What Brand test kit

[kstuart]

What brand test kit should i get for cycling a tank?

[MichaelD]

Salifert, best test kits around IMO. Just a bit expensive

[mystikdragon7]

Salifert I think are the best.

[Reefugee]

Having a chemistry background, I would say by far, Salifert is the most accurate kit you can get. Some of the chemical test strip are still useless for any accuracy. For example, the PH test are useless. The only thing that comes close is a PH meter. I think the PO4 kit is too subjective. It can tell you whether you have 0 ppm. But it's hard to say if you have .1 or .25 since the color are so similiar. But if you were to get any test kit - use salifert. OH BTW - YOU can use use cheap test kits to get an estimate of how well your tank is doing.

Minh

[tanker]

Originally posted by MichaelD
Salifert, best test kits around IMO. Just a bit expensive

This is what I use.

[kstuart]

should i get the complete kit or just certain tests? if so what ones?

[spidey07]

If it is a reef tank you will need at a minimum.

Calcium
Alkalinity
Phosphate
Nitrate
PH (although if you really get into this hobby you'll eventually get an electronic one)

Very helpful and recommended:
Ammonia is helpful (in case you see problems)
Magnesium

[masson]

You need ammonia before ca and po4.

[spidey07]

Originally posted by masson
You need ammonia before ca and po4.
doh!

Missed the part about "cycling"

Please use my post for ongoing maintenance only - NOT cycling. I'll edit.

-edit-
past the 60 minute edit limit.