Test Kits

So general question. I have some api test kits for phosphate, nitrate and nitrite that i hate. it seems like they always read zero even when my tank is exploding with and algae bloom. So my question is are the salifert test kits easier to use and or do they give a more defined reading of what you actually have parameter wise? or is it just a more expensive test that my eyes still wont be able to see a color difference with?

i have used the salifert test kits for mag, alch and calcium but just havnt wanted to really spend the money on the others.

So what these good hobbyists are saying is that your testing is giving you correct results.

The growth in your tank is telling you what is happening.
A lot of algae growth says two main things. One, that there are not enough herbivores to eat the algae and two, that the biofiltration in the rock and sand may be inadequate.
How many snails are in this tank? What size is the tank? Are there any algae eating fish? How open is the sand? How much flow? Can we see a pic of the tank?

It's very unlikely that PO4(phosphate) is too high because algae eats that too.

There is no better way to clean the water than with Algae. There is no better way to clean up algae than with Herbivores. It's the cycle of life and it works perfectly.

You are doing well with the current test kits. I rarely test for more than Alk, Ca and Mg. I never test Ammonia, Nitrite, or Nitrate because I know that my tanks are set up with good biofiltration and because I see coral polyp extension and growth. I have the LFS test for anything else (PO4, I, Sr) once a year, maybe.

What is the Alk level?


Edited by Mark Peterson - July 18 2010 at 8:21am