Test Kits

[AJinNY]

I usually bring a water sample to the lfs but I think its a good idea for me to test my water anytime I want.

Question.....what test kits do I need? I have fish and live rock and some corals in my 46 bowfront.

I know I have to test ammonia, nitrites and nitrates....are these 3 separate test kits?

Also I figure I have to test for calcium.

I have a hydrometer so Im reasonably sure as to the range of the salinity of the water.

Anything else Im leaving out?

Any kits in particular you recomment? ANy links so I can order them?

Thanks all.

Happy fishing.

AJ

[dwall174]

It really depends on what type of corals your keeping! Besides what you have mentioned above & of course Temp & PH, here are some others to consider!

Phosphate, Alkalinity, Magnesium, Iodine, also good to have on hand is Copper, Boron, & Strontium. Also you should be using RO/DI water! So a TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) Meter to test the water from the RO/DI unit!

Here’s some more General Information

Here’s a list of links for any Chemistry Questions you will ever have!

As for recommending a brand I use & prefer “Salifert” although they are more $$$ than other brands I think they are worth it! Premium Aquatics Is a sponsor here & they carry the Salifert Line!

[dwall174]

Here's the Salifert Web Site that has more information on the kits I mentioned!

[AJinNY]

wow thats a lot of kits.....

I can understand the ammon, nitrates and nitrates and salinty and calcium and temp and ph and phosphates....but do I need all the rest?

thanks for your help.

[Woodstock]

The ones you just mentioned and an Alkalinity and Magnesium test kits... and a TDS meter for testing the RO/DI output.

If you add supplements....be sure you are able to test the water before adding (ie: iodine, strontium, etc). Don't just add supplements to your tank just because the bottle says it's good too.

[AJinNY]

ok Im guilty of adding my daily and weekly supplements without testing.

Im in NY and I know we have a lot of "nutrients" in our tap water here. Tap water is what I use. Im assuming this isnt the smartest move? WOuld investing 100 bucks in one of those RO contraptions really make a difference to my tank?

Thanks.

AJ

[dwall174]

Originally posted by AJinNY
Would investing 100 bucks in one of those RO contraptions really make a difference to my tank?

I'm sold on them & would not even start up a tank without one!
I would avoid getting any RO unit with the Dow FilmTec 100GPD Membrane (TW30-1812-100) This is the same membrane that a lot of E-Bay RO Vendors are using & it only has a 90% rejection rate, verses a true RO membrane which will have a 98% to 99% rejection rate. In fact Dow’s own Web Site calls it a “High flow 100 gallon per day drinking water element”. Not a RO element! On the other hand the 75GPD & under membranes are called a Home drinking water “RO elements”.

In my opinion I would go with either one of these vendors!
Aqua FX
ARS
Buckeye Field Supply

[BoomerD]

You're not gonna get a real good RO/DI unit for $100. The parts for the good ones cost more than that. More like $200. for a good one. Many of the cheaper ones on E-Bay do indeed have the lower rejection rate 100 gpd membrane, which shortens the life of your DI resins. Then, to top it off, they have small DI units, so your resins need changing at a faster rate anyway. gets pretty costly trying to keep up your water quality. ARS makes and sells a great unit, SpectraPure is one of the highest rated RO companies in the US, and Buckeye sells a quality product, and also sells replacement cartridges & membranes at a VERY good price.