Test Kits

I use the API test kits for general purposes except for magnesium I use a Salifert kit.

If your tank has already cycled, I'd just get the API reef kit and a salifert magnesium kit and maybe an API pH kit.

 

on the pH stuff... those tests are hard to read and rather pricey.

For $20 bucks on eBay you can get a pH pen. My current one is already over a year old and on same battery. I only have to calibrate it every several months and it's usually right anyway. Takes just a second to 'test' and a digital readout is super easy to read. "8.4" is better than pinkishreddish. lol

 

I have to agree with the 8.4 vs pinkish redish!!! i'm going to order one off amazon!

 

just FYI, this is what mine looks like

 

I just purchased a pen that looks exactly like this one, only yellow a few weeks ago. I am just somewhat confused on calibrating it. I purchased some pinpoint calibration solution with it. I tested calibrating it with a 7.0 pH solution and a 10.0 pH solution. When I tested it in the 7, it was little low ( around 6.8 ) so I calibrated it down to 7.0. Then I put it into the 10.0, and it was high (around 10.3). It seems like there was a difference between the two of .3-.4. When I test the tank water, it comes in around 7.8-7.9, but the API test kit shows it at 8.2.

I guess I'm just confused on where exactly everything really stands, as I am not really confident in the meter being calibrated correctly. Am I missing something or doing something wrong? I also have a packet of 4.0 pH calibration solution that I have not opened.

 

I've seen but never used the yellow one - are you sure it's for the same range pH? Different pens I believe are best suited for different ranges. The packaging should tell you.

Frankly, I don't believe it's possible to be so precise as 8.2 with API test kits. Those are impossible to read (IME). But I get your point anyway.

I have 7.6 pH solution and I calibrated to that and left it at that... IME, it's OK if you're off by a little bit - consistency is key.

 

Packaging just shows it as a full range 0-14.0, 0.1 pH resolution. It came with dry packets to mix 6.86 pH and pH 9.18 solution for calibration, but I don't know how I really feel about using something that I have to actually mix to calibrate with.