Water Testing kits. Too Many to chose from.

[ace1uno_00]

I Recently Purchased a Red Sea test kit. I always used to have my water tested at Petco But I decided to start testing my water more frequently due to a loss of a Alveopora, Anchor coral and a Candy Cane.

I dont think this test kit is any good. Are there any better ones out there?

And are there any specific things i should test for besides PH, Amonia, Nitrites, Nitrates, Alkalinity.
I have a Hagen Calcium test kit that works pretty well but i dont like to have to add drop by drop and then multiply each drop by 20 to get results. Seems like there should be a simpler way.

I was Also Talked into buying a dKH buffer. Bad Purchase?

any Suggestions?

Thanks

 

[Hara]

Most folks will say salifert is one of the best for test kits..

As far as dkh buffering, I dunno? was it a bad purchase? Do you have problems
with a stable ph?

The loss of corals could be due to any number of reasons.

 

[JM]

Best one i have ever used and the one my LFS swears by is made by Aquarium Systems a subdivision of Instant Ocean. Its a powder test that comes with test packets and plastic container to test in. Instead of a flimsy little card with bland colors on it, it actually has a color chip that slides into the test container next to the chamber that holds the water. Very easy to read and colors are very distinguishable. They cost a little more than others, but they are the best IMO and when you run out of test packets you can by refills instead of buying a whole new test kit.

 

[Dr.Nate]

Salifert here. I just believe that test kits are one of those things that you shouldn't skimp on in this hobby (especially if you have inverts/corals)

 

[tecwzrd]

Never liked the Red Sea test kit personally. I mostly use the Reef Master Liquid Test Kit with great results. I have used a couple of the Salifert tests as well but the $15+ per test is kind of pricey and the results have always been in line with AP for me.

Since ca goes hand in hand with alk the buffer is necessary if your alk/ph is low.

I haven't seen a ca test yet that didn't require the drop by drop method. My ca always is around 380-420 so I cheat and add 17 drops first and then go drop by drop (I get the same results).

As for what to test for (in a reef tank) the only other thing I'd recommend is a po4 test.

 

[Ziggy953]

I agree with tecwzrd! AP works for me. I've got a few salifert kits too and they seem to read exactly the same as the AP. I agree with the po4 aslo!!

 

[RHINO13]

I agree with tecwzrd with po4,and would also think about a magnesium test.

If that is low (700) it will be hard to maintain proper ca2. NSW has about 1300,which is what you should shoot for.

P.S. this is only something I read,I do not speak from experience.I don't even have the magnesium test yet.(only because I don't have anything in my tank that requires me to worry about it yet)Although I do have the Reef Master Test Kit

I am only 3 months into reefing,but reading alot.

Thanks,
Ryan

 

[melosu58]

I know I`m in the minority but I like the red sea test kit. It`s all I`ve ever used. Little bit hard to read sometimes but other than that I`ve had little problems.

 

[Kurt_Nelson]

I wouldn't want to be different, so I'll chime in and say AP test kits are pretty much all I use also. And like others, I have a few Salifert kits for those times when I question my AP tests. I've never found them off by too much though. AP tests I have are Ammonia, Nitrites, Nitrates, pH, Alk, and Ca. I have Salifert tests for Ca, Phoshpates, and Mg. I also have a Hagen test kit for Phosphates, which in my opinion is kind of useless unless you have very high amounts in your tank as the sensitivity is too low. (It was the first phosphate kit I bought.)

Also agree with tecwizard... don't think you're going to find any Ca tests that don't use titration (drop by drop). Personally, I immediately add 15 drops and shake - that's 300ppm. I then go drop by drop, counting "20, 40, 60, etc..." until I get the color change. No math required!

Good move doing your own testing. With the amount of time and money I have invested in my tank, I can't imagine leaving something as important as water testing up to anyone else but me.

 

[roka64]

I can't imagine leaving something as important as water testing up to anyone else but me.

I agree! I only have the LFS test my water, if I think my tests are not working.

 

[tecwzrd]

don't think you're going to find any Ca tests that don't use titration

And I thought I was a wordsmith You got me with that one

ti·tra·tion Pronunciation (t-trshn)
n.
The process, operation, or method of determining the concentration of a substance in solution by adding to it a standard reagent of known concentration in carefully measured amounts until a reaction of definite and known proportion is completed, as shown by a color change or by electrical measurement, and then calculating the unknown concentration.

 

[rubikcube]

I'm a big fan of the SeaChem test kits. They give great results and aren't too expensive. The things I test for are as follows...

Calcium and Alkalinity - Since this is the most important thing to test for in a reef, I do it twice a week.

pH - Since I'm testing for alkalinity so often, pH is less important. I only test once a week.

Nitrate, Phosphate - Once a month at most. I haven't detected nitrates or phosphates in months.

I'd recommend not using the dKH buffer unless you know you have alkalinity problems. A buffer is a pretty bad way to fix pH problems. The only time I would use one is if I had low alkalinity AND low pH.

 

[ace1uno_00]

Ok ALL my levels are high. My calcium is at 500.

Obviously a water change and Wet/Dry filter cleaning is a must. What else should i do?

And how does calcium and alk go hand and hand? and what is this dKH buffer for? is that to raise it? what if its already too high.

Im so confused.

 

[Toirtis]

I prefer Salifert for pinpoint accuracy when it really counts, but AP work well for quick day-today checking.

 

[melosu58]

And how does calcium and alk go hand and hand? and what is this dKH buffer for? is that to raise it? what if its already too high.

Im so confused.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-12/rhf/index.php

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

 

[ace1uno_00]

Thanks Melosu58.

I stayed up till 2 AM this morning. I did a water change scrubbed every inch of my wet/dry filter, skimmer and bio balls. My water parameters are level again except my calcium, it dropped to 320. Im gettin that back up slowly. (I dose with purple up).

With this dKH supplement what should i test for? before and after adding it?