important test kit

[saltysteven]

what is the most important test that needs to be very precise in its readings to get when checking a basic saltwater set up? id like to have some really nice test kits but they are very expensive so i want to start collecting them slowly. so which would be the most important first one for you?

[TOURKID]

a refractometer (reads the salt in the water.. salinity)

then alkalinity

then calcium

but only if you plan on having a reef.

nitrate and ammonnia test might be nice if you are still cycling.

[kau_cinta_ku]

alk., and cal. kinda go together and mag. also nitrates those are the only things I test for anymore but cal. and alk. are the main ones I use and a refractometer

[kevin2000]

Nothing we do in this hobby requires "precise" - what you want is consistent reasonable results provided with the least cost possible.

[SuperNerd]

A somewhat inexpensive test kit that is used is API's alkalinity test kit.

[fio1022]

I'm surprised no one mentioned PH.#1 in my opinion.I have a monitor and tests.
Not as important as mentioned above but PO4 is another good one to have.

[kau_cinta_ku]

well I have a pH monitor but kinda find it usless if your alk. and cal. are good then your pH should be good.

[kevin2000]

I think PH testing is good only to learn how the darn thing works .. once you know and can insure you have adequate alkalinity and aeration of the tank you can toss/sell the PH monitor. As far as phosphate testing .. sounds great on the surface until you see a phosphate ridden tank filled with algae that reads zero phosphate - save you money.

[USC-fan]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11099084#post11099084 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by saltysteven
what is the most important test that needs to be very precise in its readings to get when checking a basic saltwater set up? id like to have some really nice test kits but they are very expensive so i want to start collecting them slowly. so which would be the most important first one for you? i use http://aquariumwatertesting.com/ and it cost $22.50 per month.

Easy as filling 2 bottles with water and putting it in the mail box. Take about 2 days to get the results. They test for everything important.

[fio1022]

ouch !

[saltysteven]

how about nitrite? is the nitrate tested more?
i have :
CA salfert
ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, phosphate- API
refractometer
Pinpiont probe for PH

[Playa-1]

A refractometer is 1st choice.
API's test kit for Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, PH
Then your ready to get started.

[saltysteven]

i have all of those-
what im asking is i have credit at hach and id like to get a nice test kit aside from the ones i have, except for nitrate and nitrite.
i was looking on either up grading my nitrite or nitrate or getting aanother kit-
so what whould you get?

[Playa-1]

Calcium, magnesium, phosphate

[saltysteven]

i think im looking more at alk. and nitrate (1-10)
hmmmm?

[kau_cinta_ku]

alk if you have corals (LPS, or SPS)

[wizzbane15]

You cuold probably get better answers if we knew what kind of tank you had and what you had in it. fish only tanks need only certain test kits and you can spend you money to get good ones. reef tanks need other specialized test kits.

[saltysteven]

i guess i should have mentioned that-
i plan on doing fish and coral
i keep mentioning nitrate because i was told that it was good to have a very precise test kit that will give you readings from 1-10.
so i thought im supposed to have a very good nitrate test kit

[kau_cinta_ku]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11099786#post11099786 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by saltysteven
how about nitrite? is the nitrate tested more?
i have :
CA salfert
ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, phosphate- API
refractometer
Pinpiont probe for PH

you mean you want a better nitrate kit? I will agree a kit that will read from 1-10 would be a good choice. as API only goes by 10's

[wizzbane15]

A low range Nitrate kit is a good choice no matter what you plan on keeping. If you have corals I would also invest in an calcium, alk, and magnesium kit too. These three are probaly the most important for a reef style tank.

[saltysteven]

cool- guys thanx!
i think i will get that nitrate but also the others in the near future as right now i dont have any corals. and just so im not confused the nitrite isnt as important, right? i know it turns into nitrate then ammonia but i want to focus more on the nitrate s im guessing

[kau_cinta_ku]

nitrite isn't really toxic in SW tanks

[saltysteven]

k well thanx for the help guys- ill be using my credit to get a nitrate kit from hach. they have a really nice disc kit that is easy to use and shows (1-10) of nitrates. They are really good even though i was disappointed when i got my saltwater kit. it turned out to be not the one in the picture due to a web design error. they accidently put the $580 kits picture up instead. but they were really nice when i called them and said that i could keep the kit free of charge and would have that same amount in credit. so im getting the nitrate kit. i wish they sent me the other kit for their mistake- Now that would ve made my week!

[phenom5]

A somewhat inexpensive test kit that is used is API's alkalinity test kit

how do these compare to salifert? do they use titrations? or is it one of those test kits where you try and match the color to one of those card deals?

my salifert Ca & Alk kits are starting to run low, and i'd love to find something that is comparable, but a little easier on the wallet.

[saltysteven]

api is matching the card but from what ive seen and heard they are really good from the money