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Test Kits & Testing the Aquarium Water
What are the best test kits to buy? How often should test readings for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH, salinity, other "standard" saltwater as well as additionally required advanced "reef" tank water parameters be performed? These and other questions about test kits and testing the water of saltwater systems are answered here.
Testing Aquarium Water
Debbie and Stan discuss the importance of testing the basic water parameters and other chemical elements in saltwater fish-only and reef tanks. Included are easy to read charts that outline how often tests should be performed, which test kits are recommended, and what the suggested acceptable range test results are.
Test Kits Poll
Participate in this quick poll created by your About Guides to tell them and other aquarists which brand name of test kits you use, or just view the polling results to get a general consensus on which brands are most popular.
Test Kit & Testing Recommendations
These fish-only and reef tank charts compiled by Debbie and Stan provide recommendations in which test kits an aquarist should have, how often each type of test should be performed, and what the acceptable test results are suggested for each type of test taken. Set up in an easy to read and understand table style format.
Beginner Test Kit FAQs
From Thomas Sasala's Beginner FAQs, Thomas discusses recommended useful starter test kits and outlines the use of individual ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH tests, as well as option general hardness and carbonate hardness test kits a new aquarist might consider having.
Conversion Tables
From the FINS Reefkeepers FAQs, useful tables to convert Alkalinity from meq/l to ppm and KH, Nitrogen as Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate, and Calcium from meq/l to ppm and dH.
Efficacious Water Quality Control
By Albert Thiel, in this article he discusses the importance of regular water testing, which is a key to water quality control, along with which tests should be done and how often they should be performed.
Testable Parameters
Under the FINS Reefkeepers FAQs Testable Paremeters section you'll find information about testing alkalinity, calcium, pH, nitrates, phosphates and specific gravity (salinity).
The Basic Parameters
From the Beginning Saltwater FAQs by Thomas Sasala, this is an excellent article that outlines the testing and acceptable ranges of basic parameters in saltwater aquariums - pH, nitrates, specific gravity (salinity), temperature, alkalinity and calicum.
Water Testing - What to Look For
From Winston Schoenfeld's Suite101 articles, Winston touches on the importance of performing water changes, then outlines what tests are recommended for all aquariums and those needed for saltwater and reef tanks.
What Are Good Test Kits?
From the FINS Reefkeepers "Questions and Answers" section, their recommendations for the best Test Kits to use for accurate Phosphate testing, as well as many other tests.
Fish-Only Tank Test Kit Recommendations Chart
These fish-only and reef tank charts provide recommendations in which test kits an aquarist should have, how often each type of test should be performed, and what the acceptable test results are suggested for each type of test taken. Set up in an easy to read and understand table style format.