Click Here!
Promote! | Advertise | View Sponsors | Top100
Welcome to 3reef.com, the friendly tropical fish forum community where reef aquarium enthusiasts from around the world come to discuss coral reef aquariums, saltwater fish, corals, inverts, protein skimmers, fish filters, aquarium lighting, refugiums, etc. Also freshwater fish information on tetras, goldfish, cichlids and more!

You are currently viewing 3reef.com as a guest which gives you limited access to view most tropical fish forum discussions, articles and photo galleries. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload your own photo gallery and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact support.
Go Back   3reef Forums > Advanced > Water Chemistry
Register FAQ Tags Map Members List Calendar Sidebar Off Mark Forums Read Sidebar Off

Old 03-15-2008, 11:11 AM   #1 (permalink)
Fire Worm
 
vegasfish's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Henderson, NV
Posts: 172
Karma: 165
vegasfish has a spectacular aura aboutvegasfish has a spectacular aura about


 
Default Which water chemistry test kits to buy?

I am new to the saltwater world and getting ready to set up my first saltwater aquarium. It is a 65 gal acrylic tank, wet / dry trickle filtration, skimmer, power heads and so on. I will be housing FOLR to start until I feel stable enough to dabble it the coral world. Which water chemistry test kits do I need to buy? And what has worked best for you. I just want to make sure my future fish are in a good home.
vegasfish is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Reef Links
Click Here!
Old 03-15-2008, 11:17 AM   #2 (permalink)
Gigas Clam
 
bmshehan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Columbus, Indiana
Age: 23
Posts: 857
Karma: 1486
bmshehan has much to be proud ofbmshehan has much to be proud ofbmshehan has much to be proud ofbmshehan has much to be proud ofbmshehan has much to be proud ofbmshehan has much to be proud ofbmshehan has much to be proud ofbmshehan has much to be proud ofbmshehan has much to be proud ofbmshehan has much to be proud of


 
 
Default

Here goes the first of 1,000,000 opinions... I have heard lots of good things about Elos test kits, that's all I'm going to buy from now on. No master kits are good quality, unfortunately. I would say spend the money on good individual test kits.
Hope I helped!


_________

55 gallon slowly growing reef aquarium, 85 lbs. live rock, 2 1/2" sandbed, 1 False Percula Clown, 1 Sixline Wrasse, Tetratec PF500 filter, 2 110 watt URI Super Actinic VHO actinics, 2 250 watt metal halides with Reef Optix 2 reflectors powered by Blue Wave 3 ballast, born 1/3/08
My Tank Thread My Tank Video
bmshehan is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 03-15-2008, 01:39 PM   #3 (permalink)
Fire Shrimp
 
double2mk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 315
Karma: 386
double2mk is cooldouble2mk is cooldouble2mk is cooldouble2mk is cool


 
Default

My .02
From what I can gather, I would think of it as everything else in life, not all vendors make everything to par.

Meaning, you may find API better for N2, but Sailfert better for P4 and ammonia., maybe Redsea for N3.

I know thats not very helpful, but from all the tests I have tries, it is apparent to me that not all test kits are created equal and not all vendor make all tests equally.

I hear good things for Sailfert, but no master kit available.


\Cheers


_________

Tank Stuff:
46Gal, 1 AC110, CPR Skimmer, VA Reactor, CL t5 ho 4 x 60 w w/lunar lights , 50 lbs LR, 60lbs LS
FISH:
1 Coral Beauty, 1 Flame Angel, 1 Flame Hawk, 1 Clown Goby, 1 Damsel, 2 Chomis, 1 Black Sailfin Blenny, 1 Royal Gramma
CORAL:
Mushrooms, Anemone, Feather Dusters
INVERT:
hermits different kinds, 2 turbos, 4 Nassarius Snail , Bumblebee, Banded Coral Shrimp, 2 Emeralds, 1 Sally Lightfoot
Params:
Temp 78, PH 8.3, Alk 2.9, Ca 480, Sg 1.023, Dkh 10, Mg 1400, Am .15, N2 .5, N3 10, P4 .05
double2mk is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 03-16-2008, 09:00 AM   #4 (permalink)
Fire Worm
 
vegasfish's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Henderson, NV
Posts: 172
Karma: 165
vegasfish has a spectacular aura aboutvegasfish has a spectacular aura about


 
Default

Okay thanks it sounds like it will have to be trial and error.
vegasfish is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 03-16-2008, 09:31 AM   #5 (permalink)
Spanish Shawl Nudibranch
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: chicago
Posts: 84
Karma: 121
glassbox-design has helped out a lot around hereglassbox-design has helped out a lot around here


 
Default

I would suggest elos kits as well.

If you are doing a FOWLR, a wet dry is not needed...you may want to start another thread on that.


_________

cheers,
e&f

http://glassbox-design.com
glassbox-design is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Reef Links
Old 03-16-2008, 09:50 AM   #6 (permalink)
Giant Squid
 
lunatik_69's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Miami
Age: 39
Posts: 3,786
Karma: 4673
lunatik_69 has a reputation beyond reputelunatik_69 has a reputation beyond reputelunatik_69 has a reputation beyond reputelunatik_69 has a reputation beyond reputelunatik_69 has a reputation beyond reputelunatik_69 has a reputation beyond reputelunatik_69 has a reputation beyond reputelunatik_69 has a reputation beyond reputelunatik_69 has a reputation beyond reputelunatik_69 has a reputation beyond reputelunatik_69 has a reputation beyond repute


 
 
Send a message via Yahoo to lunatik_69
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by bmshehan View Post
Here goes the first of 1,000,000 opinions...
I agree with that statement but I can only express my opinion and exp. I use API for the most part(saltwater and reef master test) and I also use Salifert. I havent used Elos yet but Im curious. I disagree with bmshehan's statement about master test kits, API works fine.


_________

9YR OLD 90G 30G w/d Mag18 150G skimmer 692w MH,yel&kole tang,foxface,midas&convict blenny,B&G chromies,Blk/yel fin chromie blackcap,nemo,neon goby,6line; Blastomussa Merleti,Acan ,BUBBLE,Torch,LTA, Goniopora(2), Acropora(2),Brain, Moon, assort zoas, yel& G star polyps, R&G open brain, P&B ricordia, montiporas, cup&candy corals, enias,B/G mush,flower ane(2), cherry red mussa, dusters,cleaning crew
lunatik_69 is online now  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 03-17-2008, 07:53 AM   #7 (permalink)
Astrea Snail
 
chemicalblue's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Wake Forest NC
Age: 34
Posts: 28
Karma: 32
chemicalblue is on a roll


 
Default

Which website/vendor do you guys recommend to buy from on the web? I am looking for Ca and Magnesium test kits. I do not know the importance of magnesium. Why is it important?
chemicalblue is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 03-17-2008, 07:56 AM   #8 (permalink)
3reef Moderator
 
Jason McKenzie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Vancouver, BC,Canada
Posts: 4,139
Karma: 1909
Jason McKenzie has a brilliant futureJason McKenzie has a brilliant futureJason McKenzie has a brilliant futureJason McKenzie has a brilliant futureJason McKenzie has a brilliant futureJason McKenzie has a brilliant futureJason McKenzie has a brilliant futureJason McKenzie has a brilliant futureJason McKenzie has a brilliant futureJason McKenzie has a brilliant futureJason McKenzie has a brilliant future


 
 
 
 
Default

I recommend Salifert or Elso.

J


_________


started 8/7/02
370G 3x400W MH + 8X36W T5. ZEOvit System, Bubble king 300Ext, PM CAreactor, 2x Wavy Seas for return. OM 4-Way Closed loop.
My Tank Thread
Try a Search to see if your question has already been posted

My Tank Blog
Jason McKenzie is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 03-17-2008, 07:59 AM   #9 (permalink)
Kole Tang
 
reef_guru's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: joliet,il
Age: 41
Posts: 1,759
Karma: 1568
reef_guru has a brilliant futurereef_guru has a brilliant futurereef_guru has a brilliant futurereef_guru has a brilliant futurereef_guru has a brilliant futurereef_guru has a brilliant futurereef_guru has a brilliant futurereef_guru has a brilliant futurereef_guru has a brilliant futurereef_guru has a brilliant futurereef_guru has a brilliant future


 
 
Default

i only use salifert, have tried others.


_________

just one little sps frag tank with lots of goodies
reef_guru is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 03-17-2008, 08:37 AM   #10 (permalink)
Spanish Shawl Nudibranch
 
zubinmajor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Chennai, India
Age: 38
Posts: 76
Karma: 29
zubinmajor is on a roll


 
Default

I vote for API.


_________

90 gallon Reef tank.
LR 176lbs, Two percula Clowns, two Blue Damsels, One Tomato clown, One regal Blue Tang

Skimmer, RO, 2X150 MH at 14K, 4powerheads,2 dolphin 2300gph each, 2 canister filters, Undergravel filter

http://aquariumwaters.blogspot.com/
zubinmajor is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Reef Links
Click Here!
Reply


Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Water Chemistry, What A Ride lunatik_69 Water Chemistry 2 11-05-2007 01:38 PM
water alk test mattgeezer Water Chemistry 8 03-22-2007 05:28 PM
Common mistakes 4G1v3N General Reef Topics 5 02-14-2007 02:57 AM
Salifert test kits Poppy828 New To The Hobby 10 10-13-2004 06:57 AM
Tap Water Filter (deionizer) Apophis924 Product Review Archives 16 05-27-2004 12:29 PM


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 06:14 AM.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.8
Copyright ©2000 - 2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
LinkBacks Enabled by vBSEO 3.1.0,
----
All trademarks used are properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved.
All forum posts are the property of the posters. All else © 1996-2008, 3reef.com LLC.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74
Vote for 3reef!
(Clicking these counts as a vote)


And here too!