All these test options are making my head explode!

[Junkmanthom]

Thank you!

Hmmm! That’s a new one on me!

 

[Junkmanthom]

There are others...AquaForest includes in test kits (small amount though) and Hanna has standards as well I believe (haven't used them).

Omg! There are soooo many choices! Lol thank you!

 

[Junkmanthom]

As much as I like technology, I don't fully trust it. I had the Red Sea and Hanna Checkers before I got the Apex and the Trident.

I’m with you. Old fashioned chemical checks!

 

[Junkmanthom]

Do you have any recommendations on the salt water standards samples you are referring to? I love to try and test against known values to double check my methods. Thanks!

Nah.. I’m still building. This is all to prepare myself for the onslaught of night terrors I’m gonna have when I get going!!

 

[Junkmanthom]

The Ultra low p and alk have been. The rest red sea or salifert is a toss up imo. The Hannah's aren't necessary I just like the digital because alk is a pain running a liquid test on imo. Phosphate is the boogeyman so I like to have a digital #.

Either of the liquid tests will serve you well.

Ahaaa! Now that is wisdom to take note of! Thanks!

 

[Junkmanthom]

Lastly...one thing I'd wish I'd done was save my money on high end test kits until I actually got the corals that required it. I was dropping bucks on Red Sea during cycling, which is silly honestly.

Oh and buy saltwater standards samples with known values. Learning how to read even a lower end test kit gave me a lot more confidence in the values I was seeing.

This is exactly why I appreciate folks like you. I’m 53 years old and getting dumber by the day! I really appreciate the info!

 

[Quietman]

This is exactly why I appreciate folks like you. I’m 53 years old and getting dumber by the day! I really appreciate the info!

Well I'm 57. Wisdom is learning from others being dumb (and I'm happy to share all my dumb stuff...most are on here). Dumb is not asking before you learn the hard way so you're way ahead of the game.

 

[S2G]

Ahaaa! Now that is wisdom to take note of! Thanks!

Nitrate in salifert & nyos have wide ranges is why I went redsea. Now check this out. You can read no3 with your hannah ulr

Accurate NO3 Test with Hanna ULR P Checker

(I got this concept - and the first data - from Dan_P. ) Short version: Take Red Sea NO3 test, develop it, run it through the Hanna ULR P checker. Calculate your NO3 as follows (ppm NO3) = 0.00765 x (Hanna reading) + 0.117 Now for the details. First, take the tank water and precisely dilute...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Daniel@R2R]

Hanna what, Hanna Montana fan, LOL!!! ;Hilarious;Hilarious;Hilarious

We have a "be nice" rule ya know!? ;Hilarious

 

[Bender]

I know I know! My wife thinks I’m Crabby Patty when I have my nose in the dirt and trying to find the best way to do something. “Honey, I’m just trying to be right!” Lol. Question, Do i need to consume myself with worry over ammonia testing?

I only have ever tested ammonia & nitrite during a cycle. If you add a big group of fish to your system at one time there might be a reason to test for it. I will be using these a lot as I am just about to start cycling my new tank. I just use API for these but they are known to give false positives.

 

[Junkmanthom]

Well I'm 57. Wisdom is learning from others being dumb (and I'm happy to share all my dumb stuff...most are on here). Dumb is not asking before you learn the hard way so you're way ahead of the game.

I have an infinite amount of patience when it comes to my fish! I like them too much to lose them. They are my escape from peopling!!

 

[Junkmanthom]

We have a "be nice" rule ya know!? ;Hilarious

DOH!!!

 

[Junkmanthom]

I only have ever tested ammonia & nitrite during a cycle. If you add a big group of fish to your system at one time there might be a reason to test for it. I will be using these a lot as I am just about to start cycling my new tank. I just use API for these but they are known to give false positives.

I can do this!! Right?!?

Nitrate in salifert & nyos have wide ranges is why I went redsea. Now check this out. You can read no3 with your hannah ulr

Accurate NO3 Test with Hanna ULR P Checker

(I got this concept - and the first data - from Dan_P. ) Short version: Take Red Sea NO3 test, develop it, run it through the Hanna ULR P checker. Calculate your NO3 as follows (ppm NO3) = 0.00765 x (Hanna reading) + 0.117 Now for the details. First, take the tank water and precisely dilute...

www.reef2reef.com

again... many thanks!!! I like all this info!

 

[Gareth elliott]

Use seneye reef, for cycling and par.

Alkalinity hanna checker as of yesterday KH Director
calcium aquaforest

Magnesium salifert(honestly go inexpensive here, not a parameter most test super often, test might expire lol

Po4 hanna

No3 red sea.

salinity refractometer and digital salinity tester.

ph profilux probe, use the seneye as a spot checker here as well.

 

[Reefhack]

Now that the survey has been taken for which brand names to use; besides the big 5
Alk, mag, calcium, nitrate & phosphate do I need to be testing for copper, strontium, iron, iodine OMG I think my head’s gonna explode!!!

 

[Junkmanthom]

Use seneye reef, for cycling and par.

Alkalinity hanna checker as of yesterday KH Director
calcium aquaforest

Magnesium salifert(honestly go inexpensive here, not a parameter most test super often, test might expire lol

Po4 hanna

No3 red sea.

salinity refractometer and digital salinity tester.

ph profilux probe, use the seneye as a spot checker here as well.

I just took a screenshot of this! I can’t thank you enough! Merry Christmas! HappyHolidays!

 

[Junkmanthom]

I am new to this site and to reefing. I’m not new to saltwater or fresh, but all this info and sharing is amazing! I really really want to thank everyone for their input. I certainly appreciate all of you!

 

[Crotalus]

I wouldn't recommend the Hanna Calcium test. There is a 100/1 dilution that makes the test inaccurate. I didn't find the Hanna pH meter to be reliable no matter what I did.
I use Nyos for NO3 and Salifert for everything else.
The API test kit is cheap for a reason.

 

[Rick Mathew]

Hey y’all! When I was a young lad, keeping up with my fish only Saltwater aquarium wasn’t so difficult because there were limited options to use in testing. Now that I am older, not wiser, but have a couple more bucks to my name, I’m going reefing! I know how important it is to keep up with the water parameters. This being said, I’m a wee bit overwhelmed by the different test kits. I didn’t win the lottery so, Apex is out. Seneye or that price range is closer to my budget. What in the wide wide world of sports is the best test kits?? Help!

Actually what I have found is for the most part Tests Kits are what you make of them...Brand aside the key is using the test kit correctly and using good laboratory practices. Most tests kits will render good (fit for purpose) results...The very best test kit when not properly used will still yield bad results...regardless of how good it is...I frequently tell students..."Owning the worlds most expensive cookware does not make me a Chef"

I like Daniel@R2R am a Hanna Fan....I also use Salfert...

 

[Junkmanthom]

Actually what I have found is for the most part Tests Kits are what you make of them...Brand aside the key is using the test kit correctly and using good laboratory practices. Most tests kits will render good (fit for purpose) results...The very best test kit when not properly used will still yield bad results...regardless of how good it is...I frequently tell students..."Owning the worlds most expensive cookware does not make me a Chef"

I like Daniel@R2R am a Hanna Fan....I also use Salfert...

My cooking proves that!! Lol