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Originally Posted by Matt
The issue of water changes and their effect on Ca, KH, Mg, and Sr (and other trace elements) is interesting. My interpretation tells me that a)water changes are necessary; and b) they're not enough.
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I would say you hit the nail on the head with your interpretation.
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Originally Posted by Matt
I don't like the tedious tests we're already doing for Ca, KH, PH, temperature, salinity, NO2, NO3, and NH3. Adding additional tests for consumables like Mg, and Sr doesn't seem like much fun, and even so, there's still the acummulating stuff (Fe, Cu, sulfates, phosphates) which apparently need monitoring too.
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IMO, there is no need to regularly test for ammonia or nitrite once your tank has cycled and LR is cured. I definitely keep those test kits on hand in case something isn't right in one of my reefs, but have rarely used them in the past year or so.
Rarely test for nitrate anymore, either. Have enough non-invasive macroalgae in my tanks to utilize nitrate and phosphate, which I never test.
Temp is easy to test. Just put a permanent thermometer in the tank and look at it once a day.
pH is also easy to test if you have a probe and monitor. Again, all you have to do is look at the monitor and you have the pH down to two decimals. Initial cost will set you back a bit, but will make up in usefulness right away.
The best way to measure salinity is by using a refractometer. Pretty easy to use, but initial cost can be annoying.
PITA tests are definitely Ca and Mg, at least for me. Alk testing isn't quite so bad, but can still a bit of a pain. These are the three that I most concentrate on.