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Advice needed regarding testing water parameters

2K views 7 replies 6 participants last post by  noledoc 
#1 ·
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Could some of you Big Brothers and Sisters weigh in on testing the waters? In all the ways that we should monitor a freshwater tank, from pH to GH, NH3, etc.
In particular I would like to know:
1. If one will need to run lots of tests, what is the most cost saving way to go?
2. Are there brands that have good reputations?
3. Are there ones to avoid?
4. Are there more expensive portable devices that can be used on different tanks?

Many thanks as always!
(Still two weeks away at least from moving back home.)
 
#2 ·
Sure, steer clear of test strips as they are worthless. The brand that I personally use on my 3 systems is "API Master Test Kit." It comes with Ph, Hight range Ph, Ammonia, Nitrate, and Nitrite. This is a solid inexpensive little kit that you can get almost anywear. I orderd mine from amazon.com as they had the best prices. Also if there are any other types of test kits that you want to test Gh, ect, I would still recomend that you go with any of APIs liquid test kits. Hope this helps and im certain that others here will have some good suggestions as well.
 
#3 ·
+1. The API F/W Master Test Kit is all I use also. I also purchased an API test kit for Gh & Kh, and only used it once. I already knew my water was as hard as concrete, the test confirmed, and that was the end of that testing, lol.
 
#5 ·
API mast test kit for sure. They also sell GH and KH liquid tests. AVOID TEST-STRIPS. They are notorious for being inconsistent in accuracy. There are electronic testing machines that can be bought, but i am unsure of how reliable they are. They sell for over 100USD though and many are specialized in just testing PH and few test for ammonia, nitrates, etc.

Cost wise, the most i have ever seen the API test kit was for 37USD at a petco. If tested once a week it last about 2 years and replacement bottles of the chemicals are available at most pet stores. Online, you can often find the kit for ~25USD.
 
#8 ·
API mast test kit for sure. They also sell GH and KH liquid tests. AVOID TEST-STRIPS. They are notorious for being inconsistent in accuracy. There are electronic testing machines that can be bought, but i am unsure of how reliable they are. They sell for over 100USD though and many are specialized in just testing PH and few test for ammonia, nitrates, etc.

Cost wise, the most i have ever seen the API test kit was for 37USD at a petco. If tested once a week it last about 2 years and replacement bottles of the chemicals are available at most pet stores. Online, you can often find the kit for ~25USD.
Thanks very much. I hope it's not as cold or icy on the roads up there as it is here in the app mountains.:blueworry:
 
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