Testing Kits

[AJ1080]

Im just wondering what test kit everyone uses? I've made the switch from Fresh to Salt but when I was doing Freshwater I always heard people putting down Aquarium Pharmaceuticals tests. I need to pick up a testing kit and am just wondering what is typically the best to buy? Is there one brand that you guys trust more than the others? Should I buy a "master" kit or go with all individuals?

My tank primarily consists of mushrooms, leather, and star polyps right now.

Thank you in advance.

 

[Hawkeye]

you're going to get various opinions on this.

rather than focus on the brand - I would just suggest you focus on what to test:

http://www.njreefers.org/joomla/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=26&topic=8356.0

if the tank is already set up you can skip the ammonia/nitrite kits. In my humble opinion tanks primarily focused on soft corals (like yours) typically require less testing. The main ones might be:

Salinity
35 ppt or sg = 1.026

Temperature
76-83° F

pH
7.8-8.5 OK....8.1-8.3 is better

the link above has more details. and in my opinion don't bother with a master kit unless you can get a good deal on it.

 

[AJ1080]

Hawkeye,

Thank you very much. Thats going to help a lot. I appreciate the help.

Just bought a refractometer and will probably get a nitrate and ph tester to start off with.

 

[JRWOHLER]

Refractometer is must so that is good.
Other tests are important PH Nitrate and Alk, eventually calcium and Mag.
But all that said your corals right now are not super sensitive ones. They won't care so much about calcium for instance.

 

[9supratt4]

No answer your question directly....I find that Salifert kits are usually the most accurate. But also check out the Hanna Colorimeters...they are coming out with new ones all the time and I find those even better than Salifert kits.

 

[magic]

I've used a lot of different test and I like Elos. Like James said if you can afford the Hanna meters go for it.

Bob

 

[AJ1080]

Thank you for all the responses everyone!

The Hannas do look awesome. Im going to have to find a way to get them. Its always better when I dont have to hold the little cards up and try to determine exactly where Im at!

 

[cheap110]

Spam

 

[TanksNStuff]

From my experience and what I've researched, the Salifert and Elos kits are the most preferred and most accurate. I have several Salifert's and they work fine... but I love my Hanna meters. A digital reading is so much easier than trying to match a color scale on a card.

Phil, that link you posted is taking me to the NJRC home page.

 

[Hawkeye]

From my experience and what I've researched, the Salifert and Elos kits are the most preferred and most accurate. I have several Salifert's and they work fine... but I love my Hanna meters. A digital reading is so much easier than trying to match a color scale on a card.

Phil, that link you posted is taking me to the NJRC home page.

sticky are not linking correctly. I re posted the original article.