Matt's Reef Tank | Episode 3 | Testing Part 1 -- the Basics

This episode of Matt's Reef Tank is going to be a little boring for a lot of people, but I thought it would be important. This is part 1 of a 2-part episode; I broke them up because it got a little long. The first part will go over the basics of testing. I wanted to briefly explain what processes happen inside your tank and what byproducts and chemicals are used and created in the process.

In the next episode, I will test all my parameters on camera, and walk you thru testing all the major indicators in your tank, whether you have a fish only or a reef tank. I will also do a water chance so you can see the ins and outs of that.

REEF ROLL CALL:

DISCLAIMER:
Please note that the information I am giving you I have learned myself. You have to check yourself what you need to do. I simply wanted to put together some helpful pieces of information that I think could be interesting for other reefers. If I say something wrong or misspoke, please let me know.

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GEAR:

[thomaspweaver]

I'm literally sitting here with my new API test kit doing this as you do it! So excited to be getting back into the hobby with my 16g nano.

[gregstephens]

Best introductory videos out there. Thanks?

[Isaactorres]

great videos Matt! I love how you just talk about your tank. I could listen to your videos every day! great content!

[genealameda]

Very nicely done Matt. Two cameras was a nice touch

[trancespired]

Wow very nice video enjoyed it as was informative. Deciding on starting a pico or nano reef tank and hopefully this series can give me jump start on care of the tank! I would love to see you goto other reef stores in your area really enjoyed watching that previous video.

[mitian]

Wow you explain so well everything I follow a lot of smart people and I don't want to mention names, but I did like the way you explained everything, I have been a fresh water tank all my life but starting this year I started a saltwater tank. (I should have done it long time ago) any way you are like my brother very good and smart for everything you do, you keep the video interesting I like the way you explain things and how you do it, I am a big fan of yours. I wish you will do more updates but I guess you are a busy man, and want to conquer all frontiers. but maybe at least once a month for all the fans out here. Thank you for sharing your knowledge... I don't expect your reply but I hope you read my message at least, and know that I appreciate your videos they are fun to watch and keep looking for them. Have a nice day, and come back to America, we need more people like you here.... :)

[JaYoeNation]

Thomas.... algae breakouts are a pain in the butt.  Sometimes water changes are not enough to get rid of it all.  do you have hair algae or red or what?  i find that if i combine water changes (check your PPM of rodi water! you may have bad water from the start) with a reduction of feeding it is a good solution.  If you can, try to help things along by grazing the algae yourself.  It can be time consuming, but otherwise it is hard to get on top of things.  I find that if i pull off whatever algae i can down as low as i can, the cleaner crew take it from there and the remaining algae starve.  but if i don't, then it just doesn't go away.  Also.... hermit crabs and other cleaners to make sure that waste doesn't sit around too long.  good luck!

[Saifkhan-tcuq]

SOME of the best marine videos i am seeing :) loving becoz u include every detail :) :D

Thanks :) 

[frostedtangerine]

Good introductory video, only thing I would change is the bit about nitrates, 0 nitrates isn't actually ideal, corals are animals and they have symbiotic algae within their tissue which feeds the polyps and that algae needs nitrates to to grow. Most people recomen a maximum of 5ppm for SPS coral, a maximum of 20ppm for LPS coral and a maximum of 50ppm for Soft coral. But undetectable nitrates usually cause slower growth and other problems. For SPS dominant tanks the lower the better as long as there is a detectable amount.

[DeeFromBrooklyn]

I like your videos. We are mad scientist when you think of how many chemical interactions we deal with on a regular basis. Any rare species found over there in your system?

[thomasmackey]

Hey I have a 45g saltwater tank I have had and algae break out for about 3 months now. The tank is about one years old and I was wondering if you had any tips on how I could get rude of it? and keep up the great videos I love the reef role calls!

[rockyfehrgaming]

Very good I like all your videos, Can any one help me every thing is at zero except my phosphate is at 0.5 and ph is at 8.2 why is my water green

[marknutt]

You're like a fishy Heisenberg.. :P

[epicnas]

What lights are you using they look like the YMCA v2 iluminar