Questions on Water chemistry and its Tests

I'm having a few brain freezes about water chemistry since I haven't had to take care of my tank for a while since my hubby was doing it.

Here's a few questions:

- How often should you replace test kits?
- What are some reliable test kit brands?
- What are the must have test kits for reef tanks? (besides the pH, N03, N02, and NH3/NH4)
- What is the normal range these tests should be in - in a reef tank?

Thanks

 

Salifert are the shiz when it comes to testing......
Must haves: Alk (3-4 meq), Mag(1500 ppm), PH(8-8.5), Amm(0), Nitrite(0), Nitrate(<20), and calcium(420).

 

I was looking on Dr. Fosters and Smith...does this brand not come in a bundle? or do you have to buy each type of test separate?

 

i think you have to buy each seperate, gimme a sec to search

 

yep, all seperate :-/

 

I wish Salifert would sell kits, I would buy it.

 

Well Dang! I still haven't found how often the test kits should be replaced. I have this big tupperware container of testing supplies and I know some of this stuff has been in here since we started the tank in 2006.

I tested my tank this morning and I thought it was all out of whack!

ph 7.8, Nitrate 10, phosphate 0.0, nitrite 0, ammonia 0.25, calcium 520, alk 300, cal hardness 232.7 (all of these were done with API test kits except the alk, I dunno what that one is)

Calcium was high bc hubby was up at 1:30 this am putting in the Purple Up. I just realized from reading different posts on here that the studd contains Iodine. I been putting that in. Oh geez!

I just got 2 new tangs day before yesterday and I thought I saw ich on one of them and my two clownfish this am, but I am guessing I am dilierous because I have checked several times throughout the day again and saw nothing. I think I'll go to bed and wake up again, ergh

 

How often should you replace test kits? Most kits have an expiration date in case you do not use it in time
- What are some reliable test kit brands? Using Lamotte and Salifert for the what Lamotte doesn't have. Mereck for Phosphate
- What are the must have test kits for reef tanks? (besides the pH, N03, N02, and NH3/NH4) Mag, Calcium,Alklanity and Phosphate

Not really a test kit, but a must have is a refractometer.

 

Salifert comes with exp. dates but API doesnt. All they have is a lot #. Maybe if you/me contact API and give them the lot #, they can tell us when do they expire.
I dont like Purple-up, never have used it before but have heard bad reviews. Your ph will be low in the morning, thats normal, mine is always at 7.8 too. Your Cal is a little high, I keep mine at 420-480ppm. ALk at 300???? doesnt make any sense.