Wolfgang8810

should i invest in a liquid test kit im in the process of setting up a reef tank. The people at the store said that the strips are good enough.

pistorta

Test strips are very convenient to use but I think the color comparison scale leaves a lot of room for inaccurate readings. The most accurate test kits in my opinion are those that use titration (when you count the number of drops you add to the water sample to force a color change) rather than color comparison.

agsansoo

I agree with pistorta. I use test strips (5 in 1) only as a quick check, like before work or school. When I don't have the time to use a more accurate test kit. I would recommend the Salifert line of test kits, for accuracy.

Wolfgang8810

so i should pickup a saltwater test kit like this?

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...52&pcatid=4452

agsansoo

That's a good start. I like API also.

Wolfgang8810

i havea master freshwater test kit from api. should i go with the saltwater one too? What are the major things i would need to test for? ph, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, po4, what else?

pistorta

In my opinion, carbonate hardness and general hardness are more important to test for than phosphate (unless you have an algae problem you can't figure out).