which test kit?

[Lynnmw1208]

Nevermind I found a similar thread. API is what I'll go with

[jeff@zina.com]

Drops are more accurate than strips, but they are all pretty inaccurate compared to electronic measurements. Fortunately, you don't need to be really, really accurate and you mostly are looking for changes. A fresh kit beats an old one, but other than that they're all about the same.

Personally, I have several. Mostly because one or the other was on sale when I needed refills. That and many of the tests you may need aren't in a basic kit. I have the basic API everyone seems to buy first, rarely used except for nitrates and occasionally pH, and an Instant Ocean Reef Kit. It adds calcium and phosphate tests, but that's it. I also have a Salifert KH/Alk test, probably use that more than the others, and an API copper test that's probably dried up by now. I got that when I bought some used tanks a while back. Crap, I could have bought a mated pair of Occelaris instead of all those vials!

The real key to all test kits is to use them. Once you're cycled and stable, you can use them less often, but if you don't use them they're all useless. And double check them with your LFS occasionally.

Jeff

[Lynnmw1208]

Originally Posted by jeff@zina.com

Drops are more accurate than strips, but they are all pretty inaccurate compared to electronic measurements. Fortunately, you don't need to be really, really accurate and you mostly are looking for changes. A fresh kit beats an old one, but other than that they're all about the same.

Personally, I have several. Mostly because one or the other was on sale when I needed refills. That and many of the tests you may need aren't in a basic kit. I have the basic API everyone seems to buy first, rarely used except for nitrates and occasionally pH, and an Instant Ocean Reef Kit. It adds calcium and phosphate tests, but that's it. I also have a Salifert KH/Alk test, probably use that more than the others, and an API copper test that's probably dried up by now. I got that when I bought some used tanks a while back. Crap, I could have bought a mated pair of Occelaris instead of all those vials!

The real key to all test kits is to use them. Once you're cycled and stable, you can use them less often, but if you don't use them they're all useless. And double check them with your LFS occasionally.

Jeff

+1 very useful information! thank you!

[theatrus]

The only test kits I use with any regularity (as in, once a month): LaMotte Alkalinity and Salifert Ca. Every so often I double check with an API Nitrate test.