Test kits

[KWN80]

Great sight first of all. I have been lurking and learning all I can while my tank is cycling. I have a 105g that Im going to setup as a reef tank and I have been taking my water to the LFS and Ive decided its time to get my own test kit. I just wanted to get some suggestions on what I should get. Im not planning on getting to technical just yet but I would like to know what the basics are I need to be testing and if there are any kits out there I need to avoid.

[Samper]

I like Salifert kits personally
but now that I've been doing this for a while I only test a few things and have purchased some probes and what not here and there.

I monitor
SG
Temp
Ph
Ca
Alk

that's all right now.

[Steven Pro]

Salinity - I prefer a refractometer to a hydrometer.
You should also definitely get test kits for pH, alkalinity, and calcium. And, it would be nice to also have ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate, and magnesium. I use Salifert test kits myself, but have used Seachem in the past (particularly for pH, alkalinity, and calcium) without complaint.

[BubbaWPB]

If you can afford gadgets, the refractometer and pH probe are extremely useful and more accurate than other methods for salinity and pH. I agree with the recommended tests above.

[My2heartboys]

Great sight first of all. I have been lurking and learning all I can while my tank is cycling. I have a 105g that Im going to setup as a reef tank and I have been taking my water to the LFS and Ive decided its time to get my own test kit. I just wanted to get some suggestions on what I should get. Im not planning on getting to technical just yet but I would like to know what the basics are I need to be testing and if there are any kits out there I need to avoid.

__________________________________________________ ______

Start by monitoring ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, SG, temp, and pH on at least an every other day basis. Don't forget to write down the results as this will help you begin to form a picture of what your tank is doing.

When you start adding corals-then start testing alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium. Again--to begin with on at least an every other day basis so that you can begin to get a feel for what your tank normally runs.

Below is a good chart to give you an idea of what needs to be tested and when. The only other thing I would add is that ammonia and nitrite tests should be performed on a regular basis (when you know what the results will be) so that if it comes up unusual you can catch a problem before it gets out of hand.

http://saltaquarium.about.com/librar...tchartreef.htm

Hope this helps.

Anne