New Tank - Test Kits

[jeryl]

I am in the process of setting up a 40 gallon breeder using Apex controller and natural sea water. I am considering the following test kits to monitor cycling (dry rock with shrimp method) and then periodic monitoring. I am planning on trying stony corals as well as softies and possibly a red bubble tip:

Hanna Checker Phosphate Calorimeter
Refill Reagent for Hanna Checker Phosphate Calorimeter
Salifert Nitrate
Salifert Nitrite

I am looking for opinions on the items above as well as recommendations on additional test kits I will need. I have read some negative postings about the current status of Read Sea test kits but am interested in all opinions.

Thanks

Jeryl

 

[DRThompson]

Test kits are fine, consider some nitrifying bacteria to help get things started like fritz.

Also, seachem makes an ammonia alert sensor that you place inside the tank.

 

[AquamanE]

for cycling you will need Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate. All others will come later. Ide buy cheap since after cycle you will use ammonia, nitrite, very infrequently, if at all, unless you have a problem. After that depending on what you keep you will need nitrate, phosphate, alk, ca, and Mg. Ph to some point.

Specific Gravity= Always!!1

 

[DRThompson]

for cycling you will need ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. All others will come later. Ide buy cheap since after cycle you will use ammonia, nitrite, very infrequently, if at all, unless you have a problem. After that depending on what you keep you will need nitrate, phosphate, alk, ca, and mg. Ph to some point.

Specific gravity= always!!1

+1

 

[jeryl]

Thank you for your suggestions. I will go with less expensive nitrite and ammonia test kits as they are typically only for cycling. I will purchase salifert test kits for Mg, Ca, and alk for daily/weekly testing after cycling. I already have a Premium Aquatics Salinity Refractometer as well as an older style hygrometer for SG testing. I was waiting until just before putting water in the tank to purchase test kits due to their chemical expiration.

 

[nivram]

New Tank - Test Kits

You may want to "cook" your dry rock to remove any bound up phosphates from the rock. You'd do this prior to placing them in the tank. An easy way to determine a need for this is to let rocks sit in ro water for a couple days to a week. Then test for phosphates. If high phosphates, you can use lanthanum chloride to precipitate the po4.

Other than that, take your time and be patient. Many people believe there is an algae cycle in addition to the bacterial cycle.