what tester to buy first

[Trevor203]

what test kits should i buy first i have order the Hanna phosphate and alk. what other ones do i need ammonia nitrate nitrite i am just starting to cure my rock now

 

[Ttnguyen]

I have been used Red Sea test kits for years. They work great for me.

 

[Brew12]

what test kits should i buy first i have order the Hanna phosphate and alk. what other ones do i need ammonia nitrate nitrite i am just starting to cure my rock now

You don't need nitrite but you can get a cheap test kit if you want for your entertainment.

You will also want a calcium and magnesium test set. If you aren't going to monitor pH with a controller or other device you will want a pH test kit also.

 

[Trevor203]

Eventually in the next couple months I'm going to have an Apex controller so I guess I don't need the pH I guess I just need ammonia and nitrate do I need phosphate I'm just asking what I need to monitor while I'm cycling The Rock eventually I'm going to buy a test kit for everything I just wanted to know which ones I should buy first I was assuming ammonia nitrate but after that is when I get a little fuzzy and not really sure what else I really need the monitor not stuff that I can monitor what stuff that I really should be monitoring to control the cycling of The Rock. i am in the meddle of a build right now and i am just trying to get the stuff i need to get it going and then buy the rest as i need it.

 

[Brew12]

Eventually in the next couple months I'm going to have an Apex controller so I guess I don't need the pH I guess I just need ammonia and nitrate do I need phosphate I'm just asking what I need to monitor while I'm cycling The Rock eventually I'm going to buy a test kit for everything I just wanted to know which ones I should buy first I was assuming ammonia nitrate but after that is when I get a little fuzzy and not really sure what else I really need the monitor not stuff that I can monitor what stuff that I really should be monitoring to control the cycling of The Rock. i am in the meddle of a build right now and i am just trying to get the stuff i need to get it going and then buy the rest as i need it.

To cure the rock you need ammonia and phosphate. When you start cycling your tank you will want ammonia and nitrate (and maybe nitrite). Once your tank is established you will want Alk, Calc, pH, Mag, PO4 and NO3.

 

[Trevor203]

Thank you that was exactly what i was looking for

 

[Richards_reef]

The basics you should have on hand are ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate, alkalinity, magnesium, and calcium. The ammonia and nitrite may not be used after the tank is cycled but it's still good to keep on hand.

 

[donnievaz]

The basics you should have on hand are ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate, alkalinity, magnesium, and calcium. The ammonia and nitrite may not be used after the tank is cycled but it's still good to keep on hand.

Ammonia is especially good to have in the event of an emergency or for quarantine use.

 

[JakeLikesReefs]

For most of my testing I just use API Reef testing kits. There are some tests you may want more specialized readings with, such as magnesium, phosphate etc.

Thanks,
Jake

 

[Richards_reef]

Oh and a refractometer