which testking kit do I use

[craqerjaq]

I know there are a variety of different brands and testing kits etc...all I have with a basic starter kit is the nitrite, pH, and alk...what else should I get and point me in the direction of quality products. thanks

[craqerjaq]

also...how does one make sure that their test readings are accurate. I'm following the instructions with the kits I do have but it seems like there should be more to it.

[howie123]

I like Salifert test kits they seem to be very good as far as accuracy

[Ninong]

Once your tank has settled in, you can get by without ammonia and nitrite test kits as long as you have a nitrate test kit. So you definitely need a nitrate test kit. I used Salifert's nitrate test kit but I probably would have gotten LaMotte's nitrate test kit if it had been available when I ordered my test kits online.

In addition to nitrate, you will need test kits for calcium and alkalinity, and a test kit for magnesium. I used Salifert's magnesium test kit.

For both calcium and alkalinity, I chose LaMotte's test kits. They are a little more expensive than the Salifert test kits. The reagent shelf life is in code on the test kit box. Actually what's coded is not the expiration date but the week and year of manufacture. Then you have to check the chart for each reagent to determine it's shelf life.

I used Salifert's test kits for ammonia (not all that sensitive at lower concentrations), nitrite, nitrate and magnesium. Salifert has a shelf life date printed on the box. I also used other Salifert test kits (iodine, phosphate, boron and others) but you can get by with just calcium, alkalinity, nitrate and magnesium for the time being.

LaMotte's nitrate test kit is probably better than Salifert's but it's also a lot more expensive. Merck's phosphate test kit is better than Salifert's but it's much more expensive. I think it's ninety-five bucks!

Good luck!



P.S. -- Your goal should be: pH 8.0-8.4, calcium 425-475 ppm, alkalinity 8.0-12.0 dKH, nitrate <5.0 ppm, magnesium 1250-1350 ppm, phosphate <0.03 ppm, iodine 0.06 ppm (all forms), strontium 8-9 ppm. If you're testing for nitrite, it should be undetectable, but no more than 0.1 ppm.

It's possible to operate a successful reef aquarium with nitrate in the 10-15 ppm range but if you want to keep SPS, you should get it below 10 ppm, preferable below 5 ppm. Ideal nitrate, in my opinion, would be 1 ppm.

All of those concentrations should be maintained in saltwater with a salinity of 35 ppt (1.0264 SG). Temperature should be maintained at least 79 F and not more than 84 F. In my opinion, 81-82 F would be ideal.

P.P.S. -- If you have any doubt about your test readings, perform the test two or even three times to see if you get the same results. If the test results still don't seem right and you have checked to make sure that all of your reagents are fresh, then either have someone else test a sample of your water using a different test kit or purchase a different brand yourself.

Some test kits are more accurate than others simply because of the way their titration works. I like the LaMotte test kits because you take the reading directly from the titration syringe itself.

Another point that may take a little time getting used to is being able to identify the exact point where the liquid changes color without going beyond that point. You may be unsure of yourself the first two or three tests, which is why you should perform your calcium and alkalinity tests two or three times just for practice in the beginning.

[Ninong]

Hi howie123,

[craqerjaq]

ok well that answered a few of my questions thanks. the kits I have are the Red Sea brand and seems to be all I can find in the local stores. I know Red Sea has one kit with like 6 or 7 different tests in it so I guess I should look into that...unless there's anything wrong with that brand

http://www.aquaticeco.com/subcategories/506/Red-Sea-Marine-Lab-Test-Kit <--that is what I'm 99% sure is on the Petco shelf. good buy or not?

[Ninong]

ok well that answered a few of my questions thanks. the kits I have are the Red Sea brand and seems to be all I can find in the local stores. I know Red Sea has one kit with like 6 or 7 different tests in it so I guess I should look into that...unless there's anything wrong with that brand

http://www.aquaticeco.com/subcategories/506/Red-Sea-Marine-Lab-Test-Kit <--that is what I'm 99% sure is on the Petco shelf. good buy or not?

That's a FRESHWATER test kit. It won't work.

[Ninong]

Red Sea does offer some saltwater test kits, including what they call a Marine Lab test kit. They offer a calcium test kit and a magnesium test kit separately.

Maybe your store stocks those??? I don't know all that much about Red Sea's test kits but I believe they have improved them recently. They're almost certainly cheaper than LaMotte and probably cheaper than Salifert. I really don't know much about them one way or the other.

[craqerjaq]

why doesn't the link update? I edited the original post with the link because I copied the wrong one but I changed it right away and you can see that it says marine lab test kit in the address...

[Ninong]

why doesn't the link update? I edited the original post with the link because I copied the wrong one but I changed it right away and you can see that it says marine lab test kit in the address...

I don't know. Let's see if this link works. Yes, that one seems to work.

[craqerjaq]

so there's nothing wrong with that red sea marine test kit then...it seems to have most everything I would need and I saw at least one on the shelf last time I was there. thanks again

[Ninong]

Red Sea does offer some saltwater test kits, including what they call a Marine Lab test kit. They offer a calcium test kit and a magnesium test kit separately.

I don't know all that much about Red Sea's test kits. I really don't know much about them one way or the other.

You will need to purchase the calcium test kit and magnesium test kit separately.

[craqerjaq]

if I don't have a reef tank is it still necessary to have the calcium and magnesium tests?

[Ninong]

Yes.

You have to maintain saltwater that is a reasonable substitute for natural seawater no matter what you're keeping.

[LAReefs]

For the basic tests such as Nitrate, pH, phoshate Seachem is a good choice. For tests that are harder to conduct like Caclium I really like kits from Elos. I find their colors to be less ambiguous.

John
LAReefs

[craqerjaq]

I have Red Sea kits for everything now and levels seem to be good all around. I don't have a copper test though...not sure if I need it or not.