Test kits for hard core reefers?

[JY13131]

So what test kits do you need to use regularly if you want to keep SPS? And "hard core" means test kits for people with great interest, but no chemistry or technical knowledge!

[leveldrummer]

calium, alk, mag, and ph, thats about it other than the regular ones. i stopped using ammonia, nitrite and nitrate along time ago, i think my tank is pretty well cycled, and unless something horrible happens, i dont think ill see any of those three. (maybe nitrate)

its also a good idea to have a phos kit, just incase you start running into problems.

[crvz]

Salifert work great for anything you would need to test for. Most of them are quite simple, straightforward, and provide repeatable results (a few are complicated, such as strontium, but that would be true of any kit to test this element). Highly recommended. I'd get a calc, alk, mag, and nitrate.

[JY13131]

And is salifert the preferred test kit around here? Do they come one kit, or seperate products?

[JY13131]

Originally Posted by crvz

Salifert work great for anything you would need to test for. Most of them are quite simple, straightforward, and provide repeatable results (a few are complicated, such as strontium, but that would be true of any kit to test this element). Highly recommended. I'd get a calc, alk, mag, and nitrate.

[crvz]

Oh, and phosphate. pH test kits are a little flaky in my experience, but it's better than nothing. Most folks get a probe for monitoring pH.

I still measure nitrate and phosphate to ensure that my tank nutrients are low enough. If I register anything on either one, I know I need to make a few changes. I agree that ammonia and nitrite are probably pointless at this stage of reefkeeping, and I havent replaced those kits in a number of years.

[JY13131]

How does a probe work?

[crvz]

Originally Posted by JY13131

And is salifert the preferred test kit around here? Do they come one kit, or seperate products?

some folks will group them together for a discount (check out reefgeek), but I've never seen one kit for multiple tests. I mostly purchase them separately.

[ScruffyRubicon]

I like the Salifert as well. They each come in their own little seperate kit.

I was using another brand until a few months ago. Will never switch back.

[crvz]

Originally Posted by JY13131

How does a probe work?

chemically I dont know how they work, but essentially your purchase a monitor or controller (which range from $50 for a simple monitor to many hundreds for a complex tank controller) which comes with a probe that measures pH. You leave the probe in the tank and it will display the pH. Test kits for pH have a lot of problems with accuracy (although probes will need calibration from time to time).

[Fly Guy]

I test for calcium and alkalinity once every few weeks to make sure im dosing appropriately. Test mag once a month. Pinpoint PH monitors on both tanks.

My dosing schedule consists of simply dumping calcium, alk and mag in my sump every 1-2 days.

[JY13131]

Originally Posted by Fly Guy

I test for calcium and alkalinity once every few weeks to make sure im dosing appropriately. Test mag once a month. Pinpoint PH monitors on both tanks.

My dosing schedule consists of simply dumping calcium, alk and mag in my sump every 1-2 days.

I will take the word "dumping" figuratively

[dobejazz]

A pinpoint PH meter is the best I love mine !

[Fly Guy]

Originally Posted by JY13131

I will take the word "dumping" figuratively

Not really......i seriously dump it in out of a pyrex measuring cup. I do wait about ten minutes in between the alk and calcium parts though.

[mcliffy2]

Elos test kits are farily new, but I got one for kH and it is great, actually more simple than the salifert test kit...calibrated it against a salifert my friend brought over, and it was just as accurate. They are fairly new so a little more difficult to find...here is the company website: http://www.elosusa.com/