Water Testing

Your welcome. I think you will like the API kits, pretty easy to use, and very affordable, so you can test lots of times.

Kim

 

You will need to add a magnesium kit as well. Both salifert and red sea's are good, I prefer salifert's as it's easier to use. Also, don't even bother with a hydrometer. Get a refractometer

 

whats the difference between the hydro and refractro

 

A refractometer is very easy to use and pretty accurate. You put a few drops of water on it, close the lid and look through to read the scale.

Hydrometer floats in the water to measure the density. A good one is very accurate, but the hobbiest ones are not very accurate.

The refractometer will set you back $30 to 75 depending on the model and where you get it, a hobbiest hydrometer will be about $10.

Kim

 

I generally suggest the following tests for people....

Fish only: NH4, NO2, NO3, pH
Add LPS: Ca, Mg, dKh, PO4
Add SPS: K, Sr

Nice to have around: I, Cu, O2

I have used API and Salifert. I will never use API again. Salifert is sooooo much superior (IMO of course). Elos for NO3 (one liquid and one powder instead of two powders). Elos and Salifert are both top notch.

A refractometer is so cheap that not having one makes no sense. Here is the seller on eBay that I got mine from.

NEW! Salinity Refractometer 4 Aquarium Pond Hydrometer - eBay (item 370180630015 end time Mar-31-09 22:29:10 PDT)

 

Thanks PharmrJohn,

I think im gonna get one of those hydrometers from that link you posted. I already ordered the API from Fosters and SMith. its was only like 35 bucks for all the test so ill try it out first. i got the PH, Amonia, Nitrate, Nitrite, Cal, Phosphate, AK/KH/GH, and a 160 gal of IO reef crystals all for less than 80 bucks shipped. Plus i use to using the Tetra kits on frest water kits and these look to be the same type of test. if its too much of a pain ill spend the extra money on the salifert the next go around.

Thanks again.

 

Just a point on the nitrite that I wasn't aware of, thanks Kim for pointing that out that it isn't nearly as toxic in saltwater, although it still is a little bit. I personally am planning on testing for it in my next tank's cycle, if only to reassure myself that the cycle is progressing well. Peace of mind for a couple bucks is worth it.

Another reference for nitrite.
Nitrite and the Reef Aquarium by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

Also, for future reference reefkeeping.com is a great resource, with tons of thorough articles out there, especially for anything chemistry related.

 

Anything by Randy Holmes-Farley is great for chemistry, and he has written articles for a lot of online mags. But other stuff on reefkeeping.com is not as good as it used to be, they have a lot more fluff than substance.

Kim

 

Ah, yeah I guess I don't really read much of the regular releases, still it's a great resource as it's all archived out there. I usually just google it using something like "nitrite site:reefkeeping.com" and 9/10 times, for chemistry stuff especially, I get a great article about it.

 

Reef Aquarium Articles and How To's - 3reef Forums

Listen to Matt...

You could also have you LFS test you water for free. I know it felt really good to be able to talk to a real live person about the test results and actually see the testing process: "10 drops, shake for 1 min. 10 drops, when color turns from pink to blue..." This was extremely overwhelming for me.