Testing kits

[Bobothegreat]

what all parameters do I need to test for. I just want to make sure I have them all covered. I am ordering a kit that checks for nitrates, nitrites, ammonia, PH, Alkalinity. I figure that’s good enough to start the cycling process.
Then I am ordering calcium and magnesium

This is for a 40 b reef tank.

 

[IslandLifeReef]

First, I would recommend using either Hanna, Red Sea, or Salifert test kits as these seem to be the most reliable. I would also skip the PH and ammonia test kits, because once you are cycled, you shouldn't ever have any ammonia in the water and chasing PH is a losing battle. As far as cycling goes, if your nitrites spike and then go to 0, you know you ammonia did the same thing, only earlier.

I would a phosphate test kit to that list since you stated that it is a reef tank.

 

[lapin]

what all parameters do I need to test for. I just want to make sure I have them all covered. I am ordering a kit that checks for nitrates, nitrites, ammonia, PH, Alkalinity. I figure that’s good enough to start the cycling process.
Then I am ordering calcium and magnesium

Alk Calcium, Magnesium, Nitrate, Phosphate and you test your salt mix and tank for proper salinity. These are what I test for in my mixed reef. You can test for other things but I feel that regular water changes should add these if I am using a good salt mix. Ammonia and nitrite I only test when starting a new tank.

 

[mjlash22]

For a new tank, focus on your nitrogen cycle testing (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate) first. After your cycle is done, and depending on what kind of tank you plan on having, you can add in Calcium, Magnesium, Alkalinity.

I prefer Hanna and Red Sea test kits.

 

[Bobothegreat]

I am ordering red sea

 

[BluTang85]

I’ve been a Red Sea user since I started, but just recently bought a few Hanna testers and wow so much easier to use.

 

[Bobothegreat]

Hanna is all electronic isn’t it?

 

[Bobothegreat]

I’ve been a Red Sea user since I started, but just recently bought a few Hanna testers and wow so much easier to use.

Hanna is all electronic isn’t it

 

[BluTang85]

Hanna is all electronic isn’t it

After u mix the solution yes it calculates it for u.

 

[PatW]

Once you have adequately cycled a tank, you can pretty much forget testing for ammonia.

The two major nutrients are nitrate and phosphate.

Having these nutrients too high will cause algal blooms unless you have a clean up crew with voracious grazers.

If you want to grow SPS corals, you need to to keep phosphates and nitrates fairly low. But you need to keep these nutrients at a level high enough to fuel coral growth.

For hard corals, especially SPS corals, you will need to test for ALK and Ca. Saltwater holds a bunch of Ca. So I can get by testing weekly. Seawater contains far less ALK. It can be rapidly depleted. Also corals seem to do better if the ALK levels stay in a narrow range. I test ALK daily. I rarely test Mg. Water changes seem to maintain these levels in my system.

Most people favor Salifert or Red Sea tests along with Hanna. I use mainly Red Sea Pro except for Mg. I use Salifert for Mg. For phosphate, the only test I would recommend is the Hanna ULR test.

API makes tests also. They are quick and dirty. Their results are more approximate. For fish only systems or soft corals, they will probably give good service.

 

[Bobothegreat]

So ran into a hiccup being stationed in japan ordering everything has been my go to so far. But it will not let me order the Red Sea test to be shipped here. The only one that will is the api kit.

 

[Bobothegreat]

Only other option is take my chances and pray the LFS here has something in English but their prices are also outrageous

 

[Bobothegreat]

So I went to my LFS here and no luck on test kits they had some test strips but that is all they use and can’t read a thing on it lol. Red Sea and salifert won’t ship here from amazon. Only thing I could order was an api kit sadly. Any thoughts on where to turn

 

[cmcoker]

Check out the distributors on red seas website, maybe you can find one close enough or willing to ship to you.

 

[Bobothegreat]

Check out the distributors on red seas website, maybe you can find one close enough or willing to ship to you.

That I should did from the start lol thank you so much!!!

 

[Jesterrace]

I am ordering red sea

Good choice, they are all I have used. *EDIT* sorry about the snag you hit. Does Amazon have a Japanese site or one nearby that they can ship to you?

 

[Bobothegreat]

Good choice, they are all I have used. *EDIT* sorry about the snag you hit. Does Amazon have a Japanese site or one nearby that they can ship to you?

They do have a japan version prices are sky high though

 

[408Dartfish]

The API test kit is good enough to get you through the nitrogen cycle. Dustin

 

[Rich Cooper]

+1 for nitrogen cycle only needing ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. If you plan on a tank with coral then Alk, Calc, PH, Magnesium, and phosphate is a good start.

 

[Bobothegreat]

+1 for nitrogen cycle only needing ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. If you plan on a tank with coral then Alk, Calc, PH, Magnesium, and phosphate is a good start.

Well luckily I found a store that sells Red Sea so now it is just getting over there and finding prices.