What to look for in a test kit

There are many different brands and styles of water test kits on the market and it can be confusing trying to choose what type or what brand you need. The two main types there are to choose from are, Dip strips and Titration tests. Dip strips test require you to remove a sample of water and dip a paper or cardboard strip in the sample and wait for a reaction/color change. Titration test have you remove a water sample and either add a predetermined amount of reagent and compare the end result to a color chart, or drip the reagent in the water sample and count the drops or measure the amount added untill a color change/reaction occurs.

Dip strips can be useful for quick testing when you want a ballpark water quality assessment. However dip strips are generally regarded as less accurate. If your willing to sacrifice accuracy for convenience then this type of test may work for you but i wouldn't recommend this type of test if you are just entering into the hobby or if you are cycling a new tank. If you are new to salt water aquariums or are cycling an aquarium then you really should pay close attention to your water quality. After your aquarium is established and you are more comfortable with how water chemistry works and you have a better sense of how your tank inhabitants behave when they are healthy and water quality is good it may be fine to use the Dip strip tests for quick ballpark testing. I would recommend that if you do choose to use these types of tests, that you also test you water periodically with a higher quality test kit, just for peace of mind.

Titration test kits cost a little more then dip strips and are also a little more work but in my opinion they give better, more accurate results. Some will have you take a certain amount of water and add x amount of drops, scoops of reagent and then look at a color chart and compare the color of the sample to a color on the chart for your result. Others will have you take a sample and either count the drops added or measure the amount added after a color change.

Some things to consider when using titration test kits.

How easy is it going to be to differentiate between the end point colors?

When you go to purchase a titration kit from your LFS, bring it up to the counter and open the box. Read the directions and look at the color chart provided. If the color chart is all different shades of purple or blue or any other color it can be hard to determine the exact value of the result. Trying to differentiate between shades of the same color is not easy and the lighting you are under can effect how you see the color. I prefer test that have a sharp color change, ie. when you start the test the sample is pink, after you start adding the reagent and reach the saturation point the sample turns blue.

How does the kit provide the result?

If the results are given in anything other then a numerical value IMO the results are worthless. I know of a few test kits that give results like, "Low, normal, high". These test aren't really telling you anything so make sure the results are given in a numerical form.

What test kits should i have?

If you are new to salt water aquariums or are cycling an aquarium you should at least have an ammonia, nitrite and nitrate test kit's. These kits will help you track the nitrogen cycle and help you monitor that your biological filtration system is functioning properly.

Along with the above three kits you should have PH, Alkalinity, Magnesium and Calcium test kit's. These kit's allow you to monitor some of the major elements necessary for calcification.


If you have questions about what levels you should try to keep your aquarium see Aquarium Water Chemistry

In closing, i would suggest that before you buy a test kit open the kit and read the instructions and look at how you arrive at the results. You don't want to spend $15,$20 or more just to get home and find the testing procedure is complected or has you choose from six different shades of gray. Also check the expiration date and make sure the kit is still good. The reagents these kits use don't last forever so an out of date kit should not be purchased or used. Once you find a kit that you like, is easy to use and read, stick with it.

Salifert all the way for cheapness with accurate readings.IMHO

Seachem reef status test kits

how easy is salifert to use???
b/c i have a red sea alk kit that's ridiculously complicated, compared to api. same results w/both.

salifert is easy to use IMO

Originally Posted by Thinkin Reef

Seachem reef status test kits

Expensive and not accurate. I spent $65 on a calcium test kit, and it was good for 1 test. Mate salifert are half the price, and more reliable.

Originally Posted by shmoliken

how easy is salifert to use???
b/c i have a red sea alk kit that's ridiculously complicated, compared to api. same results w/both.

Salifert is nice and easy to use, especially the alk kits. There isn't much better on the market for ease of use and price.

Yepper Salifert is the ticket, Lamottes are accurate but very dificult to use.

Originally Posted by blacjack

Expensive and not accurate. I spent $65 on a calcium test kit, and it was good for 1 test. .

LOL really ? as it has a calibrated solution as well .

Mine works great

Mine was a contaminated batch, that Seachem refused to replace, even after I quoted the test kit numbers, which coincided with the numbers on their site of contaminated kits. I refuse to use their kit's again, plus, like I said, Salifert are half the price, and less work. The magnesium kit is ridiculous.

Ive used seachem kits in the past and they worked fine for me but i agree that their Mag kit is ridiculous. What a pain in the butt that test is.

I have a mixed bag of API and Seachem. The Seachem combo Mg2+, borate, carbonate kit isn't that easy to use. The syringes always have a bubble that you cannot remove when titrating so you almost always have to estimate the last decimal place. If your the kind that doesn't like math or chemistry lab I would suggest kits that titrate by drops instead of milliliters.