Test kit recommendations....

[fishouttawater]

I got my first SPS frags from a friend, have only had softies and LPS until now. I have API test kit for pH, am, nitrates and nitrites, but am now wanting to test for kH and Calcium.

Any recommendations on best (ie cheapest but accurate) kit? The one I'm looking at is red sea's reef foundations kit for $50. tests cal, kH, and Mg...is that a good one? Something else better?

Also, if once I test and find things need adjustment, any recs on dosing kits? Thanks
Ps my tank is small 24gal and I have two 1-2 inch frags of sps (Montipora digitata and Acropora tricolor)

[fishouttawater]

Realized this might be better in reef chemistry...moving it over.

[jdraider75]

I like that red sea cal alk and mg kit been using it for a while. As for dosing I use the bulk reef supply 2 part they have a start up kit with mix jugs measure cups alk cal and mg and dosers. Thats what I use I know there are several other kinds to use.

[Peter Eichler]

My suggestions for cheap but still accurate... Easy to use and enough resolution and accuracy for our needs. I would suggest ditching the vials for something with a wider mouth that you can swirl and getting a 5 ml syringe


API Calcium, API Alkalinity

Down the road go for a Salifert Magnesium and a Hanna CHecker for PO4.

[fishouttawater]

Cool I was looking at the brs dosing kit too...good to hear someone else likes it

[DiscusHeckel]

I would recommend Salifert for KH, Ca and Mg, and Elos for phosphates. I would also get Fauna Marin's multi-referenz calibration solution to calibrate the Salifert readings.

[fishouttawater]

My suggestions for cheap but still accurate... Easy to use and enough resolution and accuracy for our needs. I would suggest ditching the vials for something with a wider mouth that you can swirl and getting a 5 ml syringe


API Calcium, API Alkalinity

Down the road go for a Salifert Magnesium and a Hanna CHecker for PO4.

Thanks...I'm pretty new to the dosing game. Do I need a reactor?

[Peter Eichler]

Thanks...I'm pretty new to the dosing game. Do I need a reactor?

Nope, you won't have a lot of demand in that tank so you should be able to get by with dosing BRS or similar for quite a while.

[fishouttawater]

Sweet. Thanks again.

[Nanook]

[moved]

[Timfish]

I use API. Here's a couple of articles:

http://dfwmas.org/files/TestKitAnalysis.pdf

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2012/6/chemistry

[phillrodrigo]

I wouldnt even bother with a phosphate test kit they are useless. The more algea you have the higher your phosphates are. There are 2 types of phosphates our test kits only test for 1. The best test kit for phosphates is looking at your tank. I never use mine. A good way is how often do you have to mag float your glass. If every day to every other they are very high. If twice a week not to bad could be lowered but not the end of the world if once a week your in a good place and have low phosphates. A test kit can also test 0 but still have algea well its not possible to have no phosphates but have algea.