Test kit?? Which one to get?

[micielo719]

I currently have a Red Sea Pro Ca,KH,Mg test kit but I am looking for one for nitrite, nitrate, pH and ammonia. Could you tell me which one the best one to get for this would be. Also I'm kind of in a pinch sure I would need something I could probably pick up at Petsmart/Petco in the meantime until I get the better kit ordered. Thank you for your help.

 

[Sk8r]

I just use ordinary test strips for those, because any is bad in my case. I don't track ph at all, only alkalinity.

 

[monkeysee1]

Red Sea is the best you can't beat them!

 

[micielo719]

Thanks guys..Picked up some API test strips for the cycle..

 

[hkgar]

After cycle you may never need to test for Nitrite and Amonia, unless something catastrophic happens. For Nitrates I really like my Red Sea Pro.

 

[andrek787]

Red Sea is the best you can't beat them!

Red Sea is the way to go. I suggest getting the Algae Control and Reef Foundation. You can buy their ammonia and nitrite test kits separately. Tests in Marine Care kit are way less precise then ones in Algae and Foundation.

 

[stiggyallen]

Sorry to gate rash this thread, but I'm getting an already cycled tank tomorrow, and today I bought a Red Sea testing kit for nitrates/ nitrites ammonia, ph, and Kh.
Was this a waste of money? Seeing as the tank is alreDy matured? Or will this kit be a necessity in the future. It cost roughly 80$ I think in US.
Or would I have been better buying separate kits for magnesium and phosphates and stuff like that?

 

[Spar]

Sorry to gate rash this thread, but I'm getting an already cycled tank tomorrow, and today I bought a Red Sea testing kit for nitrates/ nitrites ammonia, ph, and Kh.
Was this a waste of money? Seeing as the tank is alreDy matured? Or will this kit be a necessity in the future. It cost roughly 80$ I think in US.
Or would I have been better buying separate kits for magnesium and phosphates and stuff like that?

you'd save more by doing the separate kits for the essentials. you won't use the nitrite or pH kits since won't matter for you. it is helpful to have the nitrate kit if you don't have something controlling your levels consistently (or you don't know if you might have a nitrate problem). ammonia is helpful to have on hand as well just in case, IME... especially with QT tanks or if you make drastic changes to your DT all at once. $80 seems steep for just the ones you actually need.

I personally use Salifert for Alk, Calc, Mg, NO3; i use Hanna for PO4; i use API for Ammonia. those are the only things I test for.

 

[tennesseebob]

I have been looking at the SERA box...I rather like testing everything, and I definitely like a case and getting everything at once lol

 

[nuxx]

Red Sea Pro for Nitrate.

Salifert for Calc.

Hanna for Alk and P04.

 

[hkgar]

Red Sea Pro for Nitrate.

Salifert for Calc.

Hanna for Alk and P04.

+1
Those are the test kits I have and use. I also use Salifert for Mag.