Test Kits

[Michelle L]

I've always kept FO systems, so I've never had a need for a very detailed test kit. With our venture into reefing, I'll need higher quality tests. (I hope to keep exclusively LPS, depending on how things go with my system.)

What brand of kit do you use, and why did you choose that brand?

Thanks.

[ChemE]

I use this http://a1272.g.akamai.net/7/1272/1121/20051122180911/www.drsfostersmith.com/images/Categoryimages/normal/p_907026_FS26697D.jpg

But I think next time around I'm going to go Salifert since they are more accurate and easier to read.

[Billybeau1]

I use Salifert for everything except ph. A good ph monitor is the way to go there. :)

If your reefing, you'll at least want calcium, alkalinity and magnesium. A Po4 kit wouldnt hurt and of course the big three Ammonia, nitrite and nitrate.

[hcs3]

chances are your LFS will test your water for free. mine does, and thus i can't even consider spending money on test kits.

[Benny Z]

are you kidding me?

[brad23]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7625192#post7625192 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ChemE
I use this http://a1272.g.akamai.net/7/1272/1121/20051122180911/www.drsfostersmith.com/images/Categoryimages/normal/p_907026_FS26697D.jpg

But I think next time around I'm going to go Salifert since they are more accurate and easier to read.

Those are junk and not very accurate.

[ChemE]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7625350#post7625350 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by brad23
Those are junk and not very accurate.

They may not be accurate but they are precise.

[tcottle]

Salifert here. I test for Magnesium (Mg), Alkalinity (KH), and Calcium (Ca). The next time that I order I will pick up a Nitrate (NO3) test kit as well. The Salifert test kits are economical and easy to use. I see no need to have tests kits for ammonia or nitrite (after the tank has cycled) - your livestock will let you know if you are having problems

[ChemE]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7626636#post7626636 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tcottle
...I see no need to have tests kits for ammonia or nitrite (after the tank has cycled) - your livestock will let you know if you are having problems

I agree completely. Ammonia and nitrite should be a non-issue in a cycled tank.

[RV8tor]

Put me down for salifert as well, good stuff. I tried seachem and had nothing but problems. IMO, anything that you read against a color chart is very subject to opion and asuming you are not color blind.

[Michelle L]

Looks like Salifert is the winner here. I had read good things about them, but wanted to know what people here had to say on the subject.

Thanks everyone for your input. I plan on picking up a PH monitor here in the next couple of weeks because it just seems practical, and I also appreciate the tips on which other test kits I will need the most.

The baby (our tank) has arrived. It doesn't look like much now, but here I am with it and a cheesy grin. It's slowly being filled with R/O and then the fun really begins.....here is me next to it and also after the pendants were hung. Still gotta hide the wires somehow. Sorry the room still looks messy.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/111064Me___tank.jpg
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/111064Lights_hung.jpg

[hcs3]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7625283#post7625283 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Benny Z
are you kidding me?

no. i haven't owned a test kit of any flavor since about the 1980's. does B/N stores not test for free?

[Billybeau1]

Good luck Michelle. Take your time and do it right. ;)

[Benny Z]

our stores test the typical ammo/trite/trate/ph, but i highly doubt they test mag, calc, or alk. i guess i've never asked.

i don't understand how you can balance a system's needs in the early stages without testing at least calc and alk daily until you get things dialed in. daily trips to the lfs even if they did test for those would be inconvenient at best.

good luck michelle - looks good!

[hcs3]

truthfully, benny, i don't even have the LFS test my water. i just recommended it as a possible option for others. personally, i just use the force ;)

[tcottle]

I thought that it was a Jedi mind trick! :strooper:

[philagothos]

If I were using someone else's money I would use LaMotte. As it is, I go with Salifert.

[Michelle L]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7627366#post7627366 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Billybeau1
Good luck Michelle. Take your time and do it right. ;)

Thanks to all....and Billybeau1, one thing I can say with confidence is that I am the patience queen once I get a system up and going. I take my sweet time stocking...first for the health of the animals, second because I enjoy drawing out the fun of adding livestock, and third because it's expensive!! :D

[lglamb]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7627168#post7627168 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Michelle L


The baby (our tank) has arrived.




Lookin' good!

Oh, and the tank looks nice, too.


:)
Lowell

[LegoZ81]

looks good! glad it's home!

[Michelle L]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7628700#post7628700 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lglamb
Lookin' good!

Oh, and the tank looks nice, too.


:)
Lowell

Thanks Lowell. I was having a down-in-the-dumps moment and you gave me a laugh.

And to everyone else, thanks to you guys too. Be ready for a deluge of empty tank pictures as it progresses, just because I want to share and none of my co-workers or friends understand my exitement....

[brad23]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7634344#post7634344 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Michelle L
Thanks Lowell. I was having a down-in-the-dumps moment and you gave me a laugh.

And to everyone else, thanks to you guys too. Be ready for a deluge of empty tank pictures as it progresses, just because I want to share and none of my co-workers or friends understand my exitement....

I know how that feels