Test kits

[arawona1964]

I am about to start cycling my tank now it’s full what company make the best test kits I’ll eventually go digital but for now liquid test kits would you suggest

Thanks

 

[dedragon]

salifert and red sea pro are my go tos. nitrate and phosphate i use hanna checkers because the color scale tests are awful to try and interpret. honestly i wouldnt even get ammonia or nitrate for cycling at this point as either fritzyme 9 (used in higher dosage) or just live rock are pretty much an instant cycle. as long as you dont try and put too much in there at once i havent ever had an issue.
since you are newer and havent cycled before an ammonia test kit will give you peace of mind, but if you are patient i dont find it necessary in 2026

 

[dedragon]

if possible go with live rock or use some rock from a seasoned reefer for a cycle and it is so mich more beneficial than dry rock and bottled bac

 

[arawona1964]

if possible go with live rock or use some rock from a seasoned reefer for a cycle and it is so mich more beneficial than dry rock and bottled bac

Yeah but I’ve already gone dry rock live sand so will
Prob have to go bottled start and sit it out which I’m more than prepared to do I’ve kept rebrands before just good to get an up to date opinion appreciate your help

 

[arawona1964]

Oh and natural sea water

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

There's no single brand of kit that I would recommend. Different brands make different kits, and bear in mind that some that will be recommended by an LFS have limited utility (say, nitrite).

Right now you need an ammonia kit, but a simple one is adequate. API, for example.

Next is an alk kit. Salifert is OK for that, as is the Hanna. I use a diy titration, but if you do not have a pH meter, I'd hold off on that.

I do not think there is any rush to get calcium, and I do not recommend getting magnesium as they are too often inaccurate.

Hanna is good for nitrate and phosphate.

 

[CrewePD210]

I splurged on this, and can honestly say I was happy i did. Hanna Marine Master. I know spectrometers are not the ideal, but I have a hard time with dealing with the salifert titrations, and if you cross check every so often with other test kits, it has worked out well for me. The app is right nice and useful as well. I caught this on sale for like $120.00 off. The reagents were a little short shelfed, but I'll go through them before they expire with 2 tanks.