Today there are a few options available for keeping tabs on how a tank is doing. Perhaps the most common method is to use hobby-grade test kits like those from Salifert. For many years I used these kits to monitor key SPS parameters such as Calcium, Alkalinity, Magnesium, Phosphate and Nitrate. They are simple to use and can produce results in a few minutes.

But advances in the hobby have made lab-grade testing available to reef keepers. I consider alkalinity to be one of the most important elements to monitor on a constant basis and a few years ago I started to use the KH Director from GHL. Another option is the Alkatronic from CoralVue.

With these types of units you can not only test one time per day but multiple times per day, a great option for reefers who typically test once a week with hobby grade kits.MORE