Test kits

[carlos_fb]

I'm about to start my first reef tank and I was wondering what test kit would be good enough to start.

 

[james734]

Salifert, Ph, Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate. Once tha tank is up and cycled and depending on the animals. Calcium, MG, Alk, & Phos.

 

[Krish]

I'm with James 100%! I use the same brand (Salifert) and have all the above test kits except I haven't gotten the phosphate test kit yet .

 

[shallowreef]

James pretty much listed everything that you will need to start with and then if you get corals well i just noticed he listed them too. Yeah just go with what james suggested.

 

[oldsaint]

Ditto James
plus a good refractometer and pH probe

 

[shallowreef]

Yeah those are also two very important tools that oldsant listed.

 

[carlos_fb]

Ditto James
plus a good refractometer and pH probe

Any brand in particular?

 

[NaH2O]

carlos - check out this thread. I have a link in it to the refractometer I use: Refractometer

As for pH probes, you could get a Pinpoint brand (I used that before getting a Aquacontroller). Just remember to recalibrate it every 4-6 weeks.

 

[carlos_fb]

It might me a stupid question but can you guys please tell me what is a pH probe for?

 

[james734]

It will monitor you PH more accurately than test kit. It's Probe that is placed in the water and has a remote display will display the current PH value.

Here's a link:
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=AM1111

 

[carlos_fb]

It will monitor you PH more accurately than test kit. It's Probe that is placed in the water and has a remote display will display the current PH value.

Here's a link:
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=AM1111

Nice! thanks for the link, so I don't need a PH test kit if I get a PH probe?

 

[Krish]

Sometimes it's good to have both on hand Carlos. The PH monitor/probe may start reading off a bit and it will only be by using a ph test kit, that you will be able to determine if you need to re-calibrate the ph monitor. When setting them up, they send a solution to calibrate it, but over time, sometimes they need re-calibrating

 

[james734]

You don't have to, but I would just incase. It's great to do some comparisions of the 2.

Edit: you beat me Krish...

 

[Krish]

Sorry James...You snooze you lose

 

[carlos_fb]

I will get them both then.

One more question, do I need a hydrometer if I get a refractometer?

 

[Krish]

Nope... Refractometers are by far the best thing to use and are so much more accurate than a hydrometer. There is a conversion table somewhere here which I can get for you if you need it incase you want to convert salinity to specific gravity or vice versa (for posting sake )

 

[james734]

I wouldn't. Once I got my refractometer my hydrometer was placed in the spare parts bin and has yet to be touched.

Edit: You beat me again Krish.. Must be the 10k + post count pushing me out.

 

[Krish]

Edit: You beat me again Krish.. Must be the 10k post count pushing me out.

ROFL!!! I must have seniority priviledges:lol: I'll let you get the next one

 

[james734]

Nope... Refractometers are by far the best thing to use and are so much more accurate than a hydrometer. There is a conversion table somewhere here which I can get for you if you need it incase you want to convert salinity to specific gravity or vice versa (for posting sake )

Krish, I think most Refracts (at least my newer one) displays both.

 

[Krish]

Krish, I think most Refracts (at least my newer one) displays both.

Yeah! That's cool...I've been meaning to buy one for a while now, but have been to busy buying other things I just use the old taste test. It my tongue dries up, then it's about right:lol: Naw...I use a hydrometer for now. I usually test it against ocean water here when I can to see if it is accurate because I know our water runs about 1.026-7 off of shore. Which one do you have James?