Testing Kits

beadebaserrrr · 02/13/2008, 10:15 PM

What testing kits has everyone had good experiences with?

Aquarist007 · 02/13/2008, 10:24 PM

I use salifert for calcium, alkalinity, magnesium and phosphates--have not had any problems with them.

BLKTANG · 02/13/2008, 10:29 PM

I agree all except for the PO4 (phospate).I use a Hanna meter for PO4.

beadebaserrrr · 02/13/2008, 10:32 PM

I have to get some new stuff, so I was just rethinking my goodies. Haha

TheFishGuy,LLC · 02/13/2008, 10:57 PM

I've never understood the importance of a phosphate test. If you have good lighting and no algae, you most likely don't have a phosphate problem and then why test for it? If you have good lighting and you have phosphate then you're gonna have algae which will consume the phosphate leaving you little to no reading showing up on your testing equipment/kit. If you have poor lighting, then well phosphate isn't the problem is it? It's not like your SPS corals' growth is being retarded by the phosphate if you have Two tubes of NO fluorescent light on your system. The only use I've found for a phosphate test kit is for testing things outside of a system like carbon leaching phosphate or phosphate in source water, etc... Maybe I'm wrong, these are all just personal rantings afterall.

02/13/2008, 10:15 PM	#1
beadebaserrrr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 38	Testing Kits What testing kits has everyone had good experiences with?

02/13/2008, 10:24 PM	#2
Aquarist007 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamilton, Canada Posts: 28,240 Blog Entries: 1	I use salifert for calcium, alkalinity, magnesium and phosphates--have not had any problems with them. __________________ I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock

02/13/2008, 10:29 PM	#3
BLKTANG Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Never,Never Land Posts: 7,061	I agree all except for the PO4 (phospate).I use a Hanna meter for PO4. __________________ We the few have done so much,for so long,for so little.That we are now qualified to do anything with nothing. ____________________________________________________________________________ Current Tank Info: RR 90 Maganvore sump,250w Hamilton fixture,VorTec's ASM skimmer.

02/13/2008, 10:32 PM	#4
beadebaserrrr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 38	I have to get some new stuff, so I was just rethinking my goodies. Haha

02/13/2008, 10:57 PM	#5
TheFishGuy,LLC Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Jonesboro, AR Posts: 109	I've never understood the importance of a phosphate test. If you have good lighting and no algae, you most likely don't have a phosphate problem and then why test for it? If you have good lighting and you have phosphate then you're gonna have algae which will consume the phosphate leaving you little to no reading showing up on your testing equipment/kit. If you have poor lighting, then well phosphate isn't the problem is it? It's not like your SPS corals' growth is being retarded by the phosphate if you have Two tubes of NO fluorescent light on your system. The only use I've found for a phosphate test kit is for testing things outside of a system like carbon leaching phosphate or phosphate in source water, etc... Maybe I'm wrong, these are all just personal rantings afterall.