, so a good one to do. Your more diligent than I am for the other parameters 😅

[@theamjadjamousable]

And i thought i am crazy bro 😀 Awesome tanks , you the man.

[@ParkersReef]

Haha thanks mate

[@Mark-hb2zy]

New drinking game, every time Sam says 'treat', do a shot! 😂 Great video as always :)

[@Mark-hb2zy]

Disappointed, you said it less than usual, still sober 🍻

[@ParkersReef]

hahah I'll have to try better for you next time :P

[@Fish_Ventura]

Thanks, enjoyed learning your process.

[@ParkersReef]

Thanks for watching!

[@dancohen8305]

Hey bro been a minute,glad yoir still doing this man waiting for you to cone to California

[@ParkersReef]

Yeah mate I’m still making videos!! Yeah would love to get over there and check out your reefing scene, bucket list stuff

[@dancohen8305]

@@ParkersReef do it bro ND come to San diego best reefing scene in america. We got a spare master bedroom and bathroom you could use for a few days

[@ParkersReef]

Thank you 🙏🏻

[@barnsey9170]

Top video, I aspire to your testing routine on the dream reef tank.

[@ParkersReef]

thanks mate!

[@Gerbenk1992]

Great video again, thanks for sharing your experience and ideas. It has been a great help so far! Ps: I love your t-shirt ;)!

[@ParkersReef]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@tonycloseukreef3799]

Sam fantastic tanks great husbandry

[@ParkersReef]

Cheers Tony!

[@AJ-bi6ns]

Just picked up a Mastertronic as the last "piece" of my automation. Put it off for awhile as I thought with Hanna quick checkers I would do it more frequently, but with everything in life I just don't get to it. Using the AWC system to take "old" SW and recycle to other tanks down the line is a terrific idea!

[@ParkersReef]

I bet you are glad you pulled the trigger on it, fantastic bit of gear!

[@AJ-bi6ns]

@@ParkersReef Anxiously waiting for the reagents to set it up!! So ready to not test N:P anymore and the addition of Iodine and Iron is a huge plus!

[@ParkersReef]

@@AJ-bi6ns absolutely!!!

[@bobbyknox9258]

Great vid for experienced reefers and someone just starting out. 👍

[@ParkersReef]

Thanks Bobby!

[@joebeasley6746]

Huge fan of your Channel! I've been googling the spin touch for about a half an hour and I can't find one that tests all the parameters of you've got most of what shows up is just for home pools. Could you please take the time to send me a model number or something that would help me run it down cuz I really want one of those. Thank you

[@ParkersReef]

yeah sure thing! You want the SpinTouch FF (which stands for fish farm). There are freshwater discs and saltwater discs that will work on this machine, more info is here: www.waterlinkspintouch.com/spin-touch-ff.html

[@ifly65]

Thanks now I feel bad and I am going to do my tests. Great videos as always.

[@ParkersReef]

hahaha the old guilt trip into water testing, nice :P

[@jestronixhanderson9898]

I was kh guardian fan, im now hooked on the reefkeeper and auto dosing.

[@ParkersReef]

They’re both amazing units!!

[@bobstephenson3190]

Hey Sam, do you have a video showing your automatic water change set up? I’m curious how your setup works.

[@ParkersReef]

not a dedicated video on my current setup, but do have a few going over the infrastructure from my last tank. Just using Kamoer X1 Pro-T2 pumps to move water in and out. Moving 20lt a day out, 10lt a day in at SG of 1.052. That allows me to run a bit over 10lt a day of kalkwasser :)

[@bobstephenson3190]

@@ParkersReef okay thanks.

[@hanthi9463]

How many tests can you do with Lamotte Waterlink Spin Touch FF? Do you have to keep buying those disks? Thank you for the video!

[@ParkersReef]

Yes, the discs are single use. They cost about $8AUD per disc (you buy them in packs of 50). You can test as often as you like

[@mnarlis]

I have the Mastertroincs but need help getting the JBL iron test kit in the US. Do you know of any place there that would ship here to the US?

[@ParkersReef]

Afraid I don't.... They are often tricky to get here and the couple of places I do use cannot ship them to the US

[@desjardin5786]

Great video. Do you scrape the back wall to keep the coraline off?

[@ParkersReef]

Yes I do! I love a nice clean back wall, keeps the coral colours popping!

[@matcarpenter6527]

How about an update on the Mastertronic. How is it two years on?

[@ParkersReef]

yeah it's fantastic! Great bit of equipment

[@Reefbelontv]

Good vidéo 👍

[@ParkersReef]

thank you!

[@jwar3235]

G'day Sam Thank you I enjoy all your videos you are a great asset to our hobby 😀. Just wondering can you advise where I can buy a spin touch eg. Does dear park sell them . Thank you again keep up the great work Regards Tim

[@ParkersReef]

Hey Tim. Deer park can likely get one in for you, but be prepared - they are mighty expensive… Thanks for watching and for the kind words

[@jwar3235]

Sam I think I need a slap just ordered a spin touch. I have been reading up on them for some time and seem to give a consistent stable reading this I liked and decided to jump in. Thank you for your unbiased reviews and enjoy them cheers Tim

[@ParkersReef]

All the best with it Tim! I am sure you will love it :)

[@spicyreef]

Real question... those testing tubes look long, does your auto tester cycle the water through to get a fresh sample each time it tests? Maybe a missed a video where you show this, searched your site and couldn't find one. Can someone share me a link 🙂

[@ParkersReef]

Hey Spicy - yep the mastertronic has specific length hoses and it does indeed have the smarts to flush the lines all the way through to ensure you are testing the latest water. It's an amazing bit of kit, you can check out my full review here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXuYeqaofK6UiJI

[@brownvy]

You have so much gear. I'd love a video where you rank them in terms of what you couldn't live without.

[@ParkersReef]

Yeah not a bad idea, I think I might do that!

[@aaronfoss8956]

I have watched a few KZbinrs do tier list videos. I’d love to see one for reefing gear. Example idea you could drag and drop your equipment into categories like auto water top off is S-tier vs calcium reactor is B tier.

[@ParkersReef]

Yeah nice, I like it!

[@RogueAquariums]

Testing is paramount especially if something goes south in your tank. It’s always nice to know where your parameters are when maintaining a system especially when you have such a large investment. I use Neptunes Trident 🔱 and test my DKH 6x/day and my Ca & Mg 4x. I manually test my N03,P04 3x/wk. I’ve been thinking of buying the mastertronic and am still on the fence with it. Thanks for sharing Sam. 👌

[@ParkersReef]

That sounds like a robust test schedule! Thanks mate 👍🏻

[@aehicks1160]

Awesome video. I’ve been having the issue of feed pumps for my cal reactor. I had the original Kamoer too noisy, x1 pro noisy also, Versa has some type of clicking noise. What would you recommend

[@ParkersReef]

if the versa and kamoer are too noisy, I am not sure what I could recommend as they are the two quietest pumps I've come across. Perhaps investigate why they are noisy as they really shouldn't be?

[@richp8693]

Not sure which Kamoer you were using, but if you have a constant feed for the CaRX in my experience can’t go past the Kamoer STP. They are silent.

[@Bruinleeuwtje]

Very informative, thank you. One thing missing here for me is where you get your t-shirts :D

[@ParkersReef]

haha thanks mate, info on the t-shirts soon :)

[@halidmalik6306]

great role model I did not pay attention to my reef tank nearly loss everything the snail will be the first sign they were motionless I grab my test kit found out my salinty were way off but soon as I started to reset it back I loss my acro I know that coral gonna go sad but I save all the rest of reef now I learn my lesson test every time in the morning just to be safe when you got the time do it just do it

[@ParkersReef]

Cant go wrong with testing. Just make sure you don't over react if you get an odd reading. Sometimes the test can go wrong too, trust your instinct

[@halidmalik6306]

@@ParkersReef thanks mate all your video have been a great inspiration to the reefing community always learn something valuable I can put to practice

[@ParkersReef]

@@halidmalik6306 thanks mate I appreciate that!

[@alwaystmoza]

How it going with the API aquaspin? Seems to be very unreliable. I normally use Trident but AAS is cheaper and quicker to do from my LFS Only thing is the reading for PHos and Alkalinity from the AAS to my Hanna checker are always way off.

[@ParkersReef]

I actually use the lamotte brand and find it fantastic. The phosphate resolution isn’t the best, but tells me all I need to know. 0.2 change GFO, 0-0.1 it’s fine :)

[@JudicialMermaid]

Hi Sam! New Subscriber here! Thank you for your in-depth overview of caring for your tanks. I do have a question, do you have a link to some of these devices and extra tools you use on a personal website or elsewhere? :) Looking forward to new content!

[@ParkersReef]

Hey there mermaid Lagoon - welcome to the channel! I don't have affiliate links if that's what you mean, but I can give you links to the products to read up on further info! I have also done reviews on most of these products individually on the channel too! Salinity tester: milwaukeeinstruments.com/digital-salinity-retractometer/ KH Guardian: www.khguardian.com/product.php Reef Factory KH Keeper: www.reeffactory.com/?state=productsKHKeeperOverview Mastertronic: www.focustronic.net/products/core-products/mastertronic.html Spintouch: lamotte.com/waterlink-spin-touch Hanna checkers: hannainst.com.au/brands/marine-line Yell out if you have any questions at all!

[@ScottieMacF]

In the US, the KH Guardian is significantly more expensive than the already too expensive Alkatronic. Is the KHG $250 better than the Alkatronic? Is the KH Carer another viable option?

[@ParkersReef]

KH guardian is $400USD no?

[@rossthomas4125]

The bar for testing water parameters has officially been raised 👍👍

[@ParkersReef]

Hahaha oh dear I hope not, as with most things on the dream reef tank - it’s well overboard!!

[@rossthomas4125]

@@ParkersReef well I’m going to up my testing game at least anyway 🤣!

[@erictang5984]

thank you Sam for such a nice video! as with all auto tester, the better the calibration is done, the more accurate the unit is and you have truly demonstrated that with the Mastertronic!! well done!

[@ParkersReef]

Thanks for creating a wonderful bit of equipment Eric! We're all very appreciative of the work you guys do to both create, but also to continually improve the mastertronic!

[@dantasOrte]

Ciao. Ho acquistato anche io il kh keeper della reef factory. Ho fatto tutte le tarature come richiesto dall’app. Poi ho acquistato la soluzione Ati Reference da un litro ed ho provato a fare la misura del kh. Il keeper mi da una misura di kh più bassa pari a 1. Cosa posso fare? Grazie

[@ParkersReef]

puoi impostare un offset nel software di fabbrica del reef se vuoi che corrisponda alla soluzione di riferimento ATI?

[@dantasOrte]

@@ParkersReef c è questa possibilità nell’app di reef factory?

[@ParkersReef]

@@dantasOrte Penso che ci sia sì, è meglio controllare con il loro supporto

[@fitchaj]

Does your LFS hire their par meter out by mail? I can't find any to hire online. Cheers!

[@ParkersReef]

I don't know, best reach out to them (DeerPark Aquarium). I suspect not, but you could ask!

[@fitchaj]

@@ParkersReef thanks legend

[@lkapitan8232]

Sam, is your kH that low because you use natural seawater? This always confuses me that the "experts" say to use Ca, Mg, and kH levels that are above natural seawater. Why? Thanks.

[@ParkersReef]

Nope, my KH is that level because that’s the level I want 😅 Always aiming for about 7.5dkh, 460ppm calcium and 1450ppm mag

[@ParkersReef]

I should say why! I get better colours at lower alk and I wouldn’t say I have any growth issues :)

[@lkapitan8232]

@@ParkersReef I think I'm listening to the wrong people. I work hard to keep mine higher.

[@ParkersReef]

I’ve always had better results in this range, but every tank is different

[@smokeandkippers]

There’s something about a packed nano but your main tank is looking amazing. Imagine when it’s fully grown out! You’ll be dosing bucketfuls daily lol. It’s a nice problem though. Another livestock video would be great by the way. They’re very inspirational. Peace

[@ParkersReef]

Coral video coming tomorrow :)

[@jmdelira87]

What do you do for a living?

[@ParkersReef]

I build software integrations for a university :)

[@ppsthlm]

What are all the white dots on the background of your tank, Sam? Snails?

[@ParkersReef]

yeah they're trochus snails :)

[@spencerberesford6771]

I’m currently in the market for a KH controller to utilise Triton dosing, I’m wondering why you don’t use the KH keeper on your dream reef but the KH Guardian? Your review of the KH keeper was praising it extremely highly but I’ve read/been told of some not so good feedback on not just that one, but all controllers. I guess the problem I have is I’ve ended up being somewhat sceptical of reviews when the company gave it to the reviewer and they don’t use it on their most important tank. I did for a short time have a GHL KH Director but it was terrible as well as frustrating so that’s not an option. (By the way I did see the reply from GHL ref your ION review, shockingly bad! And another reason why I wouldn’t go there again). Unfortunately these things aren’t cheap (when your paying not given) So in short why the KHG over the KHK?

[@ParkersReef]

I run the KH keeper on my frag tank. Have had KHG's since they first came out (actually have a mention in an early firmware revision!) and know they very well - so it keeps its spot on my main tank. I appreciate the price (as I pay too!) and that is another reason for the KHG, but the KH keeper wins out on it's software and integration. If you are a technical person and comfortable connecting to your router and configuring IP addresses, the KHG still wins in my book. If you are not, the KH keeper is the only other choice and it is a great unit (that I still run to this day). If you are looking for something to manage triton dosing, you're probably going to need a few channels. Do you want it automated off your KH results, or just want to measure that as a reference? Perhaps a mastertronic with dosetronic is a better choice for your situation?

[@spencerberesford6771]

@@ParkersReef well ideally I’d like to have it automated thus giving me the most stable KH I could get, however there’s a trust element in that. As I mentioned, there was no way I’d have let the GHL I previously owned have dosing control as it was so unreliable with its repeated results. I would consider the additional reef-factory dosing pumps as a future option if I was confident the KH Keeper’s results were accurate and reliable and that would be extant with all the KH controllers. I have seen the Focustronic Alkatronic and Dosetronic however it is very expensive as a bundle here in the UK (£1600 in total) and that in many ways is my issue. Does the KH keeper cut it or is it just a lesser version of a good accurate controller?

[@cimitarthegrumpygamer3879]

Jesus Sam, there is about 10k worth of testing equipment on that thumbnail!

[@ParkersReef]

Haha yeah, it’s out of hand hey?!

[@cimitarthegrumpygamer3879]

We all would if we could :) I would rather see it from you and then know what I need to spend my hard earned on!@@ParkersReef

[@ParkersReef]

@cimitarthegrumpygamer3879 definitely some that are better suited than others for various reef tanks, so I hope I can help you make an informed decision :)

[@djjstylz]

I promise you the only people who hate on these testers are people who can't afford them. Haters gonna hate. Let them sit in wallow in their own hateful shitty lives. Keep on reefin!

[@ParkersReef]

Hahaha right on!

[@-Wreckanize-]

I'm becoming so lazy that ICP's might be the way to go for me lol

[@ParkersReef]

It’s not a bad way to go!!

[@fishstix1988]

I have to ask, how are you keeping a bellus Angel and foxface while having LPS. I heard they turn on you and nip even if they're fed well....what's your secret?

[@ParkersReef]

both are completely reef safe! There are some odd instances where fox face can eat some corals, but it's pretty rare

[@macintoshibm]

You have 5 likes and you haven’t even started! Impressive

[@ParkersReef]

Haha it’s what the people have been asking to see!!

[@macintoshibm]

@@ParkersReef The tanks look stunning, definitely you have put some time and effort into the hobby and your efforts have paid off. Keep up the good work and happy reefing. Thanks for sharing your experiences. On your next videos a zoom-in into your tank wile you speak would be awesome. You have set a bench mark for us to look up to. Cheers mate.

[@ParkersReef]

Be sure to check out todays video, can’t zoom in much more than that ;)

[@macintoshibm]

@@ParkersReef will do, activated notifications already, thanks.

[@jimb6117]

This seemed like more of a flex about all the flash expensive gear you have and really isn't much help to the average reefer I came for number's and such wasn't expecting to see all this gear that most people don't need or can afford, disapointed.

[@ParkersReef]

Hey fair enough, can’t please them all!

[@jimb6117]

@@ParkersReefHey that probably came out bad don't get me wrong I love your channel and I am a sub I was just more looking for a guide on ph calc salinity etc number's and while your tank looks amazing with the wow factor most of us can't afford it.

[@ParkersReef]

@jimb6117 yeah fair enough. This video was made to show people the different tools I use to measure my tank rather than the values themself. Let me know what you’d like to know and I’ll share it here

[@jimb6117]

@@ParkersReef That would be awesome thank you I've been out of marine for a good 30 years so I like to know all the numbers I know most are not set in stone but an idea as to what they should be would be great, I can't find them anywhere I talking about everything from temp to calc and mag etc I just don't know what many of them should be and I don't have access to sea water to test it and find out myself. A lot of the American channel's seem to do thing's a bit different to Australia so I'd perfer Aus knowledge for sure.

[@ParkersReef]

@jimb6117 sure: Temp: 25c Alk 8dkh Cal 440ppm Mag 1400ppm Nitrate 10ppm Phosphate 0.2ppm Hope that helps 👍🏻

[@nicholasgrohn1082]

Hanna magnesium 😅🤣💩

[@ParkersReef]

Absolute waste of time that one…