Calcium and dkh test kits

[2639]

After looking for about an hour online at all the varieties of test kits, Isimply can't decide what to buy. I'm thinking that the master test kit from Salifert is probably the best for the money.

Can anyone suggest a good series of tests? I want something that's easy to read and I need a good range of tests.

Thanks!

[cich1]

i like the Salifert test, abit more tedious to use than the AP test but i think thats where their accuracy lies and the color change is fairly easy to see even with my poor eyesite

[cich1]

once you're through the cycle i wouldn't worry to much about am. and nitrite, they should always remain zero. phosphate and nitrate are important when you begin to battle algea, once you begin stocking corals magnesium, calcium and KH/alkalinity become important as they need to be in balance to maintain correct levels, strontium is important too but i find regular wc keep this up to acceptable levels and if you're planning alot of softies at some point you may want to add iodine to the list.
oh yeah ph and salinity are always important.
if you haven't got a refractometer yet i would buy that first off because most of the other test mean nothing if you can't accuratly measure SG,
besides you'll sleep better at night knowing your SG is right.
Drs. Foster and Smith is a sponser here and they usally have a ATC refractometer for around $40, i bought one when i first started and in over a year and a half i have not needed to recalibrate it