?? Test Kits ??

Slingshot · 01/14/2007, 05:42 PM

Need some advice on what test kit to get. I will be setting up a tank with L/R, L/S, fish, and corals in the future. I am purifying water as I write this note using a Kent R/O-D/I HI-S unit (taking way tooo long). I have been looking at the Red Sea product line but I'm not sure as to which tests I will need right away..

possibilities include:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...&N=2004+113074
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...&N=2004+113074
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...&N=2004+113074

Thanks,
Dave

Slingshot · 01/14/2007, 07:31 PM

TTT

Anybody???

InvoluntarySod · 01/14/2007, 07:42 PM

I don't have a whole lot of experience myself, but I can tell you that the most important tests while cycling will be nitrate, nitrite, and ammonia. I cant testify to the quality of the the specific tests kits you linked too but I can say the first set looks to be the most inclusive. Also don't forget a hydrometer or refractometer. Hope this helps some.

FishinAround · 01/14/2007, 07:53 PM

I don't have a whole lot of experience either but I've heard mixed stories on the dip test strips. If I was you I would stick with one of the other two you're looking at. But I'm sure others have had different experiences.

Holmie_D_Klown · 01/14/2007, 08:23 PM

I think Salifert is pretty much the standard around here. I would recommend starting off with: ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, Alkalinity, Calcium, and pH (and maybe phosphate).

strendo · 01/14/2007, 08:24 PM

marine depot sells a great test kit set I just bought. Its like $50 and tests everything from calc to phos. It even comes in a nice suitcase

Myka · 01/14/2007, 09:13 PM

Go for Salifert...I wouldn't buy anything else.

henryjd · 01/14/2007, 10:45 PM

I have used RedSea, Seachem and Instant Ocean but now have Salifert and would not go back. Any that you have to compare colors are just not accurate enough. The Salifert you titrate and the results are very clear. I do wish the Salifert came with a case. The cardboard boxes for each kit tend to fall apart after 6 months but I am now using plastic ziplock containters and have laminated the instructions. I tried a fishing tackle box but was always looking for the correct bottle or syringe.

old salty · 01/14/2007, 11:23 PM

Look no further!!

http://www.elosusa.com/

Much higher quality than Salifert for about the same price. They are NIST certified for accuracy.

Myka · 01/15/2007, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by old salty
Look no further!!

http://www.elosusa.com/

Much higher quality than Salifert for about the same price. They are NIST certified for accuracy.

From my understanding, I think you mis-read their website. It says that they use NIST samples to validate their tests' results. From what I can see they are not "NIST certified".

kfowler · 01/15/2007, 09:14 AM

IMO, I use Salifert for everything except Amm and Nitrite. I use a cheaper AP titrate kit for those two. The reason is I don't care about accuarcy with Amm and Nitrite. Any kind of positive reading is bad.

old salty · 01/15/2007, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Myka
From my understanding, I think you mis-read their website. It says that they use NIST samples to validate their tests' results. From what I can see they are not "NIST certified".

I'm not saying you are wrong; I could be doing just that. When I received this with my nitrate test kit, it gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling as opposed to something that says, "Accurate" on the box.

mwwhite · 01/15/2007, 11:03 AM

I agree with others - ammonia, trite, trate during cycle.

I highly recommend a Ph probe/monitor rather than drop test. Matching color to chart can be easily misleading.

Ca and Alk very important if you're going to keep corals - especially SPS. Most saltwater, whether mixed or purchased needs to be supplemented.

Mg - primarily if you're having trouble maintaining Ca or Alk.

Some kind of salinity test (other than swing-arm hydrometer). You'll read some lively debate on this subject.

Thermometer (I know - duh!).

Phosphate - occasional.

Some good advice I read here - don't dose what you don't test for.

(simply parroting what I've recently learned from many members of this forum).

hans1976 · 01/15/2007, 11:43 AM

I will echo what SpankinNew said. In addition, get a TDS meter to test your RO/DO water.

Salifert Prices

01/14/2007, 05:42 PM	#1
Slingshot Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Orange County NY Posts: 73	?? Test Kits ?? Need some advice on what test kit to get. I will be setting up a tank with L/R, L/S, fish, and corals in the future. I am purifying water as I write this note using a Kent R/O-D/I HI-S unit (taking way tooo long). I have been looking at the Red Sea product line but I'm not sure as to which tests I will need right away.. possibilities include: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...&N=2004+113074 http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...&N=2004+113074 http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...&N=2004+113074 Thanks, Dave

01/14/2007, 09:13 PM	#7
Myka Reefing since '93 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: SK, Canada Posts: 2,436	Go for Salifert...I wouldn't buy anything else. __________________ ~ Mindy, SPS addict. Current Tank Info: 69 SPS (73 gal net) established July 1/15. (HBD Canada!) ATB 840, ATI 6-bulb dimmable. Fauna Marin balling lite method.

01/14/2007, 11:23 PM	#9
old salty Genius Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: The Island of Misfit Toys Posts: 3,131	Look no further!! http://www.elosusa.com/ Much higher quality than Salifert for about the same price. They are NIST certified for accuracy. __________________ "The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers." Thomas Jefferson Current Tank Info: Out of the marine aquarium hobby

01/15/2007, 09:14 AM	#11
kfowler Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,095	IMO, I use Salifert for everything except Amm and Nitrite. I use a cheaper AP titrate kit for those two. The reason is I don't care about accuarcy with Amm and Nitrite. Any kind of positive reading is bad. __________________ Kevin "You cannot achieve what you are not willing to pursue." Current Tank Info: 20g Mixed Reef

01/15/2007, 11:03 AM	#13
mwwhite Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Land O Lakes, FL Posts: 690	I agree with others - ammonia, trite, trate during cycle. I highly recommend a Ph probe/monitor rather than drop test. Matching color to chart can be easily misleading. Ca and Alk very important if you're going to keep corals - especially SPS. Most saltwater, whether mixed or purchased needs to be supplemented. Mg - primarily if you're having trouble maintaining Ca or Alk. Some kind of salinity test (other than swing-arm hydrometer). You'll read some lively debate on this subject. Thermometer (I know - duh!). Phosphate - occasional. Some good advice I read here - don't dose what you don't test for. (simply parroting what I've recently learned from many members of this forum). __________________ gwen Current Tank Info: 150 Mixed reef (gone now)

01/14/2007, 07:31 PM	#2
Slingshot Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Orange County NY Posts: 73	TTT Anybody???

01/14/2007, 07:42 PM	#3
InvoluntarySod Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 52	I don't have a whole lot of experience myself, but I can tell you that the most important tests while cycling will be nitrate, nitrite, and ammonia. I cant testify to the quality of the the specific tests kits you linked too but I can say the first set looks to be the most inclusive. Also don't forget a hydrometer or refractometer. Hope this helps some.

01/14/2007, 07:53 PM	#4
FishinAround Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 208	I don't have a whole lot of experience either but I've heard mixed stories on the dip test strips. If I was you I would stick with one of the other two you're looking at. But I'm sure others have had different experiences.

01/14/2007, 08:23 PM	#5
Holmie_D_Klown Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Land O' Lakes, FL Posts: 247	I think Salifert is pretty much the standard around here. I would recommend starting off with: ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, Alkalinity, Calcium, and pH (and maybe phosphate).

01/14/2007, 08:24 PM	#6
strendo Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 348	marine depot sells a great test kit set I just bought. Its like $50 and tests everything from calc to phos. It even comes in a nice suitcase

01/14/2007, 10:45 PM	#8
henryjd Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 106	I have used RedSea, Seachem and Instant Ocean but now have Salifert and would not go back. Any that you have to compare colors are just not accurate enough. The Salifert you titrate and the results are very clear. I do wish the Salifert came with a case. The cardboard boxes for each kit tend to fall apart after 6 months but I am now using plastic ziplock containters and have laminated the instructions. I tried a fishing tackle box but was always looking for the correct bottle or syringe.

01/15/2007, 11:43 AM	#14
hans1976 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Middletown, CT Posts: 3,239	I will echo what SpankinNew said. In addition, get a TDS meter to test your RO/DO water. Salifert Prices __________________ Jeff PAST CTARS President Past MASNA Treasurer