Best starter test kit? Buy individuals or a set?

[Pedal Dangit]

Just getting started again after long hiatus. Whats a good kit for checking ammonia and nitrate and the basics, not worried about Calcium and Alk yet unless it is a value added to a multi kit.

Is something like the red sea marine care muli kit reliable and accurate? or should I just get a couple of individual tests? I know this depends on the exp date

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/red-sea-marine-care-test-kit.html

TIA-

 

[Reefer Deez]

I went with the redsea marine multi care kit at first, I'm not by any means saying that it's the best but I found it was to use and read. Then upgraded to Hanna marine checkers for nor accurate readings. So imo you can't go wrong with the redsea kit!

 

[Brew12]

I think the API test kits are great for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate for a new aquarium. After the first month or two you won't use the ammonia and nitrite tests again so no reason to spend more. That gives you time to practice testing on cheaper kits and will help you figure out which nicer test kits to get in the future.

 

[redpine42]

I'm using that Red Sea kit in your link, plus all the Hanna kits, plus the Red Sea pro for measuring Magnesium.

 

[Super Fly]

I went with the redsea marine multi care kit at first, I'm not by any means saying that it's the best but I found it was to use and read. Then upgraded to Hanna marine checkers for nor accurate readings. So imo you can't go wrong with the redsea kit!

This

 

[WWIII]

Api is fine for the cycle, even though it gives a false .25 ppm ammonia reading many times. It does the job. Then I prefer red sea for calcium, Lamotte for alkalinity, and salifert for magnesium. Then I like salifert for nitrate and hanna ulr phosphorus checker for phosphate. Hope that helps! I've used quite a few of them.

Hanna checker is ok for alkalinity as well, I just prefer the Lamotte. It's easy and I feel like it gives a truer reading. Hanna is consistent though.