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Unread 03/07/2021, 10:01 PM   #1
killafornia
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: tucson az
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what reef test kit should i buy

suggestion?


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Current Tank Info: 48x24x24
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Unread 03/08/2021, 06:25 AM   #2
Badger89
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I just got 3x hanna checker phoshotus and Alk and Salinity ones and love them


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Tank Info: Reefer 350
1.026, 25.5c, Alk 138, Po4 0, No3 6.80, Ca 510, Ph 8.2, NH3 0, No2 0, Mg 1280

Current Tank Info: reefer 350
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Unread 03/08/2021, 08:08 PM   #3
zheka757
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Location: North Port Florida
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i can tell you what i like to use.
nitrate, mag, calcium = red sea
alk, phosphate = hanna checker,
everyone has their own preference of what they like, brs tv did comparison on all the popular test kits i highly recommend to watch it as it will give you a better opinion on test kits.


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Unread 03/09/2021, 08:06 AM   #4
Timfish
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I'd advise you get with local hobbyests and see what test kits you prefer to use. Personally I like:

API - alk & pH and calcium
Nyos high range nitrate
Red Sea - low rang nitrate and magnesium
Elos PO4
basic glass hydrometer for salinity.


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Unread 03/12/2021, 07:18 PM   #5
Sk8r
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One brand. Salifert: numerical result, tests very fast once you learn the moves. A few lab tricks apply, like watching for the 'flash' of color as you approach the result. A few other things speed your result, IF you set your parameters as I have them in my sig line. If you test your alk weekly (the simplest and fastest of all the tests) and don't worry until it drops---THEN you check your magnesium, bring that to 1200, THEN adjust your alk, tHEN your calcium, waiting 24 hours between doses and rechecking (doses take time to work) you will have very little trouble. You will not see alk fall until magnesium does but mg is the nit-pickiest test to run, so just test alk. When it drops you know mg has dropped under 1200. So you fix that, fix the alk, fix the cal in that order. Works like a charm without a doser. Still works if you do have one: you just don't have a drop too often.


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Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low.

Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.
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Unread 03/17/2021, 10:56 AM   #6
Dan.
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All Salifert except my Hanna alk checker. I use the Hanna daily and love it.


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