test kits

by **blueshoes2208** » Sat Sep 13, 2008 5:20 pm

ok so i didnt know they made a billion diff test kits.... what the heck do i need to b looking at here??

by **schigara** » Sat Sep 13, 2008 8:11 pm

Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate. Most important!

Calcium, Magnesium and alkalinity.

I prefer Salifert brand. API is ok. Tropic Marin is very good as well as Elos.

by **blueshoes2208** » Sat Sep 13, 2008 9:49 pm

k so what is that like 40 bucks?

by **schigara** » Sat Sep 13, 2008 10:04 pm

The first 3 amm, nitrate and nitrite ar usually about 14-16 bucks each

Ca, mag and alk are about 17-22 bucks each

You only need the first 3 for now while your tank is cycling.

by **Snowboss4492** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 1:14 pm

so is this salifert test kit a powder medium or liquid?

i have the API liquid test kit and it seems to be testing bad - - my nitrates are showing 140-160 ppm .............i have an instant ocean powder medium kit as well {it's new} and the nitrates are showing 20-40 - -i ran the tests at the same time with the same water - - -and while i don't like the powder kits because it seems to leave some matierial in the little tiny foil packet and i'm affraid of not getting and acurate test - i just want to find the most dependable testing system { without spending hundreds of dollars on electronic meters right now}

you have any more of an opinion on any kits???

Boss

by **blueshoes2208** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 3:51 pm

so its better to get liquid kits??

by **schigara** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 5:04 pm

Yeah boss, I was referring to Salifert. They are the only ones I buy anymore.

I have had good luck with the API nitrate kit in the past. How old is your kit?

I like the Salifert kits because they are titration meaning, they make a drastic change from one color to another and you count the drops it takes to make the change. This is much more accurate than a kit where you have to compare the color in the tube to a gradient color chart.

by **Snowboss4492** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 7:10 pm

i think I'll order some of the salifert kits in a week or so ...........

the only numbers i can find on the nitrate bottles on the API are lot numbers

bottle #1 - 17A0607
bottle #2 - 1880907

does that mean anythng to you??

Boss

by **schigara** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 2:06 am

Don't know what those numbers mean.

by **blueshoes2208** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 3:26 am

are those the product numbers??

test kits

11 posts • Page 1 of 2

test kits

test kits

11 posts • Page 1 of 2