what is the best test kit

[modf1000]

what is the best test kit for a reef tank?

what should i be testing for?

people tell me you should be testing for everything like ammonia,kh,nitrate,nitrite,calcium,phosphate,alkalinity,iodine,magnesium,dissolved oxegen, and ph is this true? do i really have to test for all of this stuff?

thanks

 

[duke62]

yes..buy the best test kits u can afford.salifert,elos or even now red sea

 

[modf1000]

out of all 3 which is the best?

 

[Brando457]

Ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, magnesium, ph - salf

Alk, calcium, phosphate - Hanna handheld monitors


Sent from my iPhone using Reefs

 

[smoq]

My vote: Elos for calcium,magnesium,amonia
Salifert for alkalinity and calcium (I find the accuracy in par with Elos)
ph meter for pH- I use American pinpoint. Monitoring ph at constant rate gives you first alarm if something's wrong in the tank
Hanna phosphate meter for phosphates- simply because reading color charts in any standard test kits is really hard

The most important for the well-being of your reef are IMO ph meter, alkalinity test (especially for sps dominated tank) and phosphates, with ammonia (especially in new tanks), calcium and magnesium next.

 

[charliethetuna88]

The best from my experience is elos but some kits take kinda long torso the test and has multiple steps they are very accurate I feel .I also like.sAlifert I use salifert for alk ,cal,nitrAte,.for phosphate Def use the Hannah checker the liquid Reg test kits don't work well in my option mag I use elos I find it more acura

 

[JARRETT SHARK]

salifert is easy imo

 

[gatojebv]

So many tests may seem overwhelming but lets divide them into more digestable groups to make sure you concentrate on what you need as you advance to next levels into reefing.

For LPS and fish :

1.- If your tank is new your levels of ammonia and nitrite should be zero. part of the cycling as you should already know. Nitrate levels should be zero but 10ppm will not be really bad for a new tank. Always striving for zero with a good skimmer, RO/DI water changes and careful feeding. This will should also keep phosphates in check.

2.-As you tank is getting established and maturing you will be concentrating in monitoring for Alk and PH levels more than ammonia or others in point 1. Your corals or fish should be fine at this stage if all these levels are in check including: Alk 7dkh - 9dkh, PH from 7.8 - 8.4.

Water changes should be able to supply adequate levels of Ca, Mag and trace elements etc.. for soft corals. I do not think is critical to test for them yet. Also If at this stage algea is present then your levels of phosphates are high. Any phosphate tests will just confirm it. Use a GFO reactor and reduce you feeding.

For SPS

3.-You need to improve water quality and monitor more relevant elements that SPS require to strive. Then you need to test for Ca, Mag, Phosphates and Trace elements . I test for Ca, Mag, Phosphates once a month. My Calcium Reactor provides the rest of the trace elements in proportion so I never test for them.

At this stage your SPS will require Cal and Mag to grow and will require very minimum to no phosphates to look vibrant and colorful as phosphates promote browning and algea. You should keep in mind that point 1 and 2 also apply here and they should be kept in check and as stable as possible.