Testing parameters
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Help
Forum Name: General Help
Forum Description: The place to ask about pest, problems, hitchhikers, etc.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=72391
Printed Date: October 31 2024 at 8:32pm
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Topic: Testing parameters
Posted By: Reefer4Ever
Subject: Testing parameters
Date Posted: August 02 2014 at 7:54pm
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What is the best kit for checking water parameters? Is it better to get individual kits? I have read Hanna checkers are good. What is your experience with what worked and what didn't? Thank you ahead of time :) ------------- 90 gal reef w/refugium 24 gal softie tank 11 gal nano anemone tank 5 gal fresh water |
Replies:
Posted By: willstang
Date Posted: August 02 2014 at 8:54pm
| Red sea pro are good. I only use the Hanna checker for phosphates |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: August 03 2014 at 7:51am
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I agree the Red Sea Pro gives the best bang for the buck. Alk and Ca are all I test for these days and Mg infrequently. Red Sea even has affordable refills so we can use the syringes and bottles from the original kit. What about other tests? If we are staying on top of our biological filtration, other tests are needed so infrequently that it's more economical to take our water to a fish nerd friend  in the WMAS for a free test or to the LFS for a small fee. I haven't checked N pollution for ages, except a few months ago, just for kicks, I checked Nitrate. It was near zero. Aloha  ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
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Posted By: Fatman
Date Posted: August 03 2014 at 8:13am
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I have two Hannah checkers, one for phosphates and one for alk. I like both, but for Alk I usually just use the Red Sea Foundation kit since I'm checking the Ca and Mag and the Alk test is in the kit too. Red Sea seems to have a good fast flash in color that I like, one drop and it all changes so I am pretty confident in my readings. Others I've used start to turn and require a few more drops to complete the change so I sometimes wonder where I was supposed to take the reading. Gat ------------- February 4: Winter Banquet at the Living Planet Aquarium Tickets: http://utahreefs.com/store/index.php?route=product/category&path=36 |
Posted By: Ann_A
Date Posted: August 03 2014 at 9:03am
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I like Red Sea for Calcium, Alk, Mag, and Nitrate. I use the Hanna Checker for Phosphate and a probe for ph. Very rarely do I check for anything else besides salinity which is measured with a refractometer. ------------- http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=53856&title=annes-65g-rsm-reef" rel="nofollow - RSM 250 Reef |
Posted By: ReefdUp
Date Posted: August 03 2014 at 9:59am
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I use Red Sea for Calcium, Alkalinity, Magnesium, Iodine/Iodate, Potassium, and Iron. I use the Hanna Checker for Phosphate. I use a probe for pH and temp, and I use a refractometer for specific gravity/salinity. ------------- www.reefdup.com Diving since 2009, reefkeeping since 2007, & fishkeeping since 1987 200g, 75g, & 15g Systems PADI Advanced Open Water |