What Test Kits?

[jrf1175]

Hey all,

Just wondering what the basic test kits I will need to get started? I figured it would be easier to ask then try to track this down through 100 different threads. Thanks and happy new year!

Jayme

[BoomerD]

Salifert...Salifert...Salifert...

You'll need the following for a new tank:
pH
Ammonia
Nitrites
Nitrates
Calcium
Alkalinty
GOOD refractometer for salinity

[jrf1175]

Thanks Boomer!

[lcstorc]

I would add phosphates to the list as well.

[billyr98]

i would say Salifert Rocks!! Just skip their Stronium one, its really hard

[Ken]

I've been trying to track down Salifert test kit for couple days now. The are either sold out, back order, or the price went through the roof 'cause the uro.$ went up. Any body got a good place to purchase these without having each one shipped from another place. (shipping cost to high), I need Mag., Phos., and Nitrate.
Thanks,
Ken

[bluespotjawfish]

My LFS sells them for about the same price as online. Call first though and make sure yours carries that brand.

[Ken]

Ok, Thanks I'll try that.

[ussubs]

If you have any question about the quallity of your top off (make-up) water and are not using distilled or Ro/Di then you should add silicate as well, to your list of test kits.

[Warnberg]

Here is my personal opinion on test kits, and yes I know some of you are not going to like this:
Salifert kits (none better)

pH (I suggest a meter as well and calibrate it often)
Ammonia (unnecessary)
Nitrite (won't use much after initial cycle)
Nitrate
Calcium
Alk
Mag
iodine (don't waist your money)
silicate (forget about it)
Phosphate (nope)
Strontium (nada)

Here is why I say skip Ammonia, Iodine, Silicate, Strontium, etc...
If you need to test these take a water sample to you LFS and have them test it, ammonia will usually come and go so fast you won't catch it anyway. These rarely if ever change with quality, routine water changes.

Now if you really want to know about Phosphates in your water, get one of these:
http://item.express.ebay.com/__Pet-S...mdZExpressItem

They are the ONLY way to really get an accurate reading of your phosphate levels in your tank. 90% of the time a simple test kit for phosphates will show no color change and remember they are only testing one type of phosphate in your tank.

My suggestion, invest in a good refractometer, a TDS meter, use RO/DI water and change filters when TDS is 3 to 5 ppm or greater, do routine water changes, topoff water should be RO/DI as well.

This is my experiance: I bought all the test kits, I have used the ammonia maybe 3 times, Nitrite maybe 10 times, Nitrate 1 a month. Calcium and Alk I've gone thru 4 of them, I test these two more than anything. Mag, maybe once or twice a month. For pH I have a test kit and a meter, if I think the meter is not right I test it with the kit to see and I usually calibrate my meter twice a year. At 15.00 to 30.00 a kit if you are going to use it a few times why spend the money?

JME

[lcstorc]

I'll stick with my normal phosphate test kit. Thanks.
I do believe they are very important to test for particularly if you are having a problem. Often they are the source or part of the source.
I would also say tests anyting you plan to dose in the tank. I am a firm believer in not adding anything I can't test for but I add very little to my tank other than frequent water changes with TM Pro Reef.

[boozeman]

those of you that love your salifert test kits... you may want to give Elos kits a try

[sasquatch]

Linkman?? who got da LINK!!!! Steve

[DaveK]

If you are serious about water testing and looking for top quality test kits, get serious ones like the ones made by LaMotte.

See them here - http://www.lamotte.com/pages/aqua/testkits.html

Test kits made by people in the water test kit business will outperform all the "tinker toy" test kits made by the aquarium supply vendors. Naturally, there is a "catch". LaMotte test kits usually cost two to five times what you'll pay for the hobby grade test kits, but give much more accurate results.

I tend to just get the KH/Alkalinity, Calcium, Nitrate, and Phosphate test kits from LaMotte, and use the hobby grade kits for items you don't need to test for once the tank is established.

There are several other vendors out there that make serious test kits, and none of them are typical, well known, aquarium supply manufactures.

Ammonia, Nitrite, Magnesium, and most of the other "trace element" test kits are usually not needed once you have cycled the tank. You will only need them if you have a specific problem later.

[lcstorc]

Good to have handy though if/when you do need them.
Also many people here swear by the Salifert test kits. They are apparently the best hobby grade kits out there. A bit expensive but less than the lamotte.