Testing

[Xtremedave67]

OK, so online or in LFS I see multiple brand test kits and wow do they range in price. I also see that there are a couple brands that have the basic tests in an all inclusive kit.
is there any real difference from say Seachem to Elos or API to Salifert?
for the new hobbyist, it seems overwhelming to buy 6-7 individual test kits that cost as much as my live rock or skimmer :O
I welcome thoughts for my personal knowledge

 

[ac7av]

Lots of people have opinions on the tests that are available to the consumer. The problem is that there is so many variables in the testing that even an experienced person could get different results running the same test 5 times. Just get one that you like, stay away from the testing strips type kits, and try and do the test the same all the time with the exact amount of water. I find it best to use a syringe to measure the water accurately for the tests, using sing the same light when testing and hold your breath when dripping ha ha. good luck testing

 

[NaTe R]

Dave for you i would start off by getting a

Refractometer
A Salifert Alk Test kit
and Pinpoint PH Monitor with some extra Calibration fluid

the rest you can figure out down the road. Getting SG, Alk, Ph dialed will be important to get dialed and stable.

if i remember right you got established live rock? If you are going to cycle it again maybe pick up a API Nitrate test kit to watch levels during cycle

 

[Xtremedave67]

Ahhhh that brings up another question....I realize that a plastic float needle on a hydrometer cant be too exact, but how important is salinity being exact? I see 1.025 as the normal level people seem to want.
I also seen those refractometers range from upper 30's-100 plus....anything I should take into consideration with those?

 

[NWDiver]

I would get this one http://www.thefilterguys.biz/refractometers.htm
It was recommended to me by Boomer, and I am really happy with it. I have two of the cheaper models and with a fair bit of testing they were really inconsistant.
You are welcome to swing down and see the difference.

-Todd

 

[Kurt_Nelson]

You'll find as many differences in opinion about brands of test kits as you will for salt!

When I started out, I was using API for everything. After a year of having "zero" nitrates with the API kit - first color change on the color match card comes at 5.0ppm - I decided to try a different kit with a lower resolution. With Salifert, I can detect nitrates down to 0.2-0.5ppm or so, and not have to guesstimate at all around 5.0ppm.

For me, the brand really wasn't the reason for the switch, but the ability to read parameters at lower levels. I can now tell when my nitrates jump from 0.5 to 2.0. With an API kit, I wouldn't even have noticed.

The other thing is to find a brand you like and stick with it. I've found that I can get two different readings for calcium using two different kits. They're within +/- 10% of each other, but who really knows what the real level is. Then again, I don't really care as long as it's close to acceptable - I'm just looking for consistency. If you hop between test kits, its tough to be consistent.

For me, I'm using API for pH, alkalinity, ammonia, and nitrites. Salifert gets my business when it comes to calcium, magnesium, nitrates, and phosphates. Not sayin' those are the best... just the ones I've found that work for me!

 

[Xtremedave67]

Todd, I will use that as an excuse to see your DT again LOL... and of course talk tank LOL

Kurt...Thanks that makes sense I didnt realize that the spectrum of parameters where off from brand to brand.

 

[NaTe R]

and dave when you get rollin here make your self a chart to record all of the test results you get with the date and time of test. I would also keep record of water changes when you do them, SG of change and if you havent herd this yet but do your water changes in the morning and/or when ph is lowest in the tank. This will help you look at what direction your heading and were you came from. Because you may already know this but if you test ph at 5 am before work its gonna be way different than testing at 5pm after work. it is ez to forget when and what you tested at three days ago or a month ago.

Also i would tell you if you can test for things like alk and ph every three days and record it on that chart you can make small adjustments every other testing period. This will give everything a chance for chemistry to change and looking back on your chart you can see what you adjusted last time and how it affected chemistry.

 

[Xtremedave67]

Nate these are good things to know thanks