Water Testing Recommendations

[GiannisK]

Hello, new saltwater tank owner here. Is it true the API reef test kit is garbage? I've seen it suggested a few times now. In that case, what kits do ya'll recommend? I've seen some recommendations but they've been very very pricey, are there some good budget options? Thank you!

 

[bushdoc]

Salifert, Aquaforest are my favorites for Ca, dKH and Mg.
Hanna for phosphates and Nitrates , but you can also use Red Sea for that.

 

[Tuan’s Reef]

Salifert for Alk, Calcium, and magnesium

Hanna for Nitrate HR and Phosphate ULR

This will serve you well for the major 5

 

[Idech]

I use API for ammonia, and PH mostly. Sometimes nitrates but it’s very imprecise. I’ve been using it for so long and it’s always been good to me.

I use Hanna ULR for phosphate, Hanna HR for nitrates and Red Sea for magnesium, calcium and alkalinity.

 

[Tuan’s Reef]

If you have a 3D printer .... make one of these for Salifert.

 

[GiannisK]

Thank you for your responses. I see that the Hanna and red sea tests are very expensive-- are the salifert nitrate and phosphate tests not good enough? Please keep in mind that this is a fish-only 20 gallon tank with only beginner, hardy fish.

 

[Propane]

Salifert are good tests. If you are doing a FOWLR tank you probably don’t need to test for most parameters. Cycle the tank and doing water changes is likely enough.

 

[gbroadbridge]

Thank you for your responses. I see that the Hanna and red sea tests are very expensive-- are the salifert nitrate and phosphate tests not good enough? Please keep in mind that this is a fish-only 20 gallon tank with only beginner, hardy fish.

You'll be fine with the Salifert Nitrate and Phosphate for a Fish only tank.
Not for the fish, but to keep algae under control.

They're all you really need apart from a reliable method of measuring Salinity, but again that isn't super critical terms of accuracy just needs to be consistent.

 

[rpgraff]

If you have a 3D printer .... make one of these for Salifert.

Where did you find the 3D file for that?

 

[Tuan’s Reef]

Thingiverse

Salifert Titrator (Alkalinity/Calcium/Magnesium Reef Aquarium Test Kits) by blakskyy

Inspired by Red Sea Reef Test Kits that include a titrator. Now you can use your Salifert test kits in a single-hand operation too! It works for all three Salifert Alkalinity Calcium Magnesium tests. How To Use: Follow the directions for your test kit, which typically start with drawing water...

www.thingiverse.com

 

[fishyjoes]

The problem with api tests is they aren't very precise or don't have a low enough range.

For example, the api alkalinity test only lets you measure in whole dKh increments (one dKh per drop: 7, 8, 9). With the salifert alkalinity test kit you get several points in between each whole number (8.0, 8.3, 8.6, 8.9).

I use salifert tests for alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, and nitrate. I use hanna for phosphate and copper.

Another good tool for titration tests is the "smart stir" - it's just a miniature magnetic stirrer so you don't have to shake the test tube