When to start more in depth water test when adding LPS
 

I have just added 3 frags to my tank, Candy Cane (3 polyps), Moon (about 20 X 1/2" polyps) and a Zenia (about 3" diameter). In addition i have a Colt that is about 8" tall with numerous branches and a small colony of about 20 shrooms. My tank is only 40 gallons and all my standard tests (ph 8.3, No2 0, No3 0, Am 0, SG) are all ok. From what i have been reading i will need to start watching my alk and dHK. I have the saltwater API test kit, what other tests should i be performing, or am i premature since my colonies are so small?

I would test weekly. I would also recommend calcium and magnesium tests.
-also, on a side note, if you are not already running carbon, I would start. Colts can release a toxin into the water that LPS are sensitive to.

I am going to J&L ths week to get a bunch of stuff i need, looking at their site, i am not sure which test kit or individual ones to get, are the Hagen ones any good? I have the API salt kit now.

You need to start testing and dosing calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium when you add hard corals. You should have tested these and had them in the proper ranges before adding your new corals to reduce stressing them, but hindsight is 20/20. ;) Imo, the only test kits worth buying for cal, alk, and mag are Salifert or Elos. You can cheap out for your other tests (although a high quality nitrate kit is also essential imo), but not the main ones.

Take a peek at the guide in my signature for testing, dosing, and an easy explanation of these elements.

Elos and Salifert test kits are great and easy to use.

Gotcha! I will make sure to get these brands when i go there, as well as any additives.:redface:

I would go with Elos kits. if your goin to the coast, stop in at Aquatic addictions. They will be more helpful than ... (imo).

Any particular reason Aquatic Addictions vs J&L or Big Al's?

Myka, i noticed you have a 33G tank (looks very nice by the way), do you find you have to add additives very often, or do you find that most of the requirements are met with frequent water changes? In my 40g tank, i change out 5 gallons per week currently.

just worth checkin out , and its on the way to van :)

right at the Mt Lehman exit.

they have a pretty nice setup goin there, and lotsa stuff too :)

cool, i stopped in there last time i was down, so i will check them out again. They didnt have what i was after last time (Koralia ph), but it seems like they are the only ones that carry salifert test kits which the concensus seems to be that they are the best!

OA (Ocean Aquatics) has Salifert too.