Test kits

[White Hair]

What do i need to test for and when to start and how often.Is there one kit or more than one, seems like i’ve seen more than one kit. And thoughts on what brand of kits, thanks

 

[jurgenph]

various people have different opinions on this topic.

head over to the BRSTV youtube channel, a while back the tested and compared all popular tests kits for all major parameters. you decide which one fits your needs.

FWIW. this is what i use...

Alkalinity, Calcium, Phosphorus : Hanna
Nitrates: Salifert
Salinity: cheap refractometer, Hanna conductivity probe, Milwaukee refractometer (mostly use the hanna now for quick tests)

everything else: occasional Triton ICP test.

J.

 

[White Hair]

various people have different opinions on this topic.

head over to the BRSTV youtube channel, a while back the tested and compared all popular tests kits for all major parameters. you decide which one fits your needs.

FWIW. this is what i use...

Alkalinity, Calcium, Phosphorus : Hanna
Nitrates: Salifert
Salinity: cheap refractometer, Hanna conductivity probe, Milwaukee refractometer (mostly use the hanna now for quick tests)

everything else: occasional Triton ICP test.

J.

ok,do all those tests come in a kit or do you have to get more than one,thanks

 

[White Hair]

ok,do all those tests come in a kit or do you have to get more than one,thanks

thought you had to test nitrate and nitrite

 

[jurgenph]

the only time i test for nitrite and ammonia is when i cycle a tank or rocks.
and i use dip test strips for that.

J.

 

[flagg37]

If you haven’t cycled your tank yet then you’ll need to be able to test for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. Once it’s cycled you may never need the ammonia and nitrite again but you’ll still use the nitrate. You’ll eventually need to measure phosphate, alkalinity, and calcium for sure and several others are less important like magnesium.

 

[BeejReef]

test kits, salt, algae scraper, fish net.... all that stuff you don't think about to get started... combined, it cost near as much as my used tank/sump setup

 

[fcmatt]

This is what I would recommend for a stater kit that grows into a usable collection for more advanced folks.

First buy the Red Sea marine care multi test kit.
Second buy, when you require it, Red Sea Foundation Pro multi test kit.

Now you get 2 alk test kits in there... so you can live off this for quite a while.
Next, when you are ready, you would buy....

Hanna Phosphorus ULR. HI736

and when you run out of alk from the above 2 kits go ahead and get...

Hanna Alkalinity HI755.

Of course you need a refractometer with 2 calibration fluids.
1. Pinpoint salinity monitor 53.0 mS
2. refractometer cailbration solution by aqua craft products

With all of the above you will be doing great and you don't break the bank too badly.

After you gain a lot of experience you will find yourself testing alk and salinity sorta often.. and the rest only when needed. Like nitrates, phosphate, Ca, and Mg. You kind of know just by looking at your tank.