Water Testing Kits?

[doresy]

Ok I will try to set this post again without upsetting anybody. I have been keeping fish for about 4 years and have grasped some of the extensive finer details of this interest. I think I have a great tank(although it's bright, artificial only, plants may not suit everyones taste)...Aqua One 850 (155 lts) My general stock is nothing fancy. Neons, Harliquines, Foxes, Platys, Guppies, Bronze and peppered catfish and a corydoras. 22 fish in all. In the begining I knew I had to build up bacteria so I just waited for everal weeks then added fish. All has been well ever since. Lost a couple of platys last year but they where passed on to me so age may have been a factor. I do water (from shop) changes and clean media in the advised manner. Since being involved in this forum it has dawned on me that there is so much more invoved and my success is probably just luck. As I want to be a little more adventurous in my 'MID-TANK' stock (SUGGESTIONS)I had better take more steps to check the water condition.
I am guessing that a good place to start is puchasing a testing kit so,
ANY RCOMMENDATIONS?

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

The Master water quality testing kits are good (the one with the test tubes and variety test kits inside the box)- i would advise avoiding the paper strip test water quality testing kits as these tend not to be very accurate, the test tube ones are much better.
You should have the gear to test for ammonia, nitrites, nitrates and ph accuratley as these are the most important things to test for in general.
I would also advise reading up on this article on cycling tanks properly and avoiding new tank syndrome, mini cycles etc as it will also explain how the water chemistry works in your tank and so on and so forth ;
Water chemistry in your tank explained;

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=10099

Pinned articles links in beginner section;

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=88643

 

[doresy]

The Master water quality testing kits are good (the one with the test tubes and variety test kits inside the box)- i would advise avoiding the paper strip test water quality testing kits as these tend not to be very accurate, the test tube ones are much better.
You should have the gear to test for ammonia, nitrites, nitrates and ph accuratley as these are the most important things to test for in general.
I would also advise reading up on this article on cycling tanks properly and avoiding new tank syndrome, mini cycles etc as it will also explain how the water chemistry works in your tank and so on and so forth ;
Water chemistry in your tank explained;

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=10099

Pinned articles links in beginner section;

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=88643

great info off to shops tomorrow. Good links too...how little I know 4 years in the making but I'll get there....cheers (it's what this is all about)

 

[Griz]

My advice is to get yourself a Master Test Kit to start out with. Test everything and often and get to know your tank and the kits. Test before and after water changes and test your tap water too. As time goes on, you will get a feel for things; every tank is different. You will likely end up as a lot of us have, testing very infrequently, only when there is a problem of just to check on things once in a while. You can then just purchase the specific tests (pH, Nitrates, etc) that you need or want. Take the opportunity to read up on water chemistry, it can be a very interesting subject if you're into that sort of thing and can be valuable knowedge especially if you want to get into more difficult fish down the road.