What test kits should I get?

[Reef_Monkey]

I am going to order a couple test kits for nitrates, nitrites, ammonia, etc. I used the Tetra Test kits, what does eveybody else use or recommend?
(and maybe a link where to order them)

55 Gal FOWLR

Thanks!!

 

[CAT]

Not sure about the tetra kits. Many people like Salifert. I use Seachem kits and like them because they have a reference sample to verify the kit with. I also like Seachem's 'Ammonia Alert', it's a yellow disc that stays in the tank - it will change color if you have an ammonia spike.

HTH

 

[Adrian]

I like saliferts Ca and alk kits, and use tetra for nitrates, ammonia, and nitrites, they are inexpensive tests, and may not be extremely accurate, but IMO any amount of the above is too much, and the tetras kits are accurate enough to tell me whether or not their concentrations are elevated. HTH

 

[Anonymous]

I have just switched from Aquarium Pharm kits to Hagen for my normal tests and Lamotts for Alk

Today is the first new test day, speaking of which, I got to get busy!

Bryan

 

[Anonymous]

I use Aquarium Pharm. for nitrites, ect. and Red Sea for Ca....I hear Salifert is good but hard to come by?? I think im gonna try Salifert next time i go to the LFS


8)

 

[Anonymous]

SeaChem and Salifert are what I recommend for a decent balance of quality/consistency and pricing. However, LaMotte is very good quality (with a price to match). As far as what specific tests you should get:
ammonia
nitrite
nitrate
pH

Then, depending on budget, source water, and what you're planning on keeping I would add:
phosphate
alkalinity/hardness
calcium

A good quality hydrometer or refractometer should be considered part of a good test kit, I hate swing-arm types myself, though others like them just fine.

I also absolutely LOVED having an O2 test, I cannot for the life of me remember the brand, but my favorite (and the only reliable manner in which to test, AFAIK) used little vacuum vials. I would submerge it in the sample (which I harvested mid-tank, with empty container submerged til at level, then opened, then closed under water), then break the vial, it would suck in the water and give me my saturation levels. When I first used I didn't think it could really give me any "variety" of reading, but it did. I liked it for sumpless systems and displays that were a bit tightly sealed with regards to canopies, etc. Nowadays I see little need for an O2 test, except for fun (especially when observing the difference in saturation of water of different temps).

 

[Anonymous]

If this is for a FOWLR, the only thing I would get is a nitrate test kit and a hydrometer and thermometer. There's really no need to test for anything else, as long as you let your tank properly cycle and don't overstock. Fish will do just fine at a wide range of salinities and temps (assuming they are properly acclimated) and won't be very severely affected by nitrate until it's literally off the chart, so you don't really need to spend the extra money on more accurate test kits, refractometers, etc.

Having said that, I've found Salifert test kits to be very accurate and fairly cheap. I got mine at www.premiumaquatics.com
A Pinpoint pH monitor is a great addition to any reef tank, as is a good refractometer. I use a Radio Shack digital thermometer with waterproof probe (around $14) to monitor temperature.