Test Kit Recommendations

[hoho19]

Hi all!

I'm about 2 or so weeks from getting my tank up and running. The one thing on my list left to get that is not living is a test kit.

I'm looking for some recommendations on test kits. What do you guys use and how easy/PITA (pain in the arse) are they to use. When you run out of your current test kit what test kit would you buy?

Also what should a good test kit contain in the way of tests? PH/NH3/NO2/NO3/Alk???? anything else I should test for? I will be splurging on a refractometer for salinity since I won this awesome RO/DI unit! :-D

Thanks guys (and gals)!

[GaryP]

Your list is pretty good. I would add calcium and magnesium to it.

Get the Seatest 4 in 1 kit for pH, ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite.

Alkalinity - Salifert

Calcium & Magnesium - Salifert or Seachem. I like the Seachem kits because you can get more tests from them. Other than that they are similar. The Seachem kit also has a calibration standard in case you are second guessing your results.

[jap1]

Congrats on the RO/DI! I have been using that cheap-o Saltwater Master Test Kit from Petsmart and it seems to be ok for now, but I can't vouch for it's accuracy. I've been told that Salifert tests are some of the best. They are pricey though.

[MikeyBoy]

Salifert all the way IMO.........I also test iodide in a Salifert kit.........
Oh, and I have 3-4 salifert kits for sale, barely used if you want to buy them......tearing down tank.

[hoho19]

I might just take you up on that offer..I'll PM you.


Salifert all the way IMO.........I also test iodide in a Salifert kit.........
Oh, and I have 3-4 salifert kits for sale, barely used if you want to buy them......tearing down tank.

[tony]

Congrats on the RO/DI! I have been using that cheap-o Saltwater Master Test Kit from Petsmart and it seems to be ok for now, but I can't vouch for it's accuracy.


after a few recomendations i tried that same test kit. seems dead on for me and very simple to use and much easier to find than salifert.

tough to beat for $20

[hoho19]

I might just go with one of those because my wife works at bainfield pet hospital and gets a 15% discount at Petsmart. I'll add some select tests to it and that sounds like a good combo.

Thanks



Congrats on the RO/DI! I have been using that cheap-o Saltwater Master Test Kit from Petsmart and it seems to be ok for now, but I can't vouch for it's accuracy.


after a few recomendations i tried that same test kit. seems dead on for me and very simple to use and much easier to find than salifert.

tough to beat for $20

[GaryP]

Depends on how you figure that out. If you don't get reliable results from a kit and you end up buying a reliable one, did you save any money?

The problem with some of the less expensive kits is that they give you a result that says high, medium, or low. The question is, compared to what? A FO tank, an SPS tank, a softy tank? They all have different requirements. There are no numerical results that tell you where you need to be, or if you are at your goal. Furthermore, without a numerical value, you have no idea how much additive to get you to the levels you are trying to maintian.

[Richard]

Get the Seatest 4 in 1 kit for pH, ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite.


Just as an FYI, I'm told that line (seatest & fastest) is soon to be discontinued so it won't be too long before you can't get refills for them. EPA regs are making it non profitable for them to continue making them is what I have been told.

[dwdenny]

Are they not going to make the entire test or just the refills? IF so wow those salifert tests are going to go sky high or it could be the opposite could make them go down but I think the later will happen personally.

[Richard]

I was told the whole line (kits and refills) are going bye bye.