17cuddlefish
Member
Ok i am getting my 20 gallon long in a couple days. I am so exited!!! But the thing i need to know is what are the best test kits and the best salt. By the way the tank is a reef and i know i need a refractometer. Thanks
Best salt and test kits
- Thread starter 17cuddlefish
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17cuddlefish
Member
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natclanwy
Active Member
I have been using API test kits and have been very happy with them, one of the other local reefers using Hagen test kits and is happy with them also.
Salt is always a big controversy but I have used coralife, and Instant Ocean and I prefer the Instant Ocean disolves much better than the coralife did. My next bucket I am going to try Instant Ocean Reef Crystals some of locals have said that it has a higher calcium content & better assortment of trace minerals than the basic Instant Ocean so I will give it shot.
Salt is always a big controversy but I have used coralife, and Instant Ocean and I prefer the Instant Ocean disolves much better than the coralife did. My next bucket I am going to try Instant Ocean Reef Crystals some of locals have said that it has a higher calcium content & better assortment of trace minerals than the basic Instant Ocean so I will give it shot.
dse
Member
Originally Posted by natclanwy
http:///forum/post/2535526
I have been using API test kits and have been very happy with them, one of the other local reefers using Hagen test kits and is happy with them also.
Salt is always a big controversy but I have used coralife, and Instant Ocean and I prefer the Instant Ocean disolves much better than the coralife did. My next bucket I am going to try Instant Ocean Reef Crystals some of locals have said that it has a higher calcium content & better assortment of trace minerals than the basic Instant Ocean so I will give it shot.
i too am using api test kit. i think imo that they are the best for value.
and i too use instant ocean lmao is this guy copying me? lol
but i also use red sea too as i like both.
for the calcium build up do you use red sea coral trace and calcium+ 1 and 2?
as i've used them for my previouse tank and now too found it today in garge on self (forgot i had it)
these i found came in usefull.
i baught them simply because shop was having a mass sale and there was a 75% off the bottles so i thought ill try um.
they are quite good imo. each bottle will handle about 500 litres which is usefull.
but thats what i use to up my minerals for my tank.
http:///forum/post/2535526
I have been using API test kits and have been very happy with them, one of the other local reefers using Hagen test kits and is happy with them also.
Salt is always a big controversy but I have used coralife, and Instant Ocean and I prefer the Instant Ocean disolves much better than the coralife did. My next bucket I am going to try Instant Ocean Reef Crystals some of locals have said that it has a higher calcium content & better assortment of trace minerals than the basic Instant Ocean so I will give it shot.
i too am using api test kit. i think imo that they are the best for value.
and i too use instant ocean lmao is this guy copying me? lol
but i also use red sea too as i like both.
for the calcium build up do you use red sea coral trace and calcium+ 1 and 2?
as i've used them for my previouse tank and now too found it today in garge on self (forgot i had it)
these i found came in usefull.
i baught them simply because shop was having a mass sale and there was a 75% off the bottles so i thought ill try um.
they are quite good imo. each bottle will handle about 500 litres which is usefull.
but thats what i use to up my minerals for my tank.
matt b
Active Member
Originally Posted by CPG
http:///forum/post/2535517
reef crystals for salt
sailfert for test kits
+1
reef crystals or instant ocean its all about if you do not mind dosing extra. The BEST test kits are salifert but man are they PRICY!!! I use API and they work just fine
http:///forum/post/2535517
reef crystals for salt
sailfert for test kits
+1
reef crystals or instant ocean its all about if you do not mind dosing extra. The BEST test kits are salifert but man are they PRICY!!! I use API and they work just fine
17cuddlefish
Member
thanks
grim_reefer
Member
Originally Posted by CPG
http:///forum/post/2535517
reef crystals for salt
sailfert for test kits
+1 vote for me
http:///forum/post/2535517
reef crystals for salt
sailfert for test kits
+1 vote for me
gmann1139
Active Member
Test kits:
I'm not 100% sold on Salifert's ammonia/nitrite yet, but love their pH.
IO's ammonia and nitrite are much easier to read, but I've gotten bad batches of a couple of their test kits, so I wanted to try something else out for awhile.
IO's alkalinity is quite nice though.
Salt: Used IO up until now. No issues, especially after I started letting it 'age.' Oh, but I found your alkalinity will be low unless you keep your salinity at 1.025+.
I'm not 100% sold on Salifert's ammonia/nitrite yet, but love their pH.
IO's ammonia and nitrite are much easier to read, but I've gotten bad batches of a couple of their test kits, so I wanted to try something else out for awhile.
IO's alkalinity is quite nice though.
Salt: Used IO up until now. No issues, especially after I started letting it 'age.' Oh, but I found your alkalinity will be low unless you keep your salinity at 1.025+.
17cuddlefish
Member
gmann what do you mean by letting it age?
metweezer
Active Member
Originally Posted by AlohaMI
http:///forum/post/2536050
What is "best" is always a personal decision. That being said, I use Salifert tests and Tropic Marin Pro salt. I'm very happy with both.
Salifert & Tropic Marin Pro
gmann1139
Active Member
Originally Posted by 17cuddlefish
http:///forum/post/2536742
gmann what do you mean by letting it age?
When I first started I would mix up water right before the water change and dump it right in.
I've since acquired a 20 gallon Rubbermaid (with PH and heater) that I now keep SW in all the time, so its had to time fully mix the salt in before it goes into the tank.
It also has shortened my time for water changes considerably, since I can refill the Rubbermaid any time.
http:///forum/post/2536742
gmann what do you mean by letting it age?
When I first started I would mix up water right before the water change and dump it right in.
I've since acquired a 20 gallon Rubbermaid (with PH and heater) that I now keep SW in all the time, so its had to time fully mix the salt in before it goes into the tank.
It also has shortened my time for water changes considerably, since I can refill the Rubbermaid any time.
metweezer
Active Member
Originally Posted by aquaferg
http:///forum/post/2536839
As as test kits.. I am truly sold on Instant Ocean/ Aquarium Systems kits. They are very accurate and EASY. You don't have to compare colored water to paper. It is easier.
How do your test kits work
gmann1139
Active Member
Originally Posted by metweezer
http:///forum/post/2536935
How do your test kits work
You compare the 5 mL of water, mixed with a packet of test powder, vs. a piece of colored glass.
As I said already, they're great except for their pH. Mine never matched any color on the scale, even when I knew it was in range (from a 2nd test kit).
Oh, and I hated to wait the 15 minutes for the ammonia test. I'd start that, do all my testing and have most of my weekly maintenance done before it was finally ready.
17cuddlefish
Member
wow thanks guys for all the great help and responses.
17cuddlefish
Member
oh yeah by the way, what should i test for?