Buying test kits

[Kewlworm]

I need to buy some test kits. I have Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Saltwater Master Test Kit (pH, Ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate).

I am looking at
Big Als.

Which one should I get from there? I think I need Calcium, Magnesium, Strontium, Iodine, Phosphate, and Alkalinity.

I know Salifert is the best out there right now, but it's too much $ for me.

Thanks!

 

[ZURCSREEF]

Seachem or... I'd hate to say this, Red Sea if you can ONLY buy from Bigals, but if you are able to get something else, I would suggest Sera or Hagen test kits if you don't want to spend the money on Salifert. In the long wrong, you would want to spend the little extra money on Salifert, only because you can trust what you read when testing. Its probably the most reliable company when it comes to testing.

I use Sera and haven't had a problem, I like it and there easy to read, but I do have salifert test kits aswell and like them, hagen too.


Just my .02
-Mike C.

 

[Kewlworm]

Do you know any place that sells them? Locally or online?

Thanks!

 

[ZURCSREEF]

For Salifert: Dania Reef Life
For Sera: Dania Reef Life / Under Sea Aquatics
For Hagen: Beverlys Pet Center

-Mike C.

 

[bawla47]

kewlworm. my best advice is to buy salifert test kits from the start. Ive wasted my money on cheaper test kits that are far inferior to saliferts acuracy. there expensive at first, but alot of the kits last a while too, so it almost evens out. your going to kick yourself in the butt if you buy cheaper ones, and question there quality and accuracy, and end up spending double(like me )


ive got all mine from marinedepot.

i would buy salifert- calcium, alk, nitrate and phosphate

optional magnesium and strontium.


as long as you do regular waterchanges with quality salt, i wouldnt really worry too much about mag, strontium, and iodine.

keeping your mag and strontium up however does excel corraline growth.

 

[Kewlworm]

Hmm...bawla, you reminded of a debate my friend and I had. It was accuracy of expensive and cheap test kit.

For calcium for instance, do I really need to know the exact level of the expensive test kit offer? or the cheaper kit is close enough?

I was saliferts all the way before, but he (and money) kinda convinced me. Now, I am thinking Saliferts for crucial elements and cheaper test kits for others like Calcium, Magnesium, and such.

Any thought? Should I go back to my old thinking (where saliferts is NO. 1)?

Thanks!

 

[bawla47]

i think alk and calcium are the most important salifert kits you should buy above the rest.

only because ive tried other cheaper brands, and they were as much as 50ppm off. I think thats a big diference.

Also, it well help provide more of a stable enviroment, keeping your balance in your tank less variable.


saliferts customer service alone is really a step ahead too. you can find out if your test kit is accurate by checking the batch, if your tests are questionable. There sending me replacements tips because I slept on them by accident. (dont ask lol)

for the other kits, i think you can skimp on if nescasary.

 

[Rogger Castells]

I second salifert, I will save my money and don't buy neither amonia, nitrite or nitrate.
I would buy calcium, magnesium, phosphate & alkalinity. FYI magnesium is just as important as calcium, with out it it doesn't matter your calcium level, your corals just won't grow period.

 

[Kewlworm]

Thanks guys! I will be getting salifert for calcium, magnesium, phosphate & alkalinity as Rogger mentioned.

Also, what about iodine? Should I get that one too? I am dosing twice a week w/ half dose and everytime I dose, my xenias actually open and close...very slowly.

Thanks!