Lets talk water testing equipment...

[Mark...]

I bought a nice salinity refractometer, but now that I'm getting close to cooking rock and making water I want to to get some recommendations on whats good as well as whats needed especially at start up.

It seems the Hanna phosphate checker is the gold standard for phosphate.
I guess I will definitely need nitrate and ammonia.

Any gold standard kits that cover most tests?

Mark...

 

[Arce]

red sea foundation test kit... mag alk and calc... Thats what i use.

 

[trivan]

I've switch to Red Sea Pro as well, i like them as there are basically only 2 colors your need to watch for. I've tested the Alk against my Hanna and they are both within tolerance of each other.

 

[copterdoc]

I'm using the Red Sea Foundation as well and like it.

 

[lefkonj]

After being burned by Elos a few times, Red Sea is what I use. Hanna is good to but not sure its worth the extra money.

 

[ecam]

I use salifert for all my test an Hanna for phos

 

[Ryeguyy84]

Red Sea here as well for mag, alk, cal. Hanna for phosphate salifert for nitrite

 

[Mark...]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I'm getting a feel for what ones to buy.

 

[iTzJu]

red sea pro foundation kit, also have Hanna Alk and Phosphate kit.

 

[Tommyboynj]

Red sea or Salifer are the way to go.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

 

[downbeach]

Salifert and Red Sea are both good choices, but I like the Red Sea Kit that contains all three: Ca, Mg and Alk. For the basic stuff, I like the Tropic Marin Kit. For PO4, I'd suggest using a Hanna meter. Do you have some calibration solution for the refractometer?

 

[Mark...]

Today I ordered the following, thanks for all the advise, it really helps.

Red Sea MCP Marine Care Master Test Kit
Red Sea Reef Foundation Pro Ca/Alk/Mg Multi Test Kit
Hanna HI713 Phosphate Meter Checker, Colorimeter, plus extra reagent.

Downbeach, I haven't opened up the refractometer, do they generally come with calibration solution?

 

[Mark...]

Anyone use this reagent for their Hanna hi phosphate? 713 They say its for the Hanna.

 

[downbeach]

Downbeach, I haven't opened up the refractometer, do they generally come with calibration solution?

Some do, but most will tell you to use RO/DI or distilled water. You should be using a solution that is at the refractive index of the sample you'll be testing @ 35ppt, something like this.

 

[Empire]

I use salifert for all my test an Hanna for phos

+1. Not a fan of Red Sea.

 

[asonitez]

I have been using the Red Sea kits for quite some time now ever since I got with the Red Sea Color program. The initital jump into the program is pretty pricey but I don't dose per the reccomendation and instead I go a few days in between dosing which I have had stellar results with.

My 7 year old does my water testing for me. Googles Gloves and the whole deal. Even labcoat. He is gettin good at the titration tests as well.

 

[Juano908]

Red sea here too.

Sent from my LG-MS840 using Tapatalk 2

 

[radiata]

I use a LaMotte Smart2 Colorimeter for my phosphate, nitrate, and iron.
I use Red Sea Pro for my Magnesium and Potassium.
I use Salifert for my Alkalinity and my Calcium.

 

[Paul B]

The first thing I do in the morning is touch the glass on my tank to check the temperature, and that's about it for me with testing equipment. Is that bad? Dance

 

[dirtycontour]

The first thing I do in the morning is touch the glass on my tank to check the temperature, and that's about it for me with testing equipment. Is that bad? Dance

View attachment 7656

This is very bad! Your tank is gonna crash soon