Which test kits for beginning?

[mikee002]

Which test kit would you recommend for starting out my tank? I'm in the planning stages and starting to gather all my equipment and this is obviously something on my list.

Thanks.

 

[twilliard]

API is a good one for starting up a tank from there red sea pro kits

 

[redfishbluefish]

The minimum kits would be nitrate and phosphate.

If you wish to watch the cycle happen, include ammonia and nitrite....but really not necessary.

If you want a reef tank (hard corals) or clams, calcium, alkalinity and magnesium are also necessary.

Any other test kit, if you are dosing something, get a kit to test for it. Never dose something unless you have a means to test for it.

The ones above are the minimum test kits recommended.

 

[Pola0502ds]

+1 for API, thats what I used when i first started and still use some of them actually because they are easier to read than some of the higher end kits. But I use Hanna for Alk, Nyos for phosphate, nitrate, and mag, and API for everything else. I do have a Nyos calcium kit but it's difficult in my opinion.

 

[rvlcf]

I would buy A Hanna checker for alk and phosphorus and Salifert for nitrate,calcium, and magnesium.
You could start with a marine Api kit, although most people think they aren't very accurate.
If you have a local fish store that will test for you, i would forego the api kit and let them test your water through the cycle.
I'm assuming you are starting a reef tank and not considering cost with these recommendations.

 

[dragon99]

I'd skip the API and go with Red Sea or Salifert from the start.

I bought the API kit to start, and I've now replaced it with Salifert ALK/Ca and RedSea NO3/PO4. I haven't used the API in months. The skinny vials that come with API are terrible because you can't swirl them easily, and if you tip them over to mix the cap leaks!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Which test kit would you recommend for starting out my tank? I'm in the planning stages and starting to gather all my equipment and this is obviously something on my list.

Thanks.

A good alkalinity kit is the most critical. Calcium is a desirable second bet. Almost anything else is not critical.

 

[Pola0502ds]

A good alkalinity kit is the most critical. Calcium is a desirable second bet. Almost anything else is not critical.

What kits do you use, Randy?

 

[LetItReef]

Salifert- Alk, Ca and Mg
Seachem- Phosphate
PH, Nitrates and Ammomia- API

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

What kits do you use, Randy?

I actually rarely tested anything except temp and salinity because I knew that after 20 years, my tank was fine using the methods I employed. When I tested alk it was a DIY.

 

[Bustyraker]

API is great for cycling, after that I would buy Hanna testers for Alk and P04 and Salifert for everything else. I used Red Sea for years and always had issues with accuracy.

 

[Pola0502ds]

I actually rarely tested anything except temp and salinity because I knew that after 20 years, my tank was fine using the methods I employed. When I tested alk it was a DIY.

Must be nice!! after all those year of experience that's what you get!

 

[bif24701]

Red Sea Pro