Test Kit's

Neo Jeo · Dec 12, 2017

So,

I'm on my second week of research on starting up my 90 gallon tank. I have probably spent 50 hours reading fish stuff the past 2 weeks.. My eyes hurt lol!

Based on what I read, I wanted to get those Hanna testers but a lot of them are for sale used but a lot of people get different tests even if they test right after the other. I don't want that....

I believe the main brand that I want is Salifert test kits.

Now, I know they have many. Starting up a tank, what ones do I need now if someone can help me make a purchase

"the must haves"

-If you have other thoughts, please share!

Thank You

LadyMac · Dec 12, 2017

I’ve had two types. API and Red Sea. I have the freshwater master kit(which is the same as the second tests but the cards are different) as well as the Kh test through API. My magnesium kit is Red Sea. I like the Red Sea one as comparison simply because it seems easier to use and of better quality. No matter what I do when testing my nitrates with the api kit the lid leaks and I’ve tried all the different tube toppers provided. So I have started to use the vial from the Red Sea kit as it’s a screw on top. I think I will be replacing the api with the Red Sea simply because I like the quality better.

LadyMac · Dec 12, 2017

Double post cause I didn’t even answer the question lol. I believe the necessary tests are ammonia, nitrate, nitrate, ph, phosphate, magnesium, alkalinity and calcium.

Neo Jeo · Dec 12, 2017

Ha, thanks man

lion king · Dec 12, 2017

Salifert is a good test kit; I find them quicker and easier to use than the rest. I've used all of them, what you need to understand is that these are hobby grade kits, and they come with a degree of variance. You can effectively use them as a guide and by consistent testing procedures get good usable reading from all of them.

If it's for a reef I would also recommend a phosphate kit, the accuracy of these test kits are highly challenged. The hanna ulr test kit is the only one I would recommend for phosphate. The hanna alk and ca test are also great.