Most Needed Test Kits?

[Evan28395950]

Hey all, so I’m getting into keeping some sps, and I wanted to make sure I have to right test kits to keep in check with how my tanks doing. Which are the most important tests for keeping corals? Already have: ph, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite tests

 

[Evan28395950]

Would the Red Sea foundation test kit be a good one to start with?

 

[ZoWhat]

1) a credit score report
2) a financial analysis of disposable income



.

 

[saltyhog]

Nitrate, Phosphate, alkalinity are the most important but calcium and magnesium are also essential!

I use Hanna checkers for alkalinity and phosphate. For nitrate, calcium and magnesium I use Salifert. The Red Sea kits are very good too. I have used the Red Sea pro kits with good results.

 

[Billldg]

If SPS is your goal then Alk, Cal, Mag, Nitrate, and Phosphate test kits r needed IMO. I currently use the Red Sea Foundation kit along with a Hanna Phosphate LR checker. I also use a Hanna Alk checker. You really can't go wrong with Red Sea test kits. Other test kits are also good, I just can't give my opinion as I have only used those listed above.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

I have not tested ammonia or nitrites in at least 6 or 7 years.

+1
Good to know you alk, ph, nitrate, Calc, and mag. I use Salifert and have liked it. The Hanna checkers are pretty cool. Red Sea kits are good from what I heard but never us3d them.

 

[Evan28395950]

If SPS is your goal then Alk, Cal, Mag, Nitrate, and Phosphate test kits r needed IMO. I currently use the Red Sea Foundation kit along with a Hanna Phosphate LR checker. I also use a Hanna Alk checker. You really can't go wrong with Red Sea test kits. Other test kits are also good, I just can't give my opinion as I have only used those listed above.

So I’m thinking this should be good then?

 

[saltyhog]

I would get the ULR phosphate Hanna checker. https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/phos...rimeter-hi774-hanna-checker-marine-water.html

The one you listed(Low Range) doesn't check in the range we aim for in our tanks.

 

[KrisReef]

Hanna Phosphorus Ultra low range ppB Checker (HI-736)




Hanna Checker Marine Alkalinity dKH HI772 is also a nice meter.

 

[Gareth elliott]

Depends on your system, if dosing via 2 part or kalk completely agree above.

If primarily using water changes for macro and micro replacement and low coral load on a tank with low coraline(new tank)

Alk, no3, po4 and save the money of the other test kits a digital refractometer. Almost every new tank coral loss thread is due to misreading or miscalibrating a hydrometer or refractometer.

As tank matures add the ca and mg test kits.

Use No3 and po4 tests to adjust feeding amounts and schedule. Alk to verify wc is achieving the desired results.

Some test kits 99% of reefers will not ever need. Potassium, iodine, and strontium. Dont buy these starting out

 

[chizer]

The reef foundation in your cart is for dosing.
I use Hanna ulr for phosphate and redsea for alk, CA, Mg and nitrate. I also like the Milwaukee for salinity but a refractometer will work

 

[ylreefer]

1) a credit score report
2) a financial analysis of disposable income



.

[emoji23] He ain't lying

 

[Crashjack]

Personally, I like Elos and NYOS phosphate test kits over Hanna (way over). Hanna is great for alk. Salifert is good for Ca and Mg. NYOS has worked well for me with low range nitrates but after you get over 12 ppm or so, your tests get darker yellow while the color card turns orange, making it pretty unreadable. Red Sea kits are fine but seem more complicated than most others.

 

[Tastee]

I use the Red Sea Pro kits myself - Foundation Pro for Alk, Mg, Ca and Algae Control Pro for NO3 and PO4.

 

[Evan28395950]

Alright so my tank is currently coming up on 1yr old, my main reason atm for buying these so quick atm is trying to get to the bottom of my frogspawn problem. I had my first frogspawn since 2 months after I got the tank, it mysteriously started dying about 3 months ago. I decided to give it one more try and get one, it did great for the first 2-3 weeks. Then now it’s starting to die, only major thing I changed was cleaning my powerhead (increasing flow a lot), but i made sure frogspawn was getting right ammount. But I’m also buying this for when I get more into sps as well

 

[Evan28395950]

So I’m thinking this is good then?

 

[Act1n1c_L1fe]

So I’m thinking this is good then?

Don’t get the Red Sea test kit. Screwed me. Alk reading was 9 but alk was at 6dkh. Didn’t catch it till my **** started dying. Lost hundreds in coral and my beautiful prized Indo torch that would be worth a few hundred on its own today. R.I.P. beautiful Indo torch. 2/1/18 - 8/17/18

 

[rkpetersen]

Potassium, iodine, and strontium. Dont buy these starting out

I like to keep an eye on the potassium. It's not that hard to get it too high or too low. Corals don't always like it, esp too low.
I use the Salifert kit. It's actually quite accurate with an easy titration endpoint.

I have tried various iodine and strontium tests in the past, and while some may have at times gotten them to work correctly, I never have.

When it's in the budget, I recommend getting an electronic refractometer. You'll check your salinity more often.

 

[jwt1603]

I have the relatively new Hanna Phosphate ULR checker. It's a lot easier to use than the phosphorous checker then having to do the math. Seems to work pretty well. Hanna for alk. Salifert for mag, cal and nitrate. Milwaukee for salinity.

 

[Evan28395950]

Don’t get the Red Sea test kit. Screwed me. Alk reading was 9 but alk was at 6dkh. Didn’t catch it till my **** started dying. Lost hundreds in coral and my beautiful prized Indo torch that would be worth a few hundred on its own today. R.I.P. beautiful Indo torch. 2/1/18 - 8/17/18

Wow, that’s too bad.
Anyone else have a misreading with Red Sea?