Testing equipment (1 Viewer)

[David812]

Recently purchased 29biocube. Using all dry rock, wil get it curing today. Planning on keeping soft/lps. I’m looking for recommendations on testing equipment all I have so far is a refractomoter. Have been looking at Hanna phosphate tester to check progression of dry rock cure. Necessary? Would also like to know what else you guys are using. Thank you

 

[webster1234]

Hanna for PO4, and Salifert for Alk, Calcium, Mg, and Nitrates. API is fine for Ammonia. Some will tout Red Sea, but I have no experience with them.

 

[RobertP]

I was in your shoes just over a year ago when I started.
Since you just started I would stick with testing ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates at first. This will tell you when the cycle is complete. Get the cheapest kits you can find for ammonia and nitrites. Nitrates are more important but you want it when cycling. Then you want to watch the other levels like Alk, Ca, PO4, and nitrates. I check Mg once every few weeks.

I would start off with Salifert kits as well because they are cheaper and still accurate. The components are nicer on the Red Sea but I have trouble seeing the slight changes in all the color kits. So I rely heavily on my Hanna Alk and P04 testers. They are more expensive but I test my alk every 3 days or so and it is fast with the hanna. I use red sea for Ca, Mg, and Nitrates simply because it was the first kit I bought and I just keep buying refills.

Make sure you watch the expire dates on any liquid test kits you buy. Most I buy online expire in over a year but on store shelves they might sit. Oh and I have had ZERO luck using the hanna Calcium tester so cannot recommend that to anyone.

 

[Cody]

I would absolutely recommend salifert for Alk and Mg. For calcium, I use API. I've cross-referenced it twice against a Triton test and it's within +\- 10ppm. Close enough for me. Also, I use a Hannah for Alk these days. It's consistent with other test kits, and gives a nice digital readout. My wife can test for me when I'm out of town for work.

For phosphates, a Hannah is the gold standard. You will need this when making sure there aren't any phosphates bound in the rock. Dry rock sometimes has phosphates bound up in it, and will start leeching out into the water, if there are phosphates bound in the rock. If you see your phosphates going through the roof, then you'll have to take steps to remove it

 

[reeftopia]

He says softies only don't know why you would need calcium test kit.

 

[Bigfishy]

I agree with the Hanna phosphate checker and the nitrate checker. I have a hard time with the color compare so getting a number means more to me.


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[Cody]

I agree with the Hanna phosphate checker and the nitrate checker. I have a hard time with the color compare so getting a number means more to me.


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I use salifert for nitrates. The color change is dramatic enough for me, so I just use that one. Does the Hannah nitrate checker use a liquid or powder reagent? The only thing I don't like about their phosphate checker is that it uses powder.

 

[Bigfishy]

I use salifert for nitrates. The color change is dramatic enough for me, so I just use that one. Does the Hannah nitrate checker use a liquid or powder reagent? The only thing I don't like about their phosphate checker is that it uses powder.

It uses a powder


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[Cody]

It uses a powder


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I hate the powder. However, there are mini funnels that you can buy on Amazon for pretty cheap that help. The alk checker uses a liquid reagent, so I get spoiled seeing the difference.

 

[Bigfishy]

I hate the powder. However, there are mini funnels that you can buy on Amazon for pretty cheap that help. The alk checker uses a liquid reagent, so I get spoiled seeing the difference.

I agree the powder is a pain. I like the small funnel idea. Thanks!


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[reefling]

I would recommend the red Sea calcium, alk, and mag tests. I use API for nitrates. I have the salifert phosphate, Cal, alk, and mag right now. They are a little more cumbersome than red Sea. They are more expensive as well. The phosphate is not strong enough. I never register a color change. I will be doing red Sea next goaround. I never tested for ammonia or nitrite, as if you have nitrate, they should be good. I waited months before I added lots of stuff and I transferred an established tank to my tank. I figured at that point ammonia and nitrite were a waste of money.

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