Testing Kits

[MichaelJ]

I see alot of testing kits out there, is there a quality brand that is recommended? Also, do they come in packs that have all the kits in one package? I'm starting a 75g RR with some LR and a small amount of corals.
I'll start off with Anenome's at first with a few lbs of rock.

Michael

 

[MichaelJ]

Live sand as well....

 

[Hawkster]

I have had my best luck with Sailfert test kits, they are more expensive than some but seem to be the most accurate. You might want to rethink having Anenomes as your first animals in your tank, they are realtively sensitive in my limited experience.

 

[MichaelJ]

Recommendation

I have had my best luck with Sailfert test kits, they are more expensive than some but seem to be the most accurate. You might want to rethink having Anenomes as your first animals in your tank, they are realtively sensitive in my limited experience.

What would you recommend for a beginner? I was going to start off with a clown fish. But obviously I'll do what's best.

Michael

 

[TomD]

Ls

"I'll start off with Anenome's at first with a few lbs of rock."


Absolutely a bad idea. Good way to hurt the animal and foul up your tank. An anenome really should not be added until a tank is establsihed.

You should start with sand, LR, and cycle...3-6 weeks...hard to stay

Sailferts are suppose to be one of the best.

EDIT: Clowns are not a bad starter fish after the cycle.

 

[MichaelJ]

Yikes!

Don't want to do that..... Then what would a be a good starter fish?


Got it.... clowns and tank has cycled....

Thank You.

 

[MichaelJ]

I'll be getting my LR from Skiptons Pet Center in Dorchester.... and a handful of other stuff... I'll see if they have that test kit. I was wondering if anyone has gone there and how they compare with prices.. they did answer all my questions when I was there.

 

[BOSTONBAKEDBEAN]

damsles and cromis are the cheapest a clown will make u want to get a anemone.
which if the tanks new is gona die. same as coral. dont rush there are free bta's n coral like xenia all the time. hell u can have on of mine when your ready.
skiptons is awsome. but get your kits for now u wana watch the nitrates. there gona skyrocket. once they top out water change till there gone. dont syphon the sand be cause you take away all the bactria that are new to you tank.
with that said. time for sum reasrch son.. theres so much info on this site n the net about lighting, cycleing, easy coral equipment, ect. so be patient ittl prob be a few weeks-month till the tanks ready for inverts.

in the mean time tom said you can go stare at his tank till yours is ready.

hehe

 

[BOSTONBAKEDBEAN]

side note for a beginer salifert could be overwelhming to test with. there multi part tests. for the cycle just got grab a redsea test kit there cheap easy.

n noooooi dont spell check

 

[Lil Shark]

Elos is drop by drop. very user friendly and accurate. Redsea can be inaccurate and i tend not to recommend it

 

[TomD]

cycle

Well yes but Damsels are not always the best fish in the long run for some.

For the cycle you want to test for amonia. It will have a spike followed by Nitrites. When both those are gone you will have a spike in Nitrates. Then you do a good waterchange and you can add a fish. That whole process could be as fast as 2 weeks or as long as 6 weeks depending on what you are using to cycle. Uncured LR etc......

After the cycle you can add begginer corals like zoos, softies....and take it from there.

 

[MichaelJ]

Awsome....

I'll take the advice and go with it..... You guys are awsome!

Thank You .. Have a good night.

P.s I don't spell check eether

 

[BOSTONBAKEDBEAN]

for a cycle its fine ur just watching nitrates. not like rock need accuracey

trying to help out.

 

[TomD]

Aaron why are you watching nitrates during a cycle? Nitrates are going to spike anyway, they can't harm anything in the cycle. When amonia(Toxic), nitrite(Toxic) is 0, cycle is done.

 

[ReeferDude]

can a cycle be as quick as 1week cause ive been testing my 45 cube and its been up for 2 weeks with 2 blue green chromis in it and the reading on everything is 0

 

[MichaelJ]

for a cycle its fine ur just watching nitrates. not like rock need accuracey

trying to help out.

I appreciate your help , believe me.

 

[MichaelJ]

cured LR

I'm going to use cured LR from Skips.... and Live sand. How long do you think it would take for the tank to cycle? Just trying to get a bearing on this.