Which test kits to use?

jbeanz24 · Mar 12, 2014

Hey everyone getting my first reef up and running? I wanted to know which test kits I should purchase to begin with and what brands are better then others. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

cmaxwell39 · Mar 12, 2014

To monitor your cycle you are going to need test kits for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. I would also invest in a pH monitor of some type (if you have a controller, you can get a probe for that. If not they make some decent handheld devices.) and also a refractometer to measure your salinity.

As your reef grows you will probably need test kits for calcium, alkalinity, magnesium and phosphate also, but those are not necessary right away.

As far as brand, I really like Salifert for most things, but the API kits would be good enough to get you started and to monitor your cycle with. I still use API for ammonia and nitrite when cycling a new tank, but like the Salifert nitrate kit much better than the API.

ETORRES477 · Mar 12, 2014

I just asked the same question a couple of weeks ago, I got a lot of recommendations for the Red Sea Marine Care test kit for the test of basic parameters such as NO2/NO3, Ammonia, and PH. This is good for when you begin Red Sea Marine Care Test Kit. And then the Red Sea Reef Foundation Pro Ca/Alk/Mg Multi Test Kit for your reef keeping essentials Red Sea Reef Foundation Pro Ca/Alk/Mg Multi Test Kit

ifarmer · Mar 12, 2014

i use Hanna for Phos and alk and calcium.
API for nitrte
never test MAg
never test PH
I do not test for nitrite, ammonia, and hp after the tank cycled

even though I use Hanna for calcium too but Calcium is too much of a pita for the Hanna.