Testing - Test Kits - Advice and Counsel, Please!

[Matt]

Hi,

I'm interested in water quality tests in your nanos.

1) What do you test for, and how often?

2) What test kit(s) do you have and/or recommend?

3) Do you use any additives routinely? What elements/brands?

Regards,
Matthew

[BCOrchidGuy]

With your nano, depending on size I'd say nitrates, pH, Ca, Alk and of course SG you can and should also test for Mg. This depends al ot on what you're keeping in your tank, if it's just a couple of softies or if you're keeping SPS.
Nitrates will be your biggest concern with a smaller tank so keep an eye on them, do small frequent water changes and feed sparingly, most commercial fish foods contain phosphates and you need to keep them under control.
Name brand test kits are alright for the most part but if you purchase a premium kit you'll have less worries. Get Salifert if you can, I've used Seachem, Hagen and Tetra's all with good results but remember to double check once in a while to make sure your reagents are working properly.

Doug