Mr. Saltwater Tank TV Friday Am Quick Tip #101: I Need A Good Rinse…With The Right Stuff
Running regular test on your saltwater tank is important. Test results let you know what is going on with your tank’s water chemistry so you can make adjustments as necessary. Once you are done running your tests, make sure you do this simple step to ensure your test results stay accurate.
Links in this show: www.mrsaltwatertank.com/testkits
Browse the Store! Questions?
Good tip Mark, thanks.
Good Morning Thanks for the Tip. The link to the test kit list does not work.
Mark
Got the below message from my security software when I attempted to click on your test kit link. I have never had an issue with “trusted site” regarding MrSaltWaterTank before. Know you are good but thought you might want to know.
Rick
ERic…the link opens in a new window. If you are using a pop-up blocker software then it might be blocking the new window from opening
Rick…We are aware of the issue and are working on a fix
Mark,
I asked this question a while back….why do you NOT recommend a Hanna Checker for calcium? I know it’s troublesome for some people to get consistency, is that the reason? Also, regarding today’s tip…rinsing the Hanna checker phosphate vials with RO/DI water is particularly important
Because tap water is loaded with phosphates.
Hi, you did’nt explain how to make the testes. If someone have to much Nitrate or Nitrite, the test you mentioned can show a 0-value. So it is recommanded to dissolve some of the aquarium water in for example 1 liter of pure RO water and take the test water from there before doing the test to have an accurate result.
A good video on how to do accurate tests… https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ZPiDRid_Km8
Hi Mark, you should do a show on testing strips vs. liquid testing.
Hey Mark, just wondering did you time out what you were going to say with your computer monitors, because they both shut off with perfect timing at the end of the video. My wife and I enjoy your videos, they are very helpful, keep up the great work.
Thanks for using my tip! I feel like a celebrity now!
Hey Mark,
i think its important to rinse your vials first with the aquarium water you are testing. Most of the instructions say to do this. removes any trace residual i guess.
Good morning. Ok. Rinse test equipment with ro/di water. To rinse out my reactors, skimmer, return pump or just anything that has to be serviced and changed; do I use ro/di water as well??
Have a great day
Ann Marie
Mark, I’ve heard “consistent testing is important” from a lot of sources, but what is consistent? Every day, every week, every full moon? How often do you test? Do you do every test each time? Thanks,
Kyle
Kyle…I test weekly.
Ann..just testing equipment.
ska d…you rinse the vials with aquarium water BEFORE you run your test. This tip is dealing with what to do AFTER you run the test
Thanks for the tip Michael!
Rose…no need for a show on that one as I always recommend liquid testing.
I was just wondering if there was anything you didn’t like about the red sea pro test kits. It’s what I use and am curious why none made the list?
Thanks for the quick tips by the way! Great resource.
Good morning Mark, thanks for this Friday’s tip! That’s funny you talked about this subject today, as I just tested all of my water parameters on my display reef tank. I read somewhere to do this, I believe on the instructions for my first Hydrometer. And I have proof that it works also… I have always rinsed out my vials and Hyrdrometer with Distilled water per the instructions. And the difference is amazing! My 6 month old cheap plastic Hydrometer is still crystal clear to this day, and seems very accurate when I compare it to water tested by a scope. I recently purchased a tank from someone off of Craigslist and got a box of goodies to go along with it. Including 2 Deep Six Hydrometers that were completely cloudy, salty, and non functional from not rinsing. lol. So point proven! I just keep an 87 cent gallon of distilled water strictly for this purpose. Saves your investment in test kits and everything else. Thanks as usual Mark, good call!
You mention you prefer liquid testing. Are the add drops and compare color test really any better than a digital read out tester?
Jason…when available, I usually prefer the digital read out testers like the hanna checkers over the liquid drops and color card tests
Sorry Mark,
I get it now, you don’t respond to negative questions about a sponsor’s product…like why you don’t recommend a Calcium Hanna Checker. I won’t put you in that position again.
Good tip Mark. Thx
Before I had an RO/DI unit I got in to the habit of rinsing my test vials out with tap water, than securely closing them before I stored them. If you’ve got the right kind of vials and lids, this prevents the small amount of tap water inside from drying out and leaving scale deposits. That way when you next test, rinsing the vial with tank water several times should remove any contaminants that are still dissolved in the tap water in the vial.