We have good tasting well water here and it seems to be reasonably soft. We've never had the need to condition it and it suds up readily. I know it we had a water report on it when we purchased the house back in 2003 but haven't had it tested since. I should really have it tested again.
I'd like to get some recommendations on test kits for the aquarium. I think I need to have some general idea of where things are and heading beyond just looking at plant and fish condition until I get some experience plus the obvious need for caution when cycling a new tank, big rescapes or bioload addition. Once I get in the ballpark I don't expect to be a testing obsessive.
I was thinking of starting with kH, gH, pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate.
I have several questions:
Am I on the right track?
Do I need to do liquid kits or are test strips adequate?
Are API liquid or strips acceptable for the purpose?
Other alternatives and suggestions welcomed!
Thanks
Jim (working on leveling the stand today)
Test Kits?
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Jim Miller
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Cristy Keister
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The liquid test kits seem to be more accurate than the strips. API kits are fine - kH, gH, pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate are what you should have. If you have planted tanks, you may also want to test for phosphate. The Seachem Phosphate Multi Test Kit is probably more accurate than the API kit, though I find that it's also a little hard to read.
If you want to get more serious about testing, you can get a TDS meter (total dissolved solids). Personally, I think the liquid tests are adequate.
If you want to get more serious about testing, you can get a TDS meter (total dissolved solids). Personally, I think the liquid tests are adequate.
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Ben Belton
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I only test for KH, pH, nitrate, and phosphate. I really should probably get a GH test kit, but everything seems to be going good. I add some calcium and magnesium when I change water, and I guess my GH is OK.
I'm not sure which test strips you are looking at, but some I've bought in the past had too wide a range on it for our use. The KH went from like 10-20 and 20-30 when we want to know 1, 2, or 3.
I have LaMotte test kits for nitrate and phosphate because 10 years ago when I got them, they were considered the best and the others were not thought to be worth anything. I suspect the state of things has changed by now. I'd get whatever is cheapest for KH, pH, and GH.
I'm not sure which test strips you are looking at, but some I've bought in the past had too wide a range on it for our use. The KH went from like 10-20 and 20-30 when we want to know 1, 2, or 3.
I have LaMotte test kits for nitrate and phosphate because 10 years ago when I got them, they were considered the best and the others were not thought to be worth anything. I suspect the state of things has changed by now. I'd get whatever is cheapest for KH, pH, and GH.
