test kit brands

[Dan49]

Looking to upgrade my test kits as Im about to start dosing kalk in my ato .I think I need to test for calcium ,alkalinity, and dkh. anything else ? My test kits are API .What brand should I be using? I'm am currently dosing with 2 part thanks
Dan

 

[Willistein]

Check out BRS's test kit section. Yes, start with Alkalinity and Calcium. I use Salifert but have been considering the Hanna meters. The Red Sea ones are good too. There is a three pack that includes Mg for $49. I would get a Nitrate test as well.

Phosphate is a little more difficult to measure and a good test is expensive. From what I hear the Hanna meters are OK, but not great. I don't know what to recommend there. I've actually never tested for it.

 

[cardiffgiant]

I really like the Salifert kits. I "regularly" test for Ca, Kh, and Mg. I should test more often than I do and may look into the Hanna kits to see if that gets me testing more frequently.

 

[tmz]

I test and log:
alk 2x per week(salifert),
calcium 1x every 2 weeks( salifert),
magnesium 1x per month(salifert) .
No3 1x every two weeks( salifert or api)

Ph via pinpoint monitor daily or as many times as I glance at it during theday/night. I only log the morning readings but did log to track swing for a while.
Salinity daily via pinpoint monitor
Temperature daily
PO4 daily via hanah colorimeter**
ORP daily via Milwaukee monitor**

** I consider these two personal compulsions ;PO4 is not really needed daily and ORP is probably unnecessary all together for most tanks.

Occasional tests:

Iron, Red Sa
Iodine, Red Sea
Potassium, Red Sea

 

[Firedog1962]

I watched the vidio on BRS and purchased the Hanna meters and found them to be quick and easy