help with test kit

[mcatgt]

i am starting a reef tank. is there a good starter test kit i can get. i actually bought the red sea marine lab test kit. i think i should have bought the red sea reef test kit. should i bring this back and get the reef lab test kit? please advise

 

[cdeakle]

Forget a starter kit. If I were you I would order quick dip test strips from marinedepot.com

Reasonably priced and easy to determine readings.

 

[mcatgt]

thanks, i think i will...should have done that in the first place.

 

[Anonymous]

Been there, done that..

I'll only ever go Salifert, LaMotte or SeaChem from now on...

 

[Mikef1]

I second that

 

[OD-UNICRON]

Good thing I did not open a new topic, thank god for the search engine. :wink:
well I have Hagen full test kit, it only have ammonia, nitrate, iron, ph low range and high, calcium, phosphate and KH. Is there a better test kit out there that come with more like iodine, magnesium, strontium and molybdenum, it here a kit out there that is easy(easyer than seaqem products) with all the name that I mention in one set?
please tell what brand and easyes one I could get.

 

[Anonymous]

I have found Salifert test kits to be precise, accurate and easy to use. The ones I own are the nitrate, phosphate, pH, calcium and alkalinity (although I now have a pH probe cuz I like gadgets).

 

[JennM]

I have used the Red Sea kits, they are reasonably accurate. The Marine Lab is good to start with, tests for pH, Alk, Ammonia Nitrite, Nitrate. You need to have these.

Salifert tests are among the better ones but they don't make a 'master test kit' you have to buy individual tests.

Seachem is what I use - I've compared Red Sea results to Seachem and they are consistent.

I don't use or recommend Hagen tests - had shoddy results with them, so I quit using them, and have never sold them.

You can get extra kits for, Strontium, Magnesium etc., but IMO they really aren't necessary.

I would get a Seachem Calcium test if you're keeping a reef. They are pricey but you get a LOT of tests and the tests are accurate.

Seachem tests come with a reference solution, so if you are in doubt about your results, you can test the reference solution to calibrate the test.

I'd keep the Red Sea test and use it, but when you need more tests, I'd consider switching to Seachem or Salifert.

HTH

Jenn

 

[Anonymous]

Jeez, I thought I'd have something to add, but not after Jenn's post!

 

[Anonymous]

I like the salifert. Some places will bundle the test for you. Here is an example.

http://www.marinedepot.com/a_tk_sf.asp?CartId=

 

[JennM]

Hmmm lots of out of stock. I don't like that about Salifert, they can be hard to get at times. Seachem is always available. They are an American company too... right here in GA, for anyone who cares

Jenn

 

[OD-UNICRON]

Wazzel, thanks buddy, thats all I needed.
reason is that I wanted the other test(iodine, magnesium, strontium and molybdenum) I just to make sure this are not depleted in my tank, and if it is, then I want to make sure I dont over dose, I dont like to put additive blindly.

 

[Anonymous]

Another thumbs up for Sea Chem.

 

[OD-UNICRON]

Another thumbs up for Sea Chem.

eek, I have one test of iodine, I dont like that test because it required destilided water.

 

[Anonymous]

For titration, or as part of the test? Either way, in my honest opinion, it's worth it. You're right, it's not a good thing to dose blindly.