Coral won't grow!

[Myka]

Originally Posted by Metrontech

Most lfs use that kit to run there tanks

I'll see what I can do

Go to a different LFS. The better stores will nit be using API.

[gobytron]

Originally Posted by Myka

Go to a different LFS. The better stores will nit be using API.

Pretty sure most stores just use whichever test kit they get the best price on.

I would bet most vendors/manufacturers even offer an incentive to use theirs in store.

I wouldn't base the quality of an LFS on the brand of text kit they use.

[RMC]

I thought I could cheap out on test kits and didn't take the advice of my LFS when they recommended the premium kits. I started getting test results that didn't make sense with the cheap API kits, simular to your expierence. Then I ended up buying the premium kits and got the accuracy I needed.

Lessons learned, don't cheap out on this hobby if you want to be successful! The people on this forum are knowledgable and want you to succeed. This is a great community to be part of.

ps. If you want my API kits come by and I'll trade them for 1 beer each. I'll even accept cheap beer instead of the premium stuff

[gobytron]

Whats really crazy is that a company can continue to sell kits that are so inaccurate....

Especially since testing is so integral to reefing in particular.

Though I guess there is lots of examples of inferior technology that continues to sell

[Myka]

Originally Posted by gobytron

Whats really crazy is that a company can continue to sell kits that are so inaccurate....

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...fm?pcatid=4400

I rest my case.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by Myka

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...fm?pcatid=4400

I rest my case.

I had a sea clone once

[Myka]

Originally Posted by Metrontech

On my calcium reading I was wrong it's around 380

Nitrate - 0
Phosphate - < .25
KH - 9

That seems to be in the right ranges

Last question for the pros... What's the best salinity level?

1.0264 SG or 35 ppt is NSW (natural seawater) so that's always a common recommendation for reef tanks. Some people keep FO (fish only) tanks at lower salinity.

Your phosphate is quite high. Is 0.25 ppm the lowest reading on the test kit that you're using? Are you saying that there is color in the test tube, but it is less than the lowest reading?

Originally Posted by Aquattro

I had a sea clone once

Me too. It's embarrassing. I even paid $250 for a Prizm protein skimmer in the mid-90s.