test equipment

[jimnrose]

What test equipment should be purchased when initially setting up an tank? I understand salinity, specific gravioty and temperature are the most important. Are inexpensive manual instruments accurate enough & which brands? When is it advisable to have digital monitoring?
Thanks, Jim

[alextheromanian]

dear jim you will find that this topic may have alot of different opinnions. as far as salinity i suggest

http://www.petsmart.com/graphics/pro...757459t400.jpg

i was told that of all this one was one of the trustier brands, i had it compared to 4 other and it seems to be reading just great so far after a year of using it.

for temperature many use stickon magnets for a quick read...i have two on each side to make sure they are always showing the same number plus 1 mercury thermometer inside of the tank in a corner where the LEAST ammount of action happens. this is because its made of glass and it has mercury and if it were to break....i wouldnt even stick my hand in there due to how toxic it is.

as far as water quality goes many will say many things. but will mostly all agree on ONE thing.

DIP strips are GARBAGE.

i have the API test kits...not the most expensive ones but then again not accurate. i thought my cycle was done once and took the water to a local lfs for double testing and it turned out i still had ammonia nitrite and nitrates. the test THEY use is a HAGEN master test kit.

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewIt...s~vendor~.html

they also said that they could get it for me for 78$ from their supplier rather than what marinedepot.com lists it for...without shipping.

i hope this helped in some way.
alex

[snorvich]

Sorry to disagree with alex but hydrometers don't cut it. For salinity you will need a refractometer that has been calibrated. Available on ebay or from various online vendors.

[jimnrose]

Thanks for your inputs. I'll try to get a used refractometer to soften the sticker shock. How about digital temp probes? Are they more accurate & I'm guessing they would be in the sump tank.

[padi200]

or a salinity monitor.. american marine, also from marinedepot

[padi200]

i love the american marine ph monitor.. beats the test kits hands down

[jimnrose]

I'll keep watching ebay and try to get used salinity & PH monitors.
Thanks, Jim

[che25]

I would like to get away from a pH test and go with a monitor. I'm looking at a controller unit that includes pH monitoring. However, until I'm of the mood to fork over $300.00, I'm going to continue using the liquid test kits.