Need advice of test kits

[Sir Ottis]

I have started my 1st salt water aquarium. It is 90 gal w/110 lbs of cured lr(relocated from a 5 yr old aquarium) and live sand. I monitored my chems for a few weeks before adding anything and my water did not cycle. My lfs said it might not due to amount and maturity of my lr. I have since added 1 Orange & White Ocellaris, 1 Black & White Ocellaris, and 1 blue linckia.

I had some detritus break out and picked up some turbos, blue-legg hermits, and some nafarius to work on it. The turbos are plowing through it really well.

I have been using dip sticks for my chem test and have found they are not as acurate as I would be comfortable with. What "master kit" would any of you recommend?

I have ordered a refractometer because my hygrometer is always off from my lfs tests.

Thanks for your help.

 

[CatatonicBug]

Aquarium Pharmaceuticals (API) is the preferred standard.

And welcome to the forum!

 

[melosu58]

Aquarium Pharmaceuticals (API)

That`s what I use also

 

[roka64]

I use API for the basics and seachem for other tests like Ca, Iodine.

 

[ccCapt]

I've always used Salifert, but some of the kits are virtually impossible to get now. I just picked up Sera kits for ca and alk. They seem to be pretty close to the results I get with the Salifert kits....and are much cheaper.

 

[BillyZ]

I've always used Salifert, but some of the kits are virtually impossible to get now. I just picked up Sera kits for ca and alk. They seem to be pretty close to the results I get with the Salifert kits....and are much cheaper.

Same here. Right down to not being able to get the Ca/Alk salifert kits with my last order hehe.

 

[cmor1701d]

I also use Salifert almost exclusively. I had a bit of problem last time but ended up finding a store that had them in stock. They seem to be in stock again but the prices are higher...."Note: Due to the recent rise of the Euro against the Dollar, our costs for obtaining Salifert products has been greatly increased. ..."

 

[ccCapt]

Cmor, did you find them online or just at a lfs?

 

[cmor1701d]

Online. I got mine from a place in Toms River, but the Drs. and Marine Depot seem to have them in stock again.