305 Steve
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I'm in Florida, Just made the migration in March!
Starting to cycle?
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EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal
Just another girl who likes fish
If you can't resist the urge to mess with things, grab a cheap microscope and periodically look at all the stuff in a drop of water
EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal
Just another girl who likes fish
Ok, then the PM I sent is still relevant, lol
And as far as the test kits themselves, API and Red Sea are popular because they are inexpensive, but many here don't trust them.
I like some of the Hana Checkers for some tests, I got most of mine used like new over time.
Otherwise, the Salifert test kits are very popular. They work like a titration, and are much easier to read than the type where you have to match the color to the chart:
Salifert Ammonia Test Kit on Chew.com
Salifert Nitrate Test Kit on Chew.com
And I think a lot of people like the Nyos test kit for nitrate. It's a color changing one, but it's much easier to read than most:
Nyos Nitrate Test Kit at Bulk Reef Supply.com
I'm sure others can offer further recommendations.
I like some of the Hana Checkers for some tests, I got most of mine used like new over time.
Otherwise, the Salifert test kits are very popular. They work like a titration, and are much easier to read than the type where you have to match the color to the chart:
Salifert Ammonia Test Kit on Chew.com
Salifert Nitrate Test Kit on Chew.com
And I think a lot of people like the Nyos test kit for nitrate. It's a color changing one, but it's much easier to read than most:
Nyos Nitrate Test Kit at Bulk Reef Supply.com
I'm sure others can offer further recommendations.
EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal
Just another girl who likes fish
These are all great options, but at this point in the process, a salifert nitrate test is really all that's needed... API is fine for ammonia and once the Salifert reagents are used up, if the OP wants a fancier nitrate test, he can invest in one. (And no, I have no stock in Salifert, just trying to simplify
)I agree! I'm in the market for one myself. I found this recent thread helpful.If you can't resist the urge to mess with things, grab a cheap microscope and periodically look at all the stuff in a drop of water
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/microscope-recommendation.1067333/
It looks like a used Nikon Alphaphot is the best value for a serious scope, but for a budget scope it looks like the AmScope is popular. At least one R2R member in that thread mentioned a scope on Amazon by Swift. I'm now looking at a Swift, I think. I did a lot of microscopy in college, and I know you get what you pay for with a scope, and you want quality optics. But for home use on my aquarium I think these Swift scopes hit a sweet spot of features and price point. They seem to get good reviews too.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08DHQJD9B/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A30TU0C34MP3SD&psc=1
And I'm also considering a low power, stereo microscope for ID'ing more macro critters. What fun!
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I just wanted to give the OP some reliable test options that were much cheaper than the Checkers ;-)These are all great options, but at this point in the process, a salifert nitrate test is really all that's needed... API is fine for ammonia and once the Salifert reagents are used up, if the OP wants a fancier nitrate test, he can invest in one. (And no, I have no stock in Salifert, just trying to simplify
