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02/02/2007, 08:49 PM
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#1 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 369
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Test Kits
I was just wondering, what test kits do I need for my FOWLR tank? Is Hagen good? What about Instant Ocean? What brands are good that don't break the bank? Thanks.
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02/02/2007, 08:56 PM
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#2 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 4,384
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Salifert people say is the best, you can get away with cheap ones, I use cheap ones and just salifert for calcium and alkalinity where I check those for my SPS corals and clams.
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ATI T5 club Current Tank Info: Left the hobby, looking to re-enter in the future |
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02/02/2007, 09:13 PM
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#3 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 369
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what test kits should I use for my tank? No corals, just live rock and fish.
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I think therefor I am Current Tank Info: 75g mixed reef, 20g FW, 5g QT |
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02/02/2007, 09:16 PM
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#4 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 4,384
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I just used a saltwater master test kit, came with ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH tests. About 13 dollars, worked fine.
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ATI T5 club Current Tank Info: Left the hobby, looking to re-enter in the future |
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02/02/2007, 09:23 PM
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#5 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Toledo, Ohio USA
Posts: 2,051
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I didn't care for Hagen kits--
I use-- Aquarium Pharmaceuticals for ammonia, nitrite SAlifert for Nitrate, ph, Calcium & Alkalinity... You can get away without calcium & alkalinity for FOWLR-- however if you dose either calcium or any type of buffer (alkalinity supplement), you should test for both Calcium AND Alkalinity or your levels may get out of whack... they are very interrelated... You also might want to maintain calcium and alkalinity if you want healthy coraline growth...
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"I only have time to neglect one tank"-- Me "I don't want to achieve immortality through my work, I want to achieve immortality by not dying"-- Woody Allen Current Tank Info: 125G mixed reef with 135G Sump |
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02/02/2007, 09:40 PM
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#6 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 369
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What about Instant Ocean test kits? Also, do you think this would be enough: Nitrate, Nitrite, PH, Ammonia, Alkalinity, Calcium?
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I think therefor I am Current Tank Info: 75g mixed reef, 20g FW, 5g QT |
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02/02/2007, 11:13 PM
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#7 |
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Moved On
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Winterhaven, fl
Posts: 4,081
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why calcium and alkilinity for Fowlr?
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02/03/2007, 12:14 AM
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#8 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 369
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So I shouldn't need calcium and alkalinity? Can someone please sum up everything I need and what brands for test kits. thanks.
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I think therefor I am Current Tank Info: 75g mixed reef, 20g FW, 5g QT |
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02/03/2007, 12:19 AM
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#9 |
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Team RC Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: STL
Posts: 14,754
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Salifert makes quality testkits. A refractometer for salinity would be advisable too. I would do the alkalinity at least. If you target your levels to be between 7-11dkh it will help with excess pH swing.
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-Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system |
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02/04/2007, 07:03 AM
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#10 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Middletown, CT
Posts: 3,239
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Why does everyone want to buy the so called cheap kits? An Instant Ocean Nitrate kit is going to cost you about $8 for 20 tests. A Salifert kit is going to cost you $11.75 for 60 tests.
Salifert Prices
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Jeff PAST CTARS President Past MASNA Treasurer |
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