What to Test For?
D. Patrick Donston
Boron
A neglected element. Most tanks have a highly deviating boron concentration.
A boron concentration too high upsets many essential biological processes.
A too low concentration will result in low coral growth.
Calcium
The most essential element for stony corals in a reef aquarium. Calcium
must be maintained at a certain level for sustenance and growth. VERY
IMPORTANT!!
Oxygen
Dissolved oxygen is important in freshwater and marine aquariums. Oxygen
is the element for life. A lowly circulated or filtered aquarium will
show low levels of Oxygen.
Phosphate
Phosphorus must be maintained in freshwater plant tanks and reef aquariums
to rid of undesirable algae growth. Phosphates can be harmful to small
polyp stony corals at moderate levels.
Silicates
Measured in tap water, reef and plant aquariums, low levels must be
maintained to prevent diatom algae blooms or algae cultures where phosphates
are negligible.
Iron
The most essential element for live plant growth and sustenance. Iron
is the key additive in a freshwater plant system and must be maintained
at certain levels.
Strontium
Stony corals use calcium and strontium to build skeletons. Although
strontium is not used as much as calcium, there have been studies showing
strontium depletion as a major problem in coral growth. Strontium is
also important for coraline algae growth.
Magnesium
The major catalyst needed for coral absorption of any key trace element.
Calcium, Strontium, Iodine, etc. can be plentiful in a reef aquarium.
Without Magnesium available, the coral has no way to absorb these elements
for catalytic growth. Magnesium is also important for coraline algae
growth.
Iodine
The key element for soft coral, mushrooms, xenia, and other polyp growth
in a reef aquarium. Ninety percent (90%) of most reef tanks are lacking
this element even though the aquarist is adding Iodine!
Carbonate Hardness
KH/alkalinity
African Cichlids, reef, marine and freshwater tanks all must know the
buffer capacity of their water to maintain ph at their respective levels.
Activated Carbon
Tests the activated carbon itself on the remaining capacity. The test
is a semi quantitative one and lets you know when to change the Carbon.
