Master Test kit

[mofitn357]

Anyone have any suggestions for a good master test kit that would test everything that Is needed for a reef aquarium. I can't seem to find any real complete test kits. Thank You

[maynardjames]

api has a reef test kit has phos,dkh,calcium.nitrate
salt water kit has ph,amonia,nitrite,nitrate
may have forget a test from each kind. only 1 i have found with multiple kits in 1 package.seachem has one master kit also, but api is much eaiser imo.
both are not the top of the line, but some test work well

[mat167]

The API ones aren't so bad. The PO4 is fairly useless for values under 0.5 ppm. The NO3 is also hard to read an 10 ppm and less. I like their Ca and Alk tests, nice and quick. For a starter API should get the job done, then you can upgrade the individual tests later.

BTW, Welcome to the site =)

Happy Reefing!

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

[welcome]

I would not typically recommend a "master" kit. Picking what you actually need or want from among reputable makers is a better bet. You likely do not need much of what is in typical combo kits, and likely will want others.

i discuss what to test for here (and what to not bother) here:

The “How To” Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners, Part 2: What Chemicals Must be Supplemented
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-04/rhf/index.php

The "How To" Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners, Part 3: pH
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-05/rhf/index.php

The “How To” Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners,
Part 4: What Chemicals May Detrimentally Accumulate
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-09/rhf/index.php

[reefscape15]

I have a Hagen Master Kit, and is really only lacking a test for magnesium. It has a GH/KH test, but no ALK test. I think there is a way to figure out your alkalinity from GH. Kit has Ammonia, Phosphate, Nitrate, Nitrite, Iron (which i used once, but don't think you really need it), Calcium, GH/KH. I think that is it, but if you have any freshwater tanks, it includes chemicals to run all of those tests on freshwater/brackish as well. I had a brackish, african cichild, and reef tank and it was nice to be able to use only one kit. Definately had to make extra sure that the instruments were clean when switching tanks, but i feel it should be extra clean even if you only use it in one tank.