Test kits for new tank

[Cherie cook]

Anyone have any suggestions for test kits for a new 80 gallon setup...I need everything since I'm just returning to the hobby (addiction) after a few years off!

 

[dbl]

Well, this is a question you could potentially get a whole lot of different answers to. I personally use a Hanna's for Alk and Phoasphate and Salifert for basically everything else.

But I have a little different take on test kits than most. If you'd care to take a read, click the link below.

https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/the-best-test-kit-a-different-philosophy.80/

 

[DesertReefT4r]

As said you will get many answers to this. Salifert, Hanna and Red Sea are the best. You can spend the money and get anynor a mixed match of those kits. API is ok and gets you fairly accurate results for cal, alk and no3 plus its good to get thing going cheap while the tank cycles and matures. Buy the time thoses kits run out it will be time for better kits anyways as you add fish and corals. Its really up to you.

 

[mitch91175]

As said you will get many answers to this. Salifert, Hanna and Red Sea are the best. You can spend the money and get anynor a mixed match of those kits. API is ok and gets you fairly accurate results for cal, alk and no3 plus its good to get thing going cheap while the tank cycles and matures. Buy the time thoses kits run out it will be time for better kits anyways as you add fish and corals. Its really up to you.

Depends on how you like to test really. If you like digital results, the Hanna line of test are the best bang for your buck. I would start out with this kit if it was me doing it again: Hanna Reef Professional Kit

After that I would get everything else from Salifert that you want to test. They also have kits as well:

Salifert Master Reef Testing Kit
Salifert Reef Package Test Kit

You could always buy only the Salifert test that you need to start out with and add later. I wouldn't bother messing with any API kits. You can go to your LFS and they will test your water with those (always great to have your own, but why spend money on that particular kit).

Really comes down to your budget and what you want to accomplish long-term. I like to buy once if I can.

 

[Tony Thompson]

Lots of good test kits out there. My personal choices are Salifert (Cal Mag), Hanna Checker (Alk and Phos). Nyos (Nitrate). But the single most important bit of test kit for me is a reference sample. I use Accurasea (two little fishies) Rerfernz (ATI) and Multi Reference (Fauna Marin). You only need one of these reference solutions. . Personally I would not go without a known value to reference all my measuring equipment against. I also have the Hanna certified standard kits for checking my Hanna`s.