What testing equipment is best to have for a newbie? It looks like I need 5 or more from what I see.

[prion27]

I'm trying to figure out what testing equipment you'd say are required to start up in saltwater with only fish at first. Not sure I am going into corals yet.

 

[isaacfish]

Hi so for a beginner salifert has pretty good test kits at a affordable price

 

[MoshJosh]

Salinity, calcium, alkalinity, nitrate, phosphate.

 

[isaacfish]

You would need:
Nitrate-No3
Ammonia-NH3
Phosphate-Po4
Alkalinity-alk
And ph

 

[isaacfish]

Of course salinity but calcium is mor for corals if your not going for them and your a beginner then you be good with the previous but calcium test can’t hurt

 

[Justfebreezeit]

Just for fish only to start your really only need ammonia test to cycle the tank.

I ran successful softie and fish tank for years without testing anything but temp and salinity and doing weekly water changes.

 

[lil sumpin]

A seachem ammonia badge will be good enough for a couple months. If you’re post cycle, nitrite testing is kinda unnecessary but nitrate is important to monitor. If you’re just finished cycling, the presence of nitrite will alter nitrate readings on some kits but overall nitrite is not much of an issue. You wanna keep track of nitrates and phosphates and keep nutrient levels in check as to not allow algae growth to explode. Salifert makes good kits and if you start keeping coral it may eventually help to get a Hanna tester for alkalinity.

 

[gbroadbridge]

I'm trying to figure out what testing equipment you'd say are required to start up in saltwater with only fish at first. Not sure I am going into corals yet.

For fish only, you simply need a reasonably accurate salinity measuring device. It does not need to be super accurate - just consistent.

Everything else will look after itself with a 10% water change once a week.

 

[moretor1]

I'm trying to figure out what testing equipment you'd say are required to start up in saltwater with only fish at first. Not sure I am going into corals yet.

Avoid api. I made the mistake of getting it and now I'm just waiting to run out

 

[Idech]

The Red Sea test kit includes alkalinity, magnesium and calcium. It is reliable and affordable.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I got the red sea master test kit and some basic test kits for nitrates etc..

 

[prion27]

Just curious, nobody mentioned a salinity test kit. Is that not something that anyone needed?

 

[prion27]

The Red Sea test kit includes alkalinity, magnesium and calcium. It is reliable and affordable.

Is this the test kit you bought?

RedSea Marine Care Test Kit​

 

[prion27]

I got the red sea master test kit and some basic test kits for nitrates etc..

Is this the kit you bought?

RedSea Marine Care Test Kit​

 

[Mschmidt]

for fish only, I'd test salinity, temp, nitrates.
soft coral I'd add phosphates
stony coral I'd add alk and calc.

 

[gbroadbridge]

Just curious, nobody mentioned a salinity test kit. Is that not something that anyone needed?

Post #8

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Is this the kit you bought?

RedSea Marine Care Test Kit​

I got the foundation pro, but that one I have heard is really good

 

[moretor1]

Just curious, nobody mentioned a salinity test kit. Is that not something that anyone needed?

Chewy sells a refractometer for fairly cheap. They need to be calibrated with distilled water not RO/DI every use

The floater type suck and I need a refractometer as well

My coralife salinity dropper worked for a while until it started showing wildly inaccurate results

 

[Idech]

Is this the test kit you bought?

RedSea Marine Care Test Kit​

No. This one :

RED SEA REEF FOUNDATION PRO MULTI TEST KIT (CA, ALK, MG)​

Red Sea Reef Foundation Pro Multi Test Kit (Ca, Alk, Mg)

2-10 Days Red Sea’s FOUNDATION PRO Multi Test Kit includes high accuracy titration tests for the accurate measurement of the elements calcium, magnesium and alkalinity (KH) which are the basic foundation elements of coral skeletons. All of these elements need to be available in balanced...

totalaquatics.ca

 

[prion27]

No. This one :

RED SEA REEF FOUNDATION PRO MULTI TEST KIT (CA, ALK, MG)​

Red Sea Reef Foundation Pro Multi Test Kit (Ca, Alk, Mg)

2-10 Days Red Sea’s FOUNDATION PRO Multi Test Kit includes high accuracy titration tests for the accurate measurement of the elements calcium, magnesium and alkalinity (KH) which are the basic foundation elements of coral skeletons. All of these elements need to be available in balanced...

totalaquatics.ca

Gotcha! Thank you!!!