Water Test Kits? Help?

[dannyboi91]

Hi im relatively new to the hobby and am wondering about the best test kits for testing water quality, I have 2 55L tropical tanks
any advice would be much appreciated

 

[Peter C]

Liquid api water test kit off eBay

£25 delivered I paid for mine

 

[CichlidLover1995]

+1 to Peter. API Master Test Kit. Its super and always accurate!

 

[StandbySetting]

Do the right thing, and buy Salifert liquid test kits, comparing a Salifert liquid test kit to an API test kit is like comparing a Ferrari to a Fiat.

 

[Salam]

Liquid api water test kit off eBay

£25 delivered I paid for mine

Even cheaper on Amazon

http/www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000255NCI/ref=s9_simh_gw_p199_d0_g199_i1?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0G2CKE7XTRBB8H8FBPHY&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=467128533&pf_rd_i=468294

 

[dannyboi91]

thanks for the replies
how long on average do these tests last???

 

[Salam]

They last ages. From top of my head the ammonia gives you 130 tests, nitrite 180, nitrate 90 but not 100% sure. So basically, once you are cycled and only test once a week with two tanks they will last you a looong time.

 

[paulyoung666]

Do the right thing, and buy Salifert liquid test kits, comparing a Salifert liquid test kit to an API test kit is like comparing a Ferrari to a Fiat.

why ?? .....

 

[fluttermoth]

The Salifert tests are far more accurate than the API ones, they're also a lot more expensive though. For the bog standard tropical tank and owner, I believe the API one is perfectly adequate.

 

[StandbySetting]

It depends on where you are, in the UK the Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate and pH test kits can all be picked up for the same price as an API kit online, I recently bought mine for £20 posted. If you're in the US then go for the API as Salifert kits are extortionate over the pond.

 

[dannyboi91]

i am in the UK any links on the salifert ones???
and is there a kit with all the tests i need???

yep im a noooob lol

 

[CezzaXV]

The API one will have all the tests you need. Someone may point out that I'm wrong, but I'm under the impression that with the Salifert ones you have to buy them all separately.

To be honest, in a cycled tank accuracy of your test kit isn't a massive concern, as long as it'll accurately tell you whether there is or is not ammonia or nitrite. The only readings you really want to know are zero and not zero.

 

[StandbySetting]

No, but you need Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate, you can get any pH kit as they're all the same formulation.


http/www.surreypetsupplies.co.uk/salifert-ammonia-50-tests.html
http/www.surreypetsupplies.co.uk/salifert-nitrite-50-tests.html
http/www.surreypetsupplies.co.uk/salifert-nitrate-60-tests.html
http/www.surreypetsupplies.co.uk/interpet-ph-broad-test-kit.html

I just don't understand why everyone is so hell bent on spending the same sum of money for a test kit which isn't as good, seems a bit of a no brainer for me to buy the decent test kits at the same price, granted you have to pay for postage but Charter House Aquatics sell them at exactly the same price and if you spend £50 you get free shipping.

 

[dannyboi91]

thank you for the replies much appreciated

 

[OldMan47]

I am going to agree with StandbySetting here. The Salifert kits may be somewhat superior in accuracy but the API kits give adequate indications and, at least in the US, cost at least less than half as much. I use the API kit because I can afford to do so. For me it would almost be cheaper to lose lots of fish to contaminants than to pay for a Salifert kit, no matter how accurate it was. I have chosen to use what I must have in terms of accuracy but recognize that the readings that I get are less than ideal. As long as my fish are protected I am happy and I can get that minimal level of accuracy from the API kits.