Test kit help

[pkstylez]

Ok guys lookijng for some help here. What is the best affordable way to monitor my water for a reef tank. Nitrates, trites, mag, alk ph calcium etc. I see people posting readings to the decimal and test strips don't seem to be that accurate. With spending hundreds of dollars what do you guys reccomend?

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[emilese]

For ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates, I've used the API test kits as they were the most affordable (for me) and were sufficient enough.

For calcium, magnesium, and alkalinity, the Red Sea test kits are good. Although, I am getting the Hanna checkers soon as I've heard good things about them and I would like more accuracy. The apex monitors my PH.

 

[mcgyvr]

Do you have a tank with corals or fish only?
No need to test for alk/cal/mag in a fish only tank
No need to test for ammonia or nitrites post cycle

I'm a big fan of a nyos nitrate test kit as I find it much easier to read than all others..

Red sea IMO is just the test kits to get for all others that you need though..

 

[Reefiez]

ammonia, nitrite, PH (high range) i use API (not too accurate, but good enough and easy test procedure)

Ca, KH, Mg Salifert, easier to read than red sea for me.

Nitrates red sea is pretty good, but takes a longggg time, salifert is also good.

Phosphates with Hanna checker (a bit pricey). the regular colorimetric test kits are just too hard to read accurately at low ranges.

salinity just a refractometer, but remember to calibrate it often. if you could, save up for a milwaukee digital refractometer, that has been a super time saver for me.

 

[Sk8r]

I use Salifert for alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, the 3 you need weekly. Precise, fast, decimal output. Also: nitrate, test monthly unless you have a problem. Color match on that one. Also Salifert. Having an ammonia test is good, but honestly, after you've been at it a while, and if you've been doing those other tests faithfully, that test is not going to be too useful.

 

[oldhead]

Do you have a tank with corals or fish only?
No need to test for alk/cal/mag in a fish only tank
No need to test for ammonia or nitrites post cycle

I'm a big fan of a nyos nitrate test kit as I find it much easier to read than all others..

Red sea IMO is just the test kits to get for all others that you need though..

I don't agree with not testing for alk/cal/mag with a fish only tank. You still need stability with those for fish only.

 

[pkstylez]

Do you have a tank with corals or fish only?
No need to test for alk/cal/mag in a fish only tank
No need to test for ammonia or nitrites post cycle

I'm a big fan of a nyos nitrate test kit as I find it much easier to read than all others..

Red sea IMO is just the test kits to get for all others that you need though..

Reef with fish

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[pkstylez]

I use Salifert for alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, the 3 you need weekly. Precise, fast, decimal output. Also: nitrate, test monthly unless you have a problem. Color match on that one. Also Salifert. Having an ammonia test is good, but honestly, after you've been at it a while, and if you've been doing those other tests faithfully, that test is not going to be too useful.

Thank you

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[JenkinsThePole]

+1 for the Salifert test kits they seem to work just fine for the price. I've only used API and Salifert but I much prefer Salifert. They seem to provide a more accurate test. Get comfortable with titrations lol.

 

[Sstanley223]

Salifert