Test kit

Roger30 · 10/28/2013, 12:04 PM

What would be a good test kit to start with? Started my tank in sept 2013. Want to do a mix reef tank.

JRR1285 · 10/28/2013, 12:16 PM

I know a lot of people use the API test kits and I do as well. They are inexpensive and a good place to start. I have a Salifert MG test and it seems to work good as well.

I know Seachem and Salifert are highly regarded overall. I have been thinking of getting red sea test kits but for now my API kit is adequate. I would like to get a more sensitive phosphate test though.

Saltwater test kit

Reef test kit

Roger30 · 10/28/2013, 12:47 PM

Thanks for the info

mkoop · 10/28/2013, 01:12 PM

My .02 for what it is worth:

I have and use (was the first kit I tried) the API basic salt water kit. This has tests for Ammonia, Nitrites and Nitrates, in addition it has a test kit for pH.

I recently ordered the Red Sea Reef Foundation Pro Multi Test Kit for Calcium, Alkalinity and Magnesium.

If it is possible to get a 'feel' for a quality of a test kit, I'd tend to lean toward the Red Sea kit having better quality components. Though this could just be marketing and packaging, but I feel the actual test equipment is higher quality.

maikoa02 · 10/29/2013, 02:59 AM

API is basically you get what you pay for. This isn't a cheap hobby and some things you can save some money on and still be successful ie: cheaper pumps instead of tunze (although I love my tunze), cheaper skimmers instead of BKs. When it comes to test kits it's not worth it to go cheap and save a few dollars when you need a dependable and more importantly an accurate reading. An inaccurate figure could kill your reef. I use Elos test kits for alk, calcium, mag, nitrate. Lamotte to confirm alk. A ph meter for ph, and now a Hanna low range phosphate meter for phosphate as I've found that all the phosphate test kits out are too hard to differentiate or inaccurate (especially Red seas kit). And a refractometer for sg or salinity.

Jwill1212 · 10/29/2013, 03:40 AM

Personally, I use Red Sea Pro Kits........Hanna meters for ALK, phosphate...... and a ph probe, temp probe and salinity probe on my apex.

Crusinjimbo · 10/29/2013, 05:14 AM

Red Sea Pro and Hanna products. Easy to read and available about anywhere.

maikoa02 · 10/29/2013, 01:39 PM

Read up on Red Sea's Phosphate test kit. It seems to be stuck @ .08 and the company has not addressed the problem. Even sent a pm and email to their rep w/ no reply.

Cozwey · 10/29/2013, 06:59 PM

I had horrible experience with API. The Ammo N, and N all read zero. My tank never cycled according to these. I switched to Salifert. Wow was I shocked. I now use Salifert and Hanna checkers.

mannysmusic · 10/29/2013, 07:23 PM

For phosphate and All I use Hanna. For all others I use salifert.

10/28/2013, 12:04 PM	#1
Roger30 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Granada Hills Posts: 339	Test kit What would be a good test kit to start with? Started my tank in sept 2013. Want to do a mix reef tank.

10/29/2013, 05:14 AM	#7
Crusinjimbo Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Wesley Chapel FL Posts: 751	Red Sea Pro and Hanna products. Easy to read and available about anywhere. __________________ Jimbo 13.5G EVO

10/28/2013, 12:16 PM	#2
JRR1285 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Long Island Posts: 450	I know a lot of people use the API test kits and I do as well. They are inexpensive and a good place to start. I have a Salifert MG test and it seems to work good as well. I know Seachem and Salifert are highly regarded overall. I have been thinking of getting red sea test kits but for now my API kit is adequate. I would like to get a more sensitive phosphate test though. Saltwater test kit Reef test kit

10/28/2013, 12:47 PM	#3
Roger30 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Granada Hills Posts: 339	Thanks for the info

10/28/2013, 01:12 PM	#4
mkoop Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Madison WI Posts: 387	My .02 for what it is worth: I have and use (was the first kit I tried) the API basic salt water kit. This has tests for Ammonia, Nitrites and Nitrates, in addition it has a test kit for pH. I recently ordered the Red Sea Reef Foundation Pro Multi Test Kit for Calcium, Alkalinity and Magnesium. If it is possible to get a 'feel' for a quality of a test kit, I'd tend to lean toward the Red Sea kit having better quality components. Though this could just be marketing and packaging, but I feel the actual test equipment is higher quality.

10/29/2013, 02:59 AM	#5
maikoa02 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: RSM Posts: 456	API is basically you get what you pay for. This isn't a cheap hobby and some things you can save some money on and still be successful ie: cheaper pumps instead of tunze (although I love my tunze), cheaper skimmers instead of BKs. When it comes to test kits it's not worth it to go cheap and save a few dollars when you need a dependable and more importantly an accurate reading. An inaccurate figure could kill your reef. I use Elos test kits for alk, calcium, mag, nitrate. Lamotte to confirm alk. A ph meter for ph, and now a Hanna low range phosphate meter for phosphate as I've found that all the phosphate test kits out are too hard to differentiate or inaccurate (especially Red seas kit). And a refractometer for sg or salinity.

10/29/2013, 03:40 AM	#6
Jwill1212 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: West Coast of Florida Posts: 93	Personally, I use Red Sea Pro Kits........Hanna meters for ALK, phosphate...... and a ph probe, temp probe and salinity probe on my apex.

10/29/2013, 01:39 PM	#8
maikoa02 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: RSM Posts: 456	Read up on Red Sea's Phosphate test kit. It seems to be stuck @ .08 and the company has not addressed the problem. Even sent a pm and email to their rep w/ no reply.

10/29/2013, 06:59 PM	#9
Cozwey Go Canada!!!! Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Posts: 363 Blog Entries: 1	I had horrible experience with API. The Ammo N, and N all read zero. My tank never cycled according to these. I switched to Salifert. Wow was I shocked. I now use Salifert and Hanna checkers.

10/29/2013, 07:23 PM	#10
mannysmusic Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 56	For phosphate and All I use Hanna. For all others I use salifert.