Test Kit Needed?

[TheRedDarren]

Hey oop,

I seem to be going more and more high tech with a c02 unit in the post now too, I'm dosing macro and micro etc, so should I get a full test kit to see what I should be dosing extra/less of? If so what would you recommend?

Thanks guys.

 

[RadaR]

Nope.
Waste of money. Your plants, fish and any algae will tell you if something isn't right.

Have a look at the algae guide in my sig. Plants, fish and algae don't lie whereas test kits can be innaccurate.

Ammonia and nitrite aren't that bad a test kit to have but everything else simply is not needed especially nitrate and phosphate test kits.

Under dosing nutrients is far worse than overdosing. EI dosing method is based on overdosing to an excess to ensure there are no nutrient deficiencies. Do they have fish dieing from this overdose? Nope.

There are guidelines for how much to dose (see here). Observe and act accordinly. If you see deficiencies and algae attributed to too lower nutrients, then dose more.