Thinking of buying this package

[2639]

Is this totaly necessary? http://marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=SFPP
This obviousely is for the SERIOUS reefer. Would using this be over kill for the aquarist just wanting to have a few corals?

[Zack]

It does seem a bit much, but if you are dosing any of those chemicles such as idione or magnesium I would highly suggest getting a test kit for them. Are you adding anything to the tank now?

[2639]

nothing right now...I was wondering exactly what should I be testing for and adding?

[FishinInTheDark]

It really boils down to personal preference. You already have the initial tests, but you might find that you don't use the ammonia and nitrite much at all after the tank ages a bit. You'll watch nitrates a little longer, until you get your water change schedule and/or refugium lined out. If you run into algae problems, you'll want to test nitrate and phosphate. Once you get more into corals, you'll want to balance your calcium/alkalinity/magnesium. That's as far as I go, but I don't dose my tank. There are lots out there who regulate their iodine levels as well. So, to make a short story long: you don't need every test under the sun. As your tank matures, you will fall into a pattern of monitoring the elements that you deem important, but I can guarantee you don't have to test for every item in the table of elements!

[icereefer]

short and sweet conni well said.

[Doctor_Reef]

Ditto's......