Does anyone have a good test kit that they would recommend? I have the Api drip kits and there are such big gaps between the numbers...I see some of you posting very specific readings that mine just don't have. Also, sometimes I have a hard time telling if it matches one color or a color two lines up! Any advice?
Water testers are unreliable!
- Thread starter journey0820
- Start date
hey you aint alone in that one but its about the best you can get without having to invest any real big money into one
It depends on the which test. Api, I think, has a pretty good Nitrate test where Salifert's Nitrate test is much harder to read.
Most of my test kits are Salifert though.
You can forget about a PH or Phosphate test kit. The Ph kits basically show you a vague range and the Phophate, though possibly somewhat accurate, can't tell you anything other than what it is that one bit of water that is or will be quickly consumed by micro or macro algae. They might give you an indication of PO4 before an algae outbreak so you can head it off at the pass but once nuisance algae has begun........................
Which test are you most concerned about?
Most of my test kits are Salifert though.
You can forget about a PH or Phosphate test kit. The Ph kits basically show you a vague range and the Phophate, though possibly somewhat accurate, can't tell you anything other than what it is that one bit of water that is or will be quickly consumed by micro or macro algae. They might give you an indication of PO4 before an algae outbreak so you can head it off at the pass but once nuisance algae has begun........................
Which test are you most concerned about?
Catpicklesdog
Hindsight is a wonderful thing!
Catpicklesdog
Hindsight is a wonderful thing!
Basic ones needed are Ammonia, PH, nitrAte & nitrIte. On top of those I use phosphates, magnesium, calcium and Carbonate Hardness. In th UK they range in prices depending on the test, for example a PH test kit is £5.75 ($11.00) and a strontium test kit is £14.75 ($29.00).
Has anyone tried the test strips? My father says he just dips a strip of paper in the water and he gets a read out of everything.
I use API or Red Sea for PH and Nitrate but use Salifert for Alk, Mag and Calcium. To be honest 20-30 dollars for test kits isnt that much when you look at some of the costs for other items for a reef tank. The cost for the 3 Salifert kits I use is about $55 and they should last about a year. Here is a link to wear I get mine.
http://diyreef.com/shop/
http://diyreef.com/shop/