New reefer looking for a test kit (recommendations)

[bluehusky424]

Looking for a test kit/ set of kits to use for a beginner level saltwater tank. Ill be doing mostly softies, maybe dipping my toes into lps if it goes well.
I saw this set of test kits that seemed to cover most everything: https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-master-test-kit-bundle-bulk-reef-supply.html
Wondering if that will be good for me, or if there are other parameters i should be more concerned with. I heard the API test kit is junk so I will stay away from it.

 

[Reef By Steele Verified Sponsor]

I didn’t look at the brs, but I used Red Sea and was really happy until I got Hanna testers as digital is better for me than seeing color changes.

 

[Aaron75]

Ya, that kit is solid. I personally use Hanna ULR Phosphate, Hanna Alk, Hanna HR Nitrate and then Salifert for Calcium and Magnesium.

 

[bluehusky424]

Ya, that kit is solid. I personally use Hanna ULR Phosphate, Hanna Alk, Hanna HR Nitrate and then Salifert for Calcium and Magnesium.

As a beginner do you think itll cover everything I need? For the entry level corals atleast.

 

[Gtinnel]

I strongly recommend Hanna for phosphate (I use the ULR version). For nitrate the HR Hanna is nice but if you want to save some money I’ve used salifert and like it also. I also use Hanna for alkalinity and magnesium, but I’ve used the Red Sea pro kit for these and calcium and never had an issue with any of them either.

 

[Aaron75]

Just beginning and soft corals, you could probably get by with just Nitrate and Phosphate honestly

 

[jda]

Got to amazon and get Salifert for Alk, Calcium and maybe Nitrate. This is enough for now. They are cheaper, super accurate and easy to use.

Come back to phosphate later, if at all. You don't need to really test magnesium if you are doing softies and can add it in a ratio with calcium.

 

[Spare time]

You don't need the hanna alk. The salifert or red sea pro are both cheaper and do the same thing quicker.

 

[Aaron75]

You don't need the hanna alk. The salifert or red sea pro are both cheaper and do the same thing quicker.

Hanna Alk takes like 30 seconds.

 

[paragrouper]

Ya, that kit is solid. I personally use Hanna ULR Phosphate, Hanna Alk, Hanna HR Nitrate and then Salifert for Calcium and Magnesium.

Same here

 

[rtparty]

Salifert alkalinity and calcium. Hanna for phosphate. Keep it simple. Perform water changes. You will be set for quite a while

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

Use Hanna, work for me, I like numbers. Ca Alk NO3 PO4 and PH. Mg dont test much but salifert, using AF Reef salts keeps its proper w water changes.

 

[Reefer911]

Hanna for nitrate and Phosphate. Salifert for alk, Ca, Mg. Salifert kits are quick and easy.

 

[Spare time]

Hanna Alk takes like 30 seconds.

Same with the non-hanna tests.

 

[Spare time]

The only hanna test kit that I think everyone should have if possible is the phosphorus ulr or phosphate ulr. Everything else can be done cheaper. However, I really like the hanna hr nitrate test kit, particularly since I am colorblind.

 

[tzabor10]

Looking for a test kit/ set of kits to use for a beginner level saltwater tank. Ill be doing mostly softies, maybe dipping my toes into lps if it goes well.
I saw this set of test kits that seemed to cover most everything: https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-master-test-kit-bundle-bulk-reef-supply.html
Wondering if that will be good for me, or if there are other parameters i should be more concerned with. I heard the API test kit is junk so I will stay away from it.

I bought that. They are al easy and fairly accurate. Be sure to test regularly and record your results in a log.

 

[Aaron75]

Same with the non-hanna tests.

You just said they do them quicker. For someone that expects all Hanna tests to take 3 or 7 minutes, that might have been a misleading statement.

 

[gbroadbridge]

Hanna Alk takes like 30 seconds.

You can measure 10ml, run the test, and clean up everything in 30 secs?
I can with Salifert