Isn't there a test kit that includes all tests?

[Cool_fish]

I see all kinds of test kits, and from the stickies, I haven't found one that has all the tests inclusive in one kit. Am I looking right at one or what would be the kit recommended for a noobie to have? I am thinking of having a reef scenario in my tank, so I see calcium is high on the list.... Should I buy the tests individually to get the best test for each type of test? What would you long time reefers recommend? I have no problem with a link (or links) to a test kit....

[Dkuhlmann]

No sadly there isn't that I've found. I've got Red Sea reef kit that has Alk, Mg and Ca then I also have single kits for nitrate and phosphate. I don't worry about testing for ammonia, nitrites and PH. I've got kits for them but after the initial cycle I don't test for them.

[ScienceRulez]

The closest I have found is the API Master Kit, unfortunately API doesn't make the most accurate test kit.

[Cool_fish]

So, if API isn't the good one, and I need to look for them individually, what brand would you recommend? I would rather pay for good tests than an all-inclusive that isn't accurate. I also do not want to walk into a LFS and have them sell me whatever is on the shelf.

[BrokenSpoke]

Many people, myself included, are very happy with the Red Sea kits. I have the Algae Control kit (Nitrates and Phosphate) and the Reef Foundation kit (Alkalinity, Calcium, and Magnesium).

[JammyBirch]

I think for a beginner the Red Sea Pro is as good as it gets, it has ph, Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate and Alkalinity I think...

As mentioned you need the Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate kit if you're planning a cycle in your tank other than that you'll only ever measure the Nitrate until you don't need to measure that anymore.

For me the main test is Alk and I use the Hanna checker...very awesome device. I use Hanna for Calcium also, it's pretty good too but takes more patience.

I also use RedSea Mag Pro kit for measuring magnesium, I tried the Salifert kit but prefer the Red Sea.

Nitrate and Phosphate is debatable, I'm in the camp of watching my tank to determine the status of Phosphate amount...Nitrate I have tons of data that tell me how much I produce in a month so my water change schedule helps me maintain that one.

I think in the beginning you need to be rigorous about your water parameters until you get a feel for how your system works, until then I'd recommend the Red Sea Pro kit.

[d0ughb0y]

if you want everything, the closest would be the triton test. it is expensive though.

http://uniquecorals.com/dry-goods/tr...est-vials.html

[Cool_fish]

How about these:

http://www.amazon.com/Red-Sea-Reef-F...A3TMLEXVMVIW94

and

http://www.amazon.com/Red-Sea-ARE215...A25DVOZOPBFMAN

Hopefully those links work, like all the test kits, there seems to be a couple different versions of each - deciphering what is applicable is hard to understand for a newcomer.

[Cool_fish]

Originally Posted by d0ughb0y

if you want everything, the closest would be the triton test. it is expensive though.

http://uniquecorals.com/dry-goods/tr...est-vials.html

This isn't as expensive as some of the Red Sea kits... decisions, decisions...

EDIT - sorry, reading IS important. That is a test you apparently send in. Got it.

[d0ughb0y]

Originally Posted by Cool_fish

This isn't as expensive as some of the Red Sea kits... decisions, decisions...

EDIT - sorry, reading IS important. That is a test you apparently send in. Got it.

yeah, $50 is for ONE test only. But if you really want one test that does it all, this would be it.

[heathlindner25]

I like Red Sea Pro for : cal,alk,and mag
Salifert for nitrates and phosphates

[reenact12321]

I'm with Broken Spoke, I just ordered my Red Sea Reef Foundation kit today, API are not great.

[bshow24]

Originally Posted by Cool_fish

So, if API isn't the good one, and I need to look for them individually, what brand would you recommend? I would rather pay for good tests than an all-inclusive that isn't accurate. I also do not want to walk into a LFS and have them sell me whatever is on the shelf.

One suggestion I received that I will now pass on to you, don't rely on 1 test.

Here are the tests I utilize:
Calcium: Red Sea, Salifert
Alkalinity: Red Sea, Salifert, Hanna Checker
Magnesium: Red Sea, Salifert
Nitrate: Red Sea, Salifert
Phosphate: Hanna Checker, Salifert

I have at least 2 ways of testing everything so I can compare. I don't want to think my alk/calc is good only to find out later my test may have been compromised or incorrect, and I would suggest that to you as well. You can't go wrong with Red Sea/Salifert, but you definitely can't go wrong if you compare the two!

[heathlindner25]

Originally Posted by bshow24

One suggestion I received that I will now pass on to you, don't rely on 1 test.

Here are the tests I utilize:
Calcium: Red Sea, Salifert
Alkalinity: Red Sea, Salifert, Hanna Checker
Magnesium: Red Sea, Salifert
Nitrate: Red Sea, Salifert
Phosphate: Hanna Checker, Salifert

I have at least 2 ways of testing everything so I can compare. I don't want to think my alk/calc is good only to find out later my test may have been compromised or incorrect, and I would suggest that to you as well. You can't go wrong with Red Sea/Salifert, but you definitely can't go wrong if you compare the two!

Best advice yet.... I really need to do this

[Cool_fish]

Tests are some real $$$. I didn't realize until this past week looking around. Well, I have just about everything I need to get my tank started cycling, so I guess it is time to start getting ready to be the mad scientist and get some test kits headed my direction. I like the reviews of the Red Sea kits.

[jbvdhp]

The best tests for me have been Salifert tests. The Red Sea marine care has all you need for basics: ammonia and the byproducts, alk, pH... But I don't like them as much as the salifert.


Sent using your IP address

[Reef Frog]

Red Sea has a good ca/all/my test & it's all housed in a nice plastic box with a nice test tube holder.

But I have come to prefer Salifedt as the end points seem more "definitive" if you will. But the packaging is cheap & flimsy, the instructions are grammatically incorrect and printed on copier paper (as opposed to the nice booklet & quick reference cards with RS). But the tests work well and that's what counts.

Salifert is sold as independent kits but some of the big websites sell them in groups,
Presumably saving you a few dollars.

[Cool_fish]

Originally Posted by jbvdhp

Sent using your IP address

Huh? Using my IP address, lol?

[Cool_fish]

I'll do some comparisons b/t Red Sea and Salifert.

Mahalo!

[Nakie31]

there is a kit with everything in it it's made by Nutrafin and it cost about 90.00 I saw it on ebay

[JammyBirch]

Originally Posted by bshow24

One suggestion I received that I will now pass on to you, don't rely on 1 test.

Here are the tests I utilize:
Calcium: Red Sea, Salifert
Alkalinity: Red Sea, Salifert, Hanna Checker
Magnesium: Red Sea, Salifert
Nitrate: Red Sea, Salifert
Phosphate: Hanna Checker, Salifert

I have at least 2 ways of testing everything so I can compare. I don't want to think my alk/calc is good only to find out later my test may have been compromised or incorrect, and I would suggest that to you as well. You can't go wrong with Red Sea/Salifert, but you definitely can't go wrong if you compare the two!

How often are you guys testing? I admit that I used to test a lot, very systematically and recorded all of my measurements religiously...in the beginning. I never double checked with another test kit...this hobby is expensive enough. Plus I learned what the tank was doing over time...I don't measure anything except Alkalinity now...