question about test kits...

lucid_boy

lucid_boy

cancer
May 19, 2007
127
0
0
45
Salt Lake City, UT
I'm really sorry if this has been asked before (I tried to look for it in other posts but could not find exactly my answer)

I still do not have a test kit of my own. I go to the LFS A LOT
and although I trust the one guy there I have been bringing the water to, this cannot go on forever.

I've read about testing inaccuracy with test strip, and that when using certain products (nova conditioner and I have some of the ammonia neutralizer, although I have not used some of that in weeks)

I am steering towards a liquid-type test kit. I really do not want to get the full set of chemical reagents, but I want to have a reliable way to test my water?
1.what would anyone recommend by way of liquid test kits?

2.also what should I test for besides nitrites, nitrates, ammonia, PH, water hardness?

I've read way too much and now I have information overload, please someone just point out what a beginner needs to really be looking at?
thanks again.

(i will have a 55 gal when it is all set up, and I already have a 10gal)
 
I like the API master test kits. I used to use strips, but I don't think they are very accurate. I only ever test ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, ph, and gh and kh. I had to buy the gh and kh seperate from the kit though. I got all of my test supplies from http://www.bigalsonline.com/ I think there are better deals than going to the LFS.
 
Unless you're trying to change your pH / gH / kH - it really doesn't make sense to track those on your own kit - most LFS are good sports if you ask them once in a while to test those parameters for you. I'd just get Ammonia and Nitrites as those are the ones most people lose sleep over - maybe nitrates or pH as a third - but otherwise get the API / Doc Wellfish liquid tests.
 
If you have a petsmart by you print out there online price of 20.00 and take it in there.. API Liquid test kit....:)
 
I use to use the Mardel Master Test Kit (Included the 5-in-1 and Ammonia Test). These were strips and I always noticed that my readings were high. I thought that I'd never cycle my tank.

I went and bought the API Freshwater Master Test Kit and tested my water and viola! great readings. I've been using it ever since. My Ammo is 0, Rites 0, Rates 5, pH 7.8. If I use the test strips, the readings are Ammo 0.50, Rites 0, Rates 20, pH 6.4. I threw away the Mardel Test Strips yesterday.
 
mobilecow said:
Unless you're trying to change your pH / gH / kH - it really doesn't make sense to track those on your own kit - most LFS are good sports if you ask them once in a while to test those parameters for you. I'd just get Ammonia and Nitrites as those are the ones most people lose sleep over - maybe nitrates or pH as a third - but otherwise get the API / Doc Wellfish liquid tests.
Click to expand...

ph is important to check from time to time. the water from the tap can change. its good to know.

api master test kit is what you want.

freshwater pH, high range pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate all a must. well the ph high might not be needed.
 
well, I would like to be able to test water hardness and ph and what is the kh? alkalinity? the buffer thing right? and DH is hardness? or do I have that backward...
i'll have to look it up again lol
but you know what I mean, the api master test kit sounds like the one for me.
 
API master
 
ooooh, I saw the API yesterday, I am gonna get that one for sure, thank you everyone
 
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