Reef test kits.

[Knight_Solaire01]

Hello everyone. I am looking for suggestions for reef test kits. The things I am looking to monitor is salt, PH, N, Alk, Calcium, Nitrates and Nitrites. I already have the protein skimmer set up and running. My plan is for this tank to be good for corals that do well with ponies(which need perfect water regardless if there is coral or not in the tank). What would be some good suggestions if I was on a budget?

 

[mtgibson2]

I use Salifert for all of my testing and I think it is great for the price. So I would recommend that.

 

[Mikedawg]

I like Nyos for the ease in color comparison; Hanna is a standard for Alk and other parameters (most expensive) as is Salifert and the Red Sea kits. When you search on this forum, you'll get a lot of different opinions; some people like Fords and some like Chevys. Experience with the kits is what will help you determine what to use going forward.

 

[Sparkymarc]

I agree with Salifert, as far as price goes. I would think about getting Hanna checkers for alk and phosphate in the future. A little expensive up front, but reagents are fairly cheap. I would look on the sales thread. People are always selling them. Are you still cycling?

 

[Knight_Solaire01]

The reason I ask is though this is an expensive hobby, I have done so slowly over a budget. But if a free water test every week(would be daily but my hours are weird) isn't enough, then I need to test myself.

 

[Mikedawg]

The reason I ask is though this is an expensive hobby, I have done so slowly over a budget. But if a free water test every week(would be daily but my hours are weird) isn't enough, then I need to test myself.

Yes, and don't let LFS get by with telling you your parameters are "fine." You need numbers and confidence that valid tests are being run in order to make adjustments in your husbandry. Frankly, I would be cautious if the store you go to recommended or didn't try to talk you out of getting a horseshoe crab for a Biocube

 

[Knight_Solaire01]

Yes, and don't let LFS get by with telling you your parameters are "fine." You need numbers and confidence that valid tests are being run in order to make adjustments in your husbandry. Frankly, I would be cautious if the store you go to recommended or didn't try to talk you out of getting a horseshoe crab for a Biocube

Oh they told me how big they get, but a customer there told me it takes a few years so my plan is to get him into a new tank by next year. He was an impulse buy because I love them and have tried and failed to hatch spring water triops. He won't be in there forever.

 

[Sparkymarc]

The reason I ask is though this is an expensive hobby, I have done so slowly over a budget. But if a free water test every week(would be daily but my hours are weird) isn't enough, then I need to test myself.

No doubt. Well with Salifert, you can’t go wrong with 100 test for aroun $15.

 

[mike550]

I use Hanna for salinity, alkalinity, and phosphate. Salifert for nitrate, calcium, and magnesium. I’m seriously considering Nyos or Red Sea for nitrates. Maybe a different way to measure salinity if I change to a bio-salt

 

[fish farmer]

I use salifert for most of my testing needs. I have a hanna checker for phosphates, but just bought a salifert to cross check. Refractometer for specific gravity/salinity.

 

[NS Mike D]

al of the above work. Different bells and whistles. 3 things,

1. check the expiration day. Sometimes test kits can sit on a shelf way too long

2. for Ph, NH3 and NO2, API is fine if you already have them.

3. +1 on a refractometer, just get a salt calibration solution with it and ignore the instructions to calibrate it with distilled or RODI water, and calibrate it to the solution. Brightwell sells one on amazon for under $6.


Don't sweat reading tests kits, it's maddening trying to get a precise reading and they have their own margin of error (these are hobby test kits, not NASA lab kits). I suggest do back to back tests at first to help develop some consistency and get a feel for the range within your readings.