Could someone recommend me a decent test kit for my water? I don't need a 300 dollar one, but is a full kit necessary, or can i just pick up a couple ammonia and nitrite test kits? And what about the ammo-block stuff? Thanx
Water Test Kits
- Thread starter Heetseeker
- Start date
I got a Red Sea Deluxe Test Kit from PetCo for 45 dollars that came with pH(6.2-8.4), NH3/NH4, NO2, GH, KH, FE, CO2 and CL2 as well as Flora FE, Flora Vit and Flora Pure for plants. It seems like a pretty good test kit to me and its easy to use.
check out:
www.bigalsonline.com
btw, you don't really need Fe, CO2 or Cl2, so if you can find a cheaper one without these, you're all set.
www.bigalsonline.com
btw, you don't really need Fe, CO2 or Cl2, so if you can find a cheaper one without these, you're all set.
I use Aquarium Pharmaceuticals test kits. I own
PH (regular and another kit to 8.8)
NH3
NO2
NO3
KH&GH (one kit)
PO3
Not sure what they would all cost together - I bought them at various times. BigAls is a good place to price them. I fel that these kits have always given me accurate readings. Sometimes the color differences are a little tough to distinguish, but when there is a parameter out of whack I can always tell.
PH (regular and another kit to 8.8)
NH3
NO2
NO3
KH&GH (one kit)
PO3
Not sure what they would all cost together - I bought them at various times. BigAls is a good place to price them. I fel that these kits have always given me accurate readings. Sometimes the color differences are a little tough to distinguish, but when there is a parameter out of whack I can always tell.
AP sells a "master test kit". It includes ph, ammo, nitrite, gh and I think something else. They usually cost 25-30 bucks depending on where you buy it. You'd also need a nitrate test kit. But that should cover the basics.
I use the Red Sea kit mentioned earlier. I don't use some of the tests included but it is nice to have them in case of emergency. I had an emergency this week. It was great to be able to test everything quickly.
I also use quick dips strips for ammonia and also a 5 in 1 quick dip strip that does nitrate, nitrite, pH, alkalinity and hardness. I usually use the strips on a regular basis and pull out the Red Sea kit every couple weeks as a back up.
I am kind of a water test fanatic.
HTH
Letty
I also use quick dips strips for ammonia and also a 5 in 1 quick dip strip that does nitrate, nitrite, pH, alkalinity and hardness. I usually use the strips on a regular basis and pull out the Red Sea kit every couple weeks as a back up.
I am kind of a water test fanatic.
HTH
Letty
Oh, and on the ammo-block stuff. Never used it, but have been steered away from the stuff by posts on these forums.
Where do you get them quick dip sticks at? I test my water 2 times a day usually and hate waiting the fifteen minutes for results.
Why are you testing 2x daily?
Regardless, if you are, you probably don't want strips. They're much more $$ than drops.
Regardless, if you are, you probably don't want strips. They're much more $$ than drops.
Hi,
Happychem is right they aren't cheap. I get them at petco. The 5 in 1 is in a purple box that says QuickDips. They are about 15 bucks for 25 tests. The ammonia is about $16 for 25 tests. I am lazy at heart and don't always feel like spending 20 minutes testing the water. I would rather watch the fish. Althoughn with a petco pals card sometimes you can get decent deals.
Happychem is right they aren't cheap. I get them at petco. The 5 in 1 is in a purple box that says QuickDips. They are about 15 bucks for 25 tests. The ammonia is about $16 for 25 tests. I am lazy at heart and don't always feel like spending 20 minutes testing the water. I would rather watch the fish. Althoughn with a petco pals card sometimes you can get decent deals.