Test Kit/ salt brand advice. Everyones .02cents is welcome!

Sean_South · 01/08/2012, 06:24 PM

Hey RC,

I am starting my first reef tank very soon and am just finishing up my basic research!

My question is does anyone have a test kit recommendation? I am leaning towards a SeaChem MultiTest: Marine Basic Test Kit

This kit combines the Marine pH & Alkalinity, Ammonia and Nitrite & Nitrate kits into one kit. (pH, alkalinity, free/total ammonia, nitrite, nitrate MultiTest Kit).

Anyone have any past experience with this test? It seems to be a good starting kit. I like that it has all the basic tests in one. And once I get more advanced/research more corals and begin dosing certain chemicals I can buy those tests as I go.

Also looking for a salt brand to use. pros/cons of different brands.

Thanks for any help RC!

capschamp · 01/08/2012, 09:04 PM

Always used the api test kit. Never had any problems. Used to use catalina natural seawater in a box. Wasted a bunch of money, but saved a little time. Current build will use reef crystals from io. Not sure where it is, but for the money it supplies the right elements for what i want to achieve (mixed reef). First aquarium back in 2004 i used instant ocean and tap water. Only had problems with algae until i switched to ro/di. Never lost anything though. Broke it down after a year and sold it due to moving.

capschamp · 01/08/2012, 09:09 PM

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1714505

This thread has comparisons of different brands.

MuffsAbby · 01/08/2012, 09:15 PM

I started with API, but moved to SeaChem for two reasons. First, API doesn't have a free ammonia test, only total, and I wanted to be able to test free ammonia in my QT. Second, I got tired of all the shaking you have to do with the API nitrate test. The Seachem test is much easier. I've heard good things about Salifert, but I can't find a retailer that stocks it in my area (Canada), so I've never used it.

Joe0813 · 01/08/2012, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MuffsAbby

I started with API, but moved to SeaChem for two reasons. First, API doesn't have a free ammonia test, only total, and I wanted to be able to test free ammonia in my QT. Second, I got tired of all the shaking you have to do with the API nitrate test. The Seachem test is much easier. I've heard good things about Salifert, but I can't find a retailer that stocks it in my area (Canada), so I've never used it.

what do you mean free ammonia test and total.... I just started cycling my QT tonight and i bought the API test kit.

MuffsAbby · 01/08/2012, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe0813

what do you mean free ammonia test and total.... I just started cycling my QT tonight and i bought the API test kit.

Total ammonia is comprised of (1) free ammonia, which is toxic to fish and (2) ammonium, which is not particularly toxic. The API test only measures total ammonia (free ammonia plus ammonium). If you're just using the API test for cycling -- i.e., to assess when ammonia falls to 0 -- then you're fine. Put another way, if total ammonia is 0, then free ammonia will also be 0.

Issues can arise if, for example, you're using an ammonia neutralizer (such as prime), which essentially converts free ammonia to ammonium. If you then measure using API (total ammonia), you'll still get an ammonia reading, even though free ammonia is nil. If you measure using Seachem, then you can determine whether or not you have free ammonia.

For a QT, I also use Seachem's ammonia alert badge (costs about $5). You just put it in your tank (it has a suction cup) and it gives a continual ammonia reading...the badge measures free ammonia only.

Joe0813 · 01/08/2012, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MuffsAbby

Total ammonia is comprised of (1) free ammonia, which is toxic to fish and (2) ammonium, which is not particularly toxic. The API test only measures total ammonia (free ammonia plus ammonium). If you're just using the API test for cycling -- i.e., to assess when ammonia falls to 0 -- then you're fine. Put another way, if total ammonia is 0, then free ammonia will also be 0.

Issues can arise if, for example, you're using an ammonia neutralizer (such as prime), which essentially converts free ammonia to ammonium. If you then measure using API (total ammonia), you'll still get an ammonia reading, even though free ammonia is nil. If you measure using Seachem, then you can determine whether or not you have free ammonia.

For a QT, I also use Seachem's ammonia alert badge (costs about $5). You just put it in your tank (it has a suction cup) and it gives a continual ammonia reading...the badge measures free ammonia only.

AhHhhhh i get it... alright thanks, appreciate the advice. and im assuming i can get this badge off bulkreef supply or my LFS might have one. ill search online.

doctorgori · 01/09/2012, 03:27 AM

..."Salt Wars" will continue until the world ends this December 2012

I'd guess there are 100 threads here on RC where someone switched salt brands and they attributed the observed coral response (positive/negative) to the "new" brand
....let me tell it; I'd bet ANY change would have yielded the same result, but....

...my take is "whatever" magical stuff someone perceives is in their preferred brand can be dosed a lot cheaper than buying it "organically" in the salt...

ReeferEric · 01/09/2012, 08:52 AM

Nobody uses Salifert anymore. Years ago when I was in it, they were one of the best. Salt choice was instant ocean with kalk dosing to bring up the calcium level or was it mag? It's been a while as you can see.

VegasUSP · 01/09/2012, 08:56 AM

I am so sick of color cards that i'm going to switch to Hanna Checkers asap.

doctorgori · 01/09/2012, 03:07 PM

^this
...only caveat: hope your eyes are good, because that doggone Calcium test and its mandate of a .1ml "sample" is hard to do (in thier defense they have a method for dispensing a .1ml drop, but you need "young" eyes)

gldnegle76 · 01/09/2012, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReeferEric

Nobody uses Salifert anymore.

I beg to differ.

VegasUSP · 01/09/2012, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doctorgori

^this
...only caveat: hope your eyes are good, because that doggone Calcium test and its mandate of a .1ml "sample" is hard to do (in thier defense they have a method for dispensing a .1ml drop, but you need "young" eyes)

Yeah I saw that. However I have young eyes so for the time being I should be ok

dlp211 · 01/09/2012, 08:38 PM

Mg/Ca/dKH - Red Sea
NO3 - Salifert
NH3/NO2 - API
PH - Probe
PO4 - Hanna Checker 713/736
Salt - IO, does Ca/Alk as needed

This is what I use with the exception of the salt. I will be moving to IO and dose it with Ca and Alk to match my tank. I am currently using Reef Crystals, but I believe it may be the cause of some minor issues in my tank.

For ammonia(NH3), PH, and nitrite(NO2), I used the API test kit during my cycle. Now that I am cycled, I don't worry about testing for NH3 or NO2, but I do have a SeaChem Ammonia alert badge in my fuge for a just in case.

For PO4 I use the 713, but the 736 also works, but you need to do some math to find your PO4 numbers.

FWIW, Randy uses IO in his reefs and all he does is Reef Chemistry.

MuffsAbby · 01/09/2012, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlp211

Now that I am cycled, I don't worry about testing for NH3 or NO2, but I do have a SeaChem Ammonia alert badge in my fuge for a just in case.

+1. I don't bother testing my DT for ammonia or nitrite either, but I keep an ammonia badge in my DT sump, just in case.

01/08/2012, 06:24 PM	#1
Sean_South Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 130	Test Kit/ salt brand advice. Everyones .02cents is welcome! Hey RC, I am starting my first reef tank very soon and am just finishing up my basic research! My question is does anyone have a test kit recommendation? I am leaning towards a SeaChem MultiTest: Marine Basic Test Kit This kit combines the Marine pH & Alkalinity, Ammonia and Nitrite & Nitrate kits into one kit. (pH, alkalinity, free/total ammonia, nitrite, nitrate MultiTest Kit). Anyone have any past experience with this test? It seems to be a good starting kit. I like that it has all the basic tests in one. And once I get more advanced/research more corals and begin dosing certain chemicals I can buy those tests as I go. Also looking for a salt brand to use. pros/cons of different brands. Thanks for any help RC!

01/09/2012, 08:38 PM	#14
dlp211 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 591	Mg/Ca/dKH - Red Sea NO3 - Salifert NH3/NO2 - API PH - Probe PO4 - Hanna Checker 713/736 Salt - IO, does Ca/Alk as needed This is what I use with the exception of the salt. I will be moving to IO and dose it with Ca and Alk to match my tank. I am currently using Reef Crystals, but I believe it may be the cause of some minor issues in my tank. For ammonia(NH3), PH, and nitrite(NO2), I used the API test kit during my cycle. Now that I am cycled, I don't worry about testing for NH3 or NO2, but I do have a SeaChem Ammonia alert badge in my fuge for a just in case. For PO4 I use the 713, but the 736 also works, but you need to do some math to find your PO4 numbers. FWIW, Randy uses IO in his reefs and all he does is Reef Chemistry. __________________ Standard 180 w/C2C overflow 40B Sump, 40B refugium w/DSB SRO 3000 internal, BRS Carbon Rx 100# BRS Pukani, 40# Marco

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01/08/2012, 09:04 PM	#2
capschamp Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: N/W Ohio Posts: 101	Always used the api test kit. Never had any problems. Used to use catalina natural seawater in a box. Wasted a bunch of money, but saved a little time. Current build will use reef crystals from io. Not sure where it is, but for the money it supplies the right elements for what i want to achieve (mixed reef). First aquarium back in 2004 i used instant ocean and tap water. Only had problems with algae until i switched to ro/di. Never lost anything though. Broke it down after a year and sold it due to moving.

01/08/2012, 09:09 PM	#3
capschamp Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: N/W Ohio Posts: 101	http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1714505 This thread has comparisons of different brands.

01/08/2012, 09:15 PM	#4
MuffsAbby Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Mississauga, Ontario Posts: 327	I started with API, but moved to SeaChem for two reasons. First, API doesn't have a free ammonia test, only total, and I wanted to be able to test free ammonia in my QT. Second, I got tired of all the shaking you have to do with the API nitrate test. The Seachem test is much easier. I've heard good things about Salifert, but I can't find a retailer that stocks it in my area (Canada), so I've never used it.

01/09/2012, 03:27 AM	#8
doctorgori Moved On Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Simon Bar-Sinistar Posts: 1,097	..."Salt Wars" will continue until the world ends this December 2012 I'd guess there are 100 threads here on RC where someone switched salt brands and they attributed the observed coral response (positive/negative) to the "new" brand ....let me tell it; I'd bet ANY change would have yielded the same result, but.... ...my take is "whatever" magical stuff someone perceives is in their preferred brand can be dosed a lot cheaper than buying it "organically" in the salt...

01/09/2012, 08:52 AM	#9
ReeferEric Moved On Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: S. FL Posts: 65	Nobody uses Salifert anymore. Years ago when I was in it, they were one of the best. Salt choice was instant ocean with kalk dosing to bring up the calcium level or was it mag? It's been a while as you can see.

01/09/2012, 08:56 AM	#10
VegasUSP Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 119	I am so sick of color cards that i'm going to switch to Hanna Checkers asap.

01/09/2012, 03:07 PM	#11
doctorgori Moved On Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Simon Bar-Sinistar Posts: 1,097	^this ...only caveat: hope your eyes are good, because that doggone Calcium test and its mandate of a .1ml "sample" is hard to do (in thier defense they have a method for dispensing a .1ml drop, but you need "young" eyes)