Best testing kits to start with
- Thread starter wbrinker
- Start date
IMO, the best test kits to start with have Ph, Nitrites, Ammonia, Nitrates tests for saltwater. API is pretty affordable. You need a thermometer and something to test the salinity. A refractometer is a good investment, but I think most people start with a hydrometer.
These basic levels can be enough for about 6 months while your tank is stabilizing. Once you're ready to add corals, you'll need more test kits.
Have fun!
Denise
These basic levels can be enough for about 6 months while your tank is stabilizing. Once you're ready to add corals, you'll need more test kits.
Have fun!
Denise
Ron Reefman
Active member
A good thermometer, a calibrated hydrometer or refractometer (they work equally as well if calibrated). API kits for ammonia and nitrates (don't worry about nitrites). Any pH test (test kits tend to be hard to read and pH meters are expensive) and they all we just tell you over and over that your pH is XX (XX being some narrow range that almost never changes 7.8-8.0 or 7.9-8.1 or 8.0-8.2...). I use both API and Salifert for calcium and alkalinity and only Salifert for magnesium, but you won't need any of those 3 until your tank is 4-6 months old. And maybe not even then if you don't have stony corals, or if you do frequent enough water changes. I use the API tests for cal & alk, if one looks out of normal (my tank is very mature and stable now) I test with the Salifert kit. They take a bit longer to do but they are a bit more precise (not accurate, but precise... those aren't the same thing). Accurate means it's right, precise means it's easier to read and read down to smaller units of measurement. But that's all just my opinion.
Similar threads
