Test Kit Reviews

[customdusty]

I need to order test kits for my first system and I am having a tough time finding detailed reviews of the different brands of test kits.

Can anybody help me out with perhaps a link to a thread or other source where I can read about what people think about all of the diferent choices that are out there?

Thanks!

 

[Billybeau1]

Thats a very controversial topic, but here is my advice.

When just starting out, you want to know when your cycle is complete and your biological filtration is ready to handle the load of tank inhabitants.

At this point, monitoring Ammonia Nitrite and Nitrate is essential. Most hobby grade kits are ok for this but I like API's.

Once you get established, it becomes a little more complicated depending on wha type of tank you are going to have. Fish Only, Fish with live rock, mixed reef or a full blown reef.

Then we can tell you what test kits are recommended for measuring the big three. Calcium, Alkalinity and Magnesium.

Lets not get ahead of ourselves. Get your tank to cycle first, then we can go from there.

Good luck :thumbsup:

 

[Myka]

I agree with the above, but think you should also pick up a pH test kit in your first batch of kits. Personally, I like Salifert for the ammonia, nitrite, and pH. I have a Salifert nitrate kit, but I'm not happy with it...it isn't very easy to read in the really low range like <5ppm. Elos are getting excellent reviews as well as API.

Don't buy Hagen, Aquarium Systems (Instant Ocean), or FasTest kits...

 

[bertoni]

Gee, and my Instant Ocean (FasTest) kits worked well for me.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Test kits are hard to review because it is unexpectedly difficult to make good standards to test them.

 

[bobt2]

red sea are the kits i had major issues with

 

[Boomer]

and my Instant Ocean (FasTest) kits worked well for me and are actually HACH kits in disguise I wonder if he knows who HACH his

 

[Billybeau1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11533482#post11533482 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Boomer
and my Instant Ocean (FasTest) kits worked well for me and are actually HACH kits in disguise I wonder if he knows who HACH his

Howdy partna

 

[Boomer]

Hi Billy :wavehand:

Last post till late this week

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Hi Billy

Last post till late this week

And what a valuable one it was too.

Have a nice trip!

 

[Billybeau1]

:lol: