1st tank, unsure of what test kit to get?????

[treedog5]

I'm starting my 1st reef tank, and i need advice on which test kit i should get. I want to get the one kit that can cover the most used test i should be performing. I know i will only be getting fish right now until my tank has some age on it. I keep hearing really bad things about the API kits and not really high praise for the Reef Masters kit either. So I'm not sure which direction to go with the test kits..Help plz

[bighead]

I use Salifert Amonia Cal Alk Mag nitrite nitrate for starters

[keithhays]

Red Sea Pro, Salifert, and Hanna Checkers are most used. I personally use Red Sea Pro Nitrate, calcium, and magnesium and the Hanna checkers for Phosphate and alkalinity. If you have a new tank you are setting up then you will need ammonia and nitrite as well.

If you are only running fish, you don't need to worry about calcium or magnesium, but I would do it anyway just to get in the habit of measuring and dosing it before you start to get into coral. Magnesium doesn't change that much so you can definitely put that off for a while as well.

[CoryD]

for a new tank you will probably want to check ph, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. while the api kits are not the greatest, they are about the cheapest. they will give you a pretty good idea about where your tanks cycle is. After awhile, you probably wont check these too often (at least i dont anymore) and will start checking calcium, mag, and alk. IMO the red sea kit is really good and affordable. The hanna checkers are also really nice, a little more $$ to startoff with though.

[cap032]

The biggest flaw with API tests is that the 5ml line on the test vial is often incorrect. If you use a syringe to draw 5ml of water and squirt it into the vial, the tests are actually pretty decent when compared to the more expensive tests. Someone else mentioned this before so I tried it. When I compared to my Red Sea Pro kits, the results were pretty close. API ammonia and Nitrite kits are pretty cheap and accurate. Dont be afraid to "get your feet wet" with API, their tests are easy for a beginner but again, dont trust the line on the vials, use a syringe instead.

[Saltwater_Biker]

Originally Posted by cap032

The biggest flaw with API tests is that the 5ml line on the test vial is often incorrect. If you use a syringe to draw 5ml of water and squirt it into the vial, the tests are actually pretty decent when compared to the more expensive tests. Someone else mentioned this before so I tried it. When I compared to my Red Sea Pro kits, the results were pretty close. API ammonia and Nitrite kits are pretty cheap and accurate. Dont be afraid to "get your feet wet" with API, their tests are easy for a beginner but again, dont trust the line on the vials, use a syringe instead.

so true, i used to full the vital by the marked line. I started using the syringe and saw how inconstant the marked levels were. Some were over the line and some were below the line when I stared to use the syringe.
Also make sure the lighting in the room is bright, I found that using a room that was too dark made my nitrate colors look darker.

[treedog5]

OK guys thanks for all your input. I will go with the API kits and just use a syringe as mentioned above. Based on price and the types of testing i need right now i hope this works out.. thx again

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[GroktheCube]

API kits have consistently given me false positives for ammonia in salt water. I've tried it with a few different kits, and they consistently read >0, even in freshly mixed makeup water. Maybe the 0 PPM color on the card is just less green than it should be.

[Caronte]

Don't use API. I use Salifert and if you can afforded get Hannas and Pinpoint checkers

[givinggoodwill]

red sea and hanna for me

[sleepydoc]

Salifert for NH4+, NO3, NO2 & Red Sea for Alk, Mg, Ca

[treedog5]

Now you see my problem? I was feeling good about going out and getting the API kits as long as i were to use a syringe. But now i think i need to get the red sea or salifert.. Decisions decisions..

[nynick]

You don't really need ammo and nitrite tests even when cycling. Once you get a nitrate spike, your ammo and nitrite are going down VERY fast.

Calcium, alkalinity is what you really need, Mg is very nice to have too even if you can kinda estimate it from the first 2. Phosphate and nitrate tests are nice to have but again you can guesstimate those levels by types and amounts of algae growth. I would still get a phosphate though, very common problem in the hobby.

Too many tests can make many new hobbyist do some very silly things so I would just check the very basics in the beginning.

[cap032]

Originally Posted by treedog5

Now you see my problem? I was feeling good about going out and getting the API kits as long as i were to use a syringe. But now i think i need to get the red sea or salifert.. Decisions decisions..

Most that have problems with API dont use a syringe......remember that. My ammonia and nitrite for a currently cycling 125 have been spot on. The others with problems likely are using test kits that are out of date. Make sure you buy from one of the big dealears such as BRS, Marine Depot, Aqua Cave, Salty Supply, etc. That way you are buying from a company that moves a lot of the product and you wont get a kit that has been sitting on a shelf for 2 years. FWIW, I had an old API kit which was out of date.....its innacurrate. The one thats in date again, is pretty consistent with my Red Sea Pro kit. The guy who said you dont need ammonia or nitrite kits when cycling is totally incorrect. In fact, those are the most important tests to have when cycling..........thats how you know when ammonia consuming bacteria are doing their job and nitrite consuming bacteria are doing there job. Without testing...........you are guessing............and guessing aint good with a reef tank!!!!!!! LOL