Acceptable Entry Level Test Kits

[kwjones]

I'm jumping back into the hobby after an almost 15 year break. Years ago there was a limited number of test kits available, and people had opinions on which brands offered the most accurate measurements. Back when I first started I just had a simple API Saltwater Master kit...not super accurate at all, but it got me through the basics for a FOWLR. I think I used a Seachem Silicate test when I was trying to troubleshoot my diatom issue before I knew what an RO/DI filter was. My well water was off the scale of that test. I knew some people that only used LaMotte Tests which were always out of my price range. Things like Hannah checkers didn't exist, so what's the general consensus now for someone getting back into the hobby?

What I plan on testing...
Tank setup: Ammonia, Nitrate, pH
Before adding coral: Ca, Alk, Phosphate, Magnesium
Fish QT: Copper

Beyond that, what "should" I be testing for?

 

[Dan_P]

I'm jumping back into the hobby after an almost 15 year break. Years ago there was a limited number of test kits available, and people had opinions on which brands offered the most accurate measurements. Back when I first started I just had a simple API Saltwater Master kit...not super accurate at all, but it got me through the basics for a FOWLR. I think I used a Seachem Silicate test when I was trying to troubleshoot my diatom issue before I knew what an RO/DI filter was. My well water was off the scale of that test. I knew some people that only used LaMotte Tests which were always out of my price range. Things like Hannah checkers didn't exist, so what's the general consensus now for someone getting back into the hobby?

What I plan on testing...
Tank setup: Ammonia, Nitrate, pH
Before adding coral: Ca, Alk, Phosphate, Magnesium
Fish QT: Copper

Beyond that, what "should" I be testing for?

Welcome back!


Are you going fish only again?

 

[kwjones]

Welcome back!


Are you going fish only again?

No, I'm planning on an LPS tank this time.

 

[Fish Fan]

I think most here at Reef2Reef would steer you away from the API test kits, but they're not *horrible*. Use them to observe trends, not as a precision instrument. I think the biggest negative I see is the ammonia test can always look like it's reading 0.25 ppm when it's likely the ammonia is very low to zero.

I'd avoid test strips of any kind, even if they say they are for aquarium.

I think most would suggest the test by Salifert, they are inexpensive, easy to use and read, and trusted here.

I think Nyos is popular for nitrates.

Many of the Hanna Checkers are well regarded, though some like their calcium test is kind of a pain to use.

I hope that helps; good luck with your tank!

 

[kwjones]

Thanks. Do people really still try using test strips? Those were garbage more than a decade ago...hard to believe they're still around. Yeah, I hated that API test kit.

I'm leaning towards Hannah checkers for Alk, Phosphates, and copper for sure.

Simple, hard to mess up, and easy to read is the name of the game. I'm still open to a good calcium test as I'm planning on using a 2 part eventually.

I'll check out the Nyos Nitrate test.

 

[Fish Fan]

Thanks. Do people really still try using test strips? Those were garbage more than a decade ago...hard to believe they're still around. Yeah, I hated that API test kit.

Yes, people still try to use the strips, believe it or not :confused:

 

[riche]

I dip my finger in the water, shake it 3 times and take a wild guess lol

In all seriousness, I have been told Hanna checkers and salfriet are the go to testers

 

[Shirak]

Salifert for Ca is fine but not needed until you have the tank stocked with stony coral.

Don't bother with ammonia or pH

Hanna Alk, ultra low range PO4, high range NO3 and you will be good for a while

 

[KrisReef]

I'm jumping back into the hobby

Welcome back

What I plan on testing...
Tank setup: Ammonia, Nitrate, pH

I would skip Ammonia and pH testing on set up and for LPS purposes.

The use of nitrate on set up, it can demonstrate that the tank is processing ammonia, and also be used for indicating when water changes are desirable if. NO3 is elevated.

Down the road if the tank is healthy you may want to add nitrate if the tank is eating it up towards zero.

Before adding coral: Ca, Alk, Phosphate, Magnesium

I like Hanna Checkers for Alk & phosphate ( P ultra low checker) and use these meters fairly often .

Mg, salifert is good enough. If you are doing water changes Mg may not needed to be considered, (salt mix is good enough) and either Red Sea or Salifert can be used to verify that it’s ok.

 

[kwjones]

Cool. So why not test pH? I know it changes through the seasons and depending on light schedule.

The ammonia test is probably going to be used on the fish qt more than anything.

 

[KrisReef]

Cool. So why not test pH? I know it changes through the seasons and depending on light schedule.

The ammonia test is probably going to be used on the fish qt more than anything.

Unless you are trying to grow sps the pH of the tank is not super critical for LPs or fishes. If it’s low, trying to raise it can be a challenge and if you don’t measure it I have not seen a situation where LPs corals or fishes suffered because the pH was a problem. Salinity, and a good ATO I would suggest is a much more important parameter and it’s easier to adjust and keep stable.

 

[pgr7]

I've found myself wanting to check more consistent since getting Hannah meters and will continue to (Phosphates and Nitrate) just due to ease of use. Combined with a smart stir,makes it pretty fun to test water honestly.

 

[PotatoPig]

What I plan on testing...
Tank setup: Ammonia, Nitrate, pH
Before adding coral: Ca, Alk, Phosphate, Magnesium
Fish QT: Copper

Ammonia: Almost any will do. You’ll only use these once, and really you’re tracking trends. API is fine as long as you remember it sometimes gives a false 0.25 reading when the cycle is complete.

Calcium, Nitrate and Alk: Salifert is cheap, easy and accurate enough.

Magnesium: My understanding is they’re all kinda bad.

Phosphate and Copper: Hanna. The color tests for these, especially copper, are difficult to read and/or don’t have good resolution at the concentrations you’ll be concerned about.

 

[gbroadbridge]

I'm jumping back into the hobby after an almost 15 year break. Years ago there was a limited number of test kits available, and people had opinions on which brands offered the most accurate measurements. Back when I first started I just had a simple API Saltwater Master kit...not super accurate at all, but it got me through the basics for a FOWLR. I think I used a Seachem Silicate test when I was trying to troubleshoot my diatom issue before I knew what an RO/DI filter was. My well water was off the scale of that test. I knew some people that only used LaMotte Tests which were always out of my price range. Things like Hannah checkers didn't exist, so what's the general consensus now for someone getting back into the hobby?

What I plan on testing...
Tank setup: Ammonia, Nitrate, pH
Before adding coral: Ca, Alk, Phosphate, Magnesium
Fish QT: Copper

Beyond that, what "should" I be testing for?

I've been through all the test kits over the years and these days have gone back to Salifert for everything except Phosphate.

I sold all the other Hanna checkers.

You can of course use Hanna checkers if you don't mind the on going cost of expensive reagents - however they are no more accurate than the Salifert. Easier to use yes, but no more accurate and they have the overhead of fussy cuvettes that need to be kept very clean.

 

[KrisReef]

Forgot to give a huge shout out to API calcium. It’s good enough and easier to use then the Hanna, with similar results if you can keep track of your drop counts. Best in value, sorry Hanna

Mt LFS bud gave me the Hanna so I use it a couple grimes (times, danggedcspellcheckr, I hate B Gates:eek::D) each year to make sure the calcium reactor is still functioning in sync with the Alk, that I measure fairly regularly.

 

[Dan_P]

What I plan on testing...
Tank setup: Ammonia, Nitrate, pH
Before adding coral: Ca, Alk, Phosphate, Magnesium
Fish QT: Copper

Beyond that, what "should" I be testing for?

If you are a strong believer in knowing “the” number, the Hanna test kits cannot be beat with some exceptions.

The Hanna alkalinity test might not be as accurate or consistent as a titration method. It’s a personal decision here.

The Hanna calcium test might not be as robusr a test as the titration method. It’s a personal call.

A pH meter is probably considered the best method for determining pH.

It has been suggested that we forget about measuring magnesium.

You only need to measure ammonia and nitrite when setting up an aquarium. If you are running a quaranteen tank you may want to perform ammonia tests more often. The Red Sea test might be the way to go. Avoid Salifert because of the potential for a weak color.

Nitrate is not so important that you need to know it very accurately. Hanna is the best here but you will be sucessful with other brands.

Phosphate is usually kept at or below 0.1 ppm, so, the Hanna.test is the way to go.

 

[kwjones]

So no pH needed unless I'm thinking about SPS down the road. I'm good with that.

Magnesium sounds like it may be in the same category? I'm guessing salt mix choice could factor in if it is needed at all with regular water changes.

I'm picking up the tank Saturday. 1st step is to get some citric acid to clean it and some of the equipment that's coming with it and see if anything needs to be replaced. It's going to be a few months before I'm mixing saltwater to fill it and start cycling.

 

[betareef]

The best test you will ever use is your coral's appearance. You'll learn what a happy coral looks like. Then, if any signs of change, a partial water change is the first and best thing to do.

 

[NCsalt]

Salifert for Alk CA and MG. The phosphate and nitrate are hard to read imo. My API Nitrate seems to read the same as Salifert and i have no problems with API PH

 

[PotatoPig]

So no pH needed unless I'm thinking about SPS down the road. I'm good with that.

Magnesium sounds like it may be in the same category? I'm guessing salt mix choice could factor in if it is needed at all with regular water changes.

I'm picking up the tank Saturday. 1st step is to get some citric acid to clean it and some of the equipment that's coming with it and see if anything needs to be replaced. It's going to be a few months before I'm mixing saltwater to fill it and start cycling.

For magnesium - if you’re dosing then the main forum recommendation is to just dose magnesium at a set ratio to your calcium.

Randy’s Magnesium Management

If you’re doing enough water changes to keep calcium up then magnesium is going to be fine.

For LPS it’ll be a while before you have enough growth that you’re going to have issues keeping up without dosing…