What test kit(s) for a planted tank?

C

clawlan

Don't harass the sea turtles!
Dec 29, 2006
880
0
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Atlanta, GA
Since there are other elements to measure for, what test kit(s) do I need? Links/brands would be nice!

This one seems nice:

Master Test Kit

Manufacturer Part Number: a7860
Nutrafin Master Test Kit contains 10 tests for both freshwater and saltwater aquariums in a solid durable case.

Kit includes the following:
pH low range test (6.0-7.6)
pH high range test (7.4-8.6)
Iron Test
Nitrite Test
Phosphate Test
Ammonia Test
Nitrate Test
Calcium Test
General Hardness Test
Carbonate Hardness Test
Instruction booklets with color charts
2 Pipettes
5 Glass test tubes with caps
P24329.jpg

http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/215023/product.web
 
The one you posted is more than adequate. You will likely want to pick up some extra test tubes though, especially if you have multiple tanks.

I wouldn't recommend being a slave to testing though, it took a lot of the fun out of the hobby when I was constantly checking levels. In my heavily planted tank I haven't lost a single fish since I started it, and I rarely test it. Now I only start checking levels if livestock behavior changes, or things start dying.

If you aren't keen on chemistry and want to go the simple route (and much less expensive route), I would suggest the API Master Kit, and buy the standalone Hardness kit which includes General and Carbonate. This has worked out great for me.

API Master Freshwater Test Kit
http://www.petsmart.com/global/prod...<>ast_id=2534374302023693&bmUID=1178083192042
I know it's Petsmart, but you can print out the web page and they will match it in-store, no hassles. I couldn't find this one on thatpetplace.

Here is the API hardness kit
http://www.petsmart.com/global/prod...<>ast_id=2534374302023693&bmUID=1178083474102

If you want a comparable kit from thatpetplace, this is it:
http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/group/11391/product.web

Couldn't find the API hardness kit at thatpetplace either, but this should do:
http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/199678/product.web
 
hm, but isnt one supposed to dose several chemicals and trace elements on a regular basis to keep the in good shape?
 
hm. i like to be extensive and know whats going on, especially since I am new to planted tanks and am going to want to know what supplements I should be adding.
 
Well....

You could do what I did and not use ferts at all. Maybe I'm just lucky, but I haven't seen the need for them yet. I do use CO2, and I know that has had a major affect. But why fertilize the water column if you can provide trace elements naturally with a good substrate and slight overfeeding?

Here's the thing, if you really want to "know what's going on", why don't you start simple and complicate things later, if things don't take off the way you want? Otherwise, if you go high-tech from the start and have problems, you'll have a myriad of variables to sort through to investigate what the real issue(s) are. The other thing is, if you do go high-tech and it works, how do you know which components are actually making plants grow, stay healthy, propagate, etc.?

Maybe my viewpoint is not popular here, but I tend to lean to the "au natural" approach. Seems to me, the high-tech approach is popular because so many folks find it too hard to grow and maintain planted aquariums. But if folks understand that high-tech is not the only way to go, then it keeps things wide-open for those not willing, or financially able to maintain high-tech tanks.

I'm all for ferts and expensive test kits if you need them, but if you don't, you're just wasting money and time that you could be using for other things. ...like more tanks and plants and fish :-)

P.S. - If you really want to "know what's going on", get the book "Ecology of the Planted Aquarium - A Practical Manual and Scientific Treatise for the Home Aquarist" Definitely a technical read.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.h...7377315%3FSubscriptionId=19BAZMZQFZJ6G2QYGCG2
 
And one more thing. I'm honestly not trying to be an a$$ here, just trying to explain my viewpoint and maybe save some headaches. Read this thread if you get a chance: http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=108155

It is yet another example of someone trying to know what is going on, before they understand what is going on. Two fundamentally different things. That said, I wish I understood a fraction of the things I know... ;)

Peace
 
All you really need are pH and GH and KH.

And to tell the truth since I got my drop checkers I have not even tested those. You can run a quite successful planted aquarium and NEVER touch a test kit.

By using the Estimative Index method of dosing the tank you will always have adequate nutrients in the tank.

Does one have to understand how a computer works on the mechanical and electrical level to use it? Nope. Same for a planted tank. Provide adaquate nutrients and sit back and enjoy.
 
The only times I use test kits are when I'm cycling a new tank, or when something screws up in one of my tanks...other than that i wouldnt worry too much about them...
 
I like Rex's analogy about using vs. understanding.

And for the record, I'm not against using ferts, I just believe that with a balanced approach, you may find that you don't need them to have healthy, flourishing plants.

I also wanted to clarify something I wrote previously. I don't use ferts in my main planted tank, because I haven't needed them. I do dose with Hagen PlantGro weekly in my other 3 tanks, since those were more-or-less retrofitted to be planted and don't have CO2 added to them. I have no idea if it is effective or not, but most plants are doing well. Not nearly as well as my main tank which is about 4 months old. Shown here about a month ago:

tank1 small.jpg
 
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