KH levels
- Thread starter ANDREWNICOLE
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Its the API kit. It gives us a chart with levels but noone has told us what our levels should be
IslandLifeReef
Valuable Member
If you are starting a frag tank, you will need a better test kit than the API kit. When you say that all of your levels are good, that really doesn't tell us much. Your dKh should range anywhere from 7-11, depending on your lighting and what your other parameters are. It is also important for your parameters to stay stable. I would recommend investing in a Salifert, Red Sea, or Hanna test kit or a combination of the three before investing in any coral frags.
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Where do I find any of these 3 tests. All the lfs around where I am sells API.
IslandLifeReef
Valuable Member
I see from your other posts that you lost all of your fish. I would order the test kits from BRS and then wait to add coral until you get the issues in your tank sorted out. It will save you money and frustration in the end.
LBReefer
Well-Known Member
I'd recommend checking out the 52 weeks of reefing series on BRS and the the ultimate startup guide here on R2R.
The learning curve here is steep and expensive. I did a lot of dumb stuff and have wasted thousands of dollars. Be smarter than me
The learning curve here is steep and expensive. I did a lot of dumb stuff and have wasted thousands of dollars. Be smarter than me
jtl
Well-Known Member
API for ALK is good enough.
Nothing wrong with API for monitoring ALK. This guy spent a bunch of time and money doing his analysis of test kits.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2558208
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IslandLifeReef
Valuable Member
Even the author admits that API has a bad rap. He states that it's because they are cheap, but I find it hard to believe that so many reefers would avoid a test kit simply because it costs less.
Personally, I think we invest to much into this hobby to try to save a few dollars on a test kit that has a reputation of not being very accurate.
jtl
Well-Known Member
Did you even read all of his test results. API for ALK is as good as any and less money. If you want to spend more go for it.
IslandLifeReef
Valuable Member
Yes I did. I noticed that the author did not create a known dKh solution, nor did he test accuracy at different ranges, i.e. does API read 10 dKh for a reading of 9.4 to 10.6. If you want to use API, that's your choice. IMO, if I am going to spend hundreds to thousands of dollars for a coral tank, I'm willing to spend a little extra for a more accurate test kit.
As another example, with API, if the dKh tests at 9, whats to say that the dKh wasn't actually 8.5. The next time you test, it reads 10 dKh. Whats to say that the actual dKh wasn't 10.4. That's a swing of almost 2 dKh though the test only showed a 1 dKh swing. That simply isn't accurate enough for my tastes in an effort to maintain stable water conditions.
Again, to each their own, this is just my opinion.
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jtl
Well-Known Member
Instead of bashing the guy who spent time and money on testing, even sending to an independent lab why don't you do some comparative testing of your own? What makes you think your test kit is better just because it costs more? You do realize of course that all test kits are "hobby" grade so about all you can hope for is an estimate.
Dburr1014
10K Club member
I use my coral as a bar for general health of the tank. I use my api to test alk. If it gives me a wild number I redo the test. When I log my numbers the graph says I'm pretty stable.
Point is, as long as you do your tests the same way every time, it's going to give you pretty close to the same results. Each manufacturer may give you a different number on the scale but it should stay close to that number if your tank is stable.
Cheers
Point is, as long as you do your tests the same way every time, it's going to give you pretty close to the same results. Each manufacturer may give you a different number on the scale but it should stay close to that number if your tank is stable.
Cheers
