Which test kits

nfored · 04/23/2012, 06:59 PM

I lent my API liquid ammonia and nitrate kit to another noob reefer like myself who was using dip strips. I am looking to buy a new kit, are the API test acceptable? or is there a better one I should use? API has treated me well in the past.

cwbhawk · 04/23/2012, 07:02 PM

API is alright, I've had issues with them in the past though! Seachem or salifert seem to be more reliable in my opinion.

OffDaHook · 04/23/2012, 07:03 PM

Salifert all the way. When I started I picked up one a week.

nfored · 04/23/2012, 07:12 PM

Thanks, normally on my fresh tank I never test the water unless something just feels, smell, or looks off. So I am always throwing away expired api test.

Now I know I need to test marine as its not hands off like my fresh tanks.

What Do you thinks is essential? I was going to skip buying ammonia and nitrate since they are really only needed IMHO during a cycle or if you suspect something is wrong.

I was going to get the following

copper, nitrate, phosphate, KH/GH, magnesium, calcium. Right now I only have a fowlr but I am trying to slowly convert to reef.

Andrew · 04/23/2012, 07:15 PM

You need all the test kits. It's not something you want to skip on having around. Ammonia and nitrate levels can change quickly and need to be tested weekly at least. Salifert's may be expensive but they are worth it. I test with red sea kits every now and than and they are basic but do the job.

cwbhawk · 04/23/2012, 07:15 PM

Essentials are probably Ammonia, Nitrate, Calcium, mag, and alk! You shouldn't need copper for a reef tank, and you could probably get away with not having the ammonia but I like to have it just in case!

nfored · 04/23/2012, 07:25 PM

okay what about the cheaper api for ammonia I have that already and have always used that?

So far this is what I have in my "wish list"
Salifert Calcium Test Kit
Salifert Magnesium Test Kit
Salifert Nitrate Test Kit
Salifert Phosphate Test Kit
Salifert pH Test Kit
Salifert KH/Alkalinity Test Kit

I know my what has high silicate do I need this test kit also? what about strontium?

I was thinking of buying in this order since I only have fowlr with skimmer now, and would need to at least buy lighting before going reef.

1st Salifert Nitrate Test Kit
2nd Salifert Phosphate Test Kit
3rd Salifert KH/Alkalinity Test Kit
4th Salifert Calcium Test Kit
5th Salifert Magnesium Test Kit
6th Salifert pH Test Kit
Possible others
7th Salifert Strontium Test Kit

Andrew · 04/23/2012, 07:32 PM

I would move PH to the top of the list. Calcium, magnesium, strontium, ect can wait until you have corals. I would recommend dosing calcium however though when you get started to help promote coraline algae growth.

nfored · 04/23/2012, 07:35 PM

Thanks for all your advice I will also try one our two per pay day.

Andrew · 04/23/2012, 07:45 PM

Feel free to ask any questions on here. It's better to ask and make sure of something than just guess or waste money.

frothyspoon · 04/23/2012, 08:24 PM

+1 for Salifert

And as a btw you don't need to buy all the test kits right away. I would just get magnesium, Ph, Calcium, and alk soon and you can always have your LFS test your water for you. They may do it for free or like a 1 dollar fee which isn't bad if you don't have $100 to go spend on test kits right away

Darth Vedder · 04/23/2012, 08:27 PM

I really like the red sea pro for nitrate and magnesium so far, salifert and hanna checkers for the rest

04/23/2012, 06:59 PM	#1
nfored Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Kansas City Missouri Posts: 157	Which test kits I lent my API liquid ammonia and nitrate kit to another noob reefer like myself who was using dip strips. I am looking to buy a new kit, are the API test acceptable? or is there a better one I should use? API has treated me well in the past.

04/23/2012, 07:02 PM	#2
cwbhawk Junior at Iowa State Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Cedar Falls, Iowa Posts: 148	API is alright, I've had issues with them in the past though! Seachem or salifert seem to be more reliable in my opinion. __________________ I am a nice shark, not a mindless eating machine. If I am to change this image I must first change myself. Fish are friends not food. Current Tank Info: 20 gallon tank that I move back and forth from school with me!

04/23/2012, 07:15 PM	#6
cwbhawk Junior at Iowa State Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Cedar Falls, Iowa Posts: 148	Essentials are probably Ammonia, Nitrate, Calcium, mag, and alk! You shouldn't need copper for a reef tank, and you could probably get away with not having the ammonia but I like to have it just in case! __________________ I am a nice shark, not a mindless eating machine. If I am to change this image I must first change myself. Fish are friends not food. Current Tank Info: 20 gallon tank that I move back and forth from school with me!

04/23/2012, 07:03 PM	#3
OffDaHook Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Kissimmee, FL Posts: 515	Salifert all the way. When I started I picked up one a week.

04/23/2012, 07:12 PM	#4
nfored Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Kansas City Missouri Posts: 157	Thanks, normally on my fresh tank I never test the water unless something just feels, smell, or looks off. So I am always throwing away expired api test. Now I know I need to test marine as its not hands off like my fresh tanks. What Do you thinks is essential? I was going to skip buying ammonia and nitrate since they are really only needed IMHO during a cycle or if you suspect something is wrong. I was going to get the following copper, nitrate, phosphate, KH/GH, magnesium, calcium. Right now I only have a fowlr but I am trying to slowly convert to reef.

04/23/2012, 07:15 PM	#5
Andrew Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 13,640	You need all the test kits. It's not something you want to skip on having around. Ammonia and nitrate levels can change quickly and need to be tested weekly at least. Salifert's may be expensive but they are worth it. I test with red sea kits every now and than and they are basic but do the job.

04/23/2012, 07:25 PM	#7
nfored Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Kansas City Missouri Posts: 157	okay what about the cheaper api for ammonia I have that already and have always used that? So far this is what I have in my "wish list" Salifert Calcium Test Kit Salifert Magnesium Test Kit Salifert Nitrate Test Kit Salifert Phosphate Test Kit Salifert pH Test Kit Salifert KH/Alkalinity Test Kit I know my what has high silicate do I need this test kit also? what about strontium? I was thinking of buying in this order since I only have fowlr with skimmer now, and would need to at least buy lighting before going reef. 1st Salifert Nitrate Test Kit 2nd Salifert Phosphate Test Kit 3rd Salifert KH/Alkalinity Test Kit 4th Salifert Calcium Test Kit 5th Salifert Magnesium Test Kit 6th Salifert pH Test Kit Possible others 7th Salifert Strontium Test Kit

04/23/2012, 07:32 PM	#8
Andrew Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 13,640	I would move PH to the top of the list. Calcium, magnesium, strontium, ect can wait until you have corals. I would recommend dosing calcium however though when you get started to help promote coraline algae growth.

04/23/2012, 07:35 PM	#9
nfored Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Kansas City Missouri Posts: 157	Thanks for all your advice I will also try one our two per pay day.

04/23/2012, 07:45 PM	#10
Andrew Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 13,640	Feel free to ask any questions on here. It's better to ask and make sure of something than just guess or waste money.

04/23/2012, 08:24 PM	#11
frothyspoon Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Paradise Valley, AZ Posts: 128	+1 for Salifert And as a btw you don't need to buy all the test kits right away. I would just get magnesium, Ph, Calcium, and alk soon and you can always have your LFS test your water for you. They may do it for free or like a 1 dollar fee which isn't bad if you don't have $100 to go spend on test kits right away

04/23/2012, 08:27 PM	#12
Darth Vedder Sith Lord Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Saint Charles, MO Posts: 481	I really like the red sea pro for nitrate and magnesium so far, salifert and hanna checkers for the rest