Water testing

[WompRat]

Hello everyone! I have had a 30gal FOWLR tank for many years now, but I want to start adding some coral. That means I need to up my water testing game. I have a high end pH test kit and a hydrometer for salinity already, but I know I'm going to need to test for nitrates, ammonia, alkalinity, calcium, etc. I'm on a bit of a budget (meaning in can't drop like $300+ on one of the fancy testers). Anyone have any recommendations/preferences for testing kits?

 

[1112-425XL]

I use the Hanna testers for Calcium, Alkalinity and Nitrate. Each one is in the $70 range. Salifert has a magnesium kit for about $18.

 

[Gtinnel]

For budget tests salifert are generally pretty good.

 

[WompRat]

I use the Hanna testers for Calcium, Alkalinity and Nitrate. Each one is in the $70 range. Salifert has a magnesium kit for about $18.

Thanks! I'll look into them!

 

[cwerner]

Red Sea or Salifert are the test kits I've had the most luck with. Hanna checkers are great for the things you'll be testing most often (nitrate,phosphate, alkalinity). For calcium testing the red sea pro kit is head and shoulders above the competition, I like it even more than the hanna checker.