Test kits

[JaneB]

Hi everyone,
Which test kits would you recommend to buy? We only have a PH kit brought today which is by Salifret.
We have been having our water tested at the shop each time before buying any new fish.
Any recommendations would be great thanks!

 

[Dapperjman]

I have used Red Sea kits for ammonia, nitrate, pH, alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium and they work pretty well in my opinion.

I have also used Hanna testers and I like those for phosphate and alkalinity since it gives you an actual number.

 

[Reefpuck]

You'll get a few different suggestions...but I've always liked RedSea test kits. I use them for everything.

 

[prios01]

I've used Hanna, Red Sea Gieseman ETC.. I mostly user SalIfert. I have a PH Hanna and A low Range Hanna. I've had Hanna get out of calibration so I use SAlIfert to compare. Salifert is way easier then Red Sea overrated. I check all parameters once a week Takes all of 15 minutes and Mag Alk and Calk every day:
Weekly:

Daily:

graphs:

 

[Snoopy 67]

Salifert for everything except phosphate, I use a Milwaukee Photometer there because the colors with the kit are too difficult for me to distinguish.

 

[PatW]

It depends if you are doing fish only or the far more challenging SPS dominant tank.

First off, you need an accurate way to measure salinityand that pretty much means a refractometer.

Then you need a way to measure your initial cycle. Measuring your cycle means tracking ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. Red Sea and Salifert are both good. For fish only, you can get by on API.

Later you will want to track aquarium nutrients: nitrates and phosphates. You will already. The only test that really measures phosphates at a low enough level, that I know of is the Hanna ULR.

If you get into Stoney corals, you will need to track ALK, Ca, and Mg. I use Red Sea Pro for Ca. I use Hanna for ALK and I use Salifert for Mg.

You can also test for pH. If you have a controller, you can run a pH probe that you can track 24/7. I have one, but pH stays within range for me.

Then there are trace elements. A few of them like iron, silicates and iodine have test kits but many do not. Trace elements can be measured using a multichannel plasma analyzer and these used to be found only at major research institutions. There are companies out there that will test a sample for about $40. But most reefers rely on water changes to maintain trace elements.

 

[JaneB]

It depends if you are doing fish only or the far more challenging SPS dominant tank.

First off, you need an accurate way to measure salinityand that pretty much means a refractometer.

Then you need a way to measure your initial cycle. Measuring your cycle means tracking ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. Red Sea and Salifert are both good. For fish only, you can get by on API.

Later you will want to track aquarium nutrients: nitrates and phosphates. You will already. The only test that really measures phosphates at a low enough level, that I know of is the Hanna ULR.

If you get into Stoney corals, you will need to track ALK, Ca, and Mg. I use Red Sea Pro for Ca. I use Hanna for ALK and I use Salifert for Mg.

You can also test for pH. If you have a controller, you can run a pH probe that you can track 24/7. I have one, but pH stays within range for me.

Then there are trace elements. A few of them like iron, silicates and iodine have test kits but many do not. Trace elements can be measured using a multichannel plasma analyzer and these used to be found only at major research institutions. There are companies out there that will test a sample for about $40. But most reefers rely on water changes to maintain trace elements.

I’ve been looking at a whole set made by API, a few stores near me sell the whole range which are needed for a full test of everything, comes in about £80 but I think that’s not to bad..