nudge Posted January 3, 2012 Report Share Posted January 3, 2012 I currently use the api test strips to test my water every couple of weeks for my own peace of mind. I think they are kinda rubbish and hard to read. So i need to upgrade, was looking at the api master test kits that do ammonia, ph, nitrite and nitrate. Am wondering if i would be better off getting a gh/kh test kit and a nitate test kit instead. From what i understand gh/kh help to balance the ph and nitrate will tell me will tell me what condition the water is in. What does everyone else use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ichthus Posted January 3, 2012 Report Share Posted January 3, 2012 I don't really test the tanks I look after (my own, and a local school and kindy). Unless something goes wrong, I know if I don't overfeed, look after the filters and do a water change none of the fish are especially "precious". You could try a once-a-month test if a local pet store does them free? Personally I would just test ammonia/nitrite if I was concerned, and KH/PH if I had difficult fish or plants. Otherwise, if you really do have hardy cichlids, don't worry about it. I'll let someone else give you another opinion... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted January 3, 2012 Report Share Posted January 3, 2012 I never test my tank either but if something goes wrong knowing the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels can help diagnose the problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamstar99 Posted January 4, 2012 Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 Hi I use the API master kit and a Kh/GH hardness kit. I think you need to test your water at least for piece of mind if nothing else. Its reasonably important to have your Kh (carbonate) at a good level to stabilise your PH. Level of PH isnt really as critical as the stability. I think you should have both kits, no doubt you'll use them all at some stage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanjury Posted January 4, 2012 Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 I wouldn't bother either mate once you have experience and good stable cycled tanks and a maintenance schedule there is not allot of point in regular water testing. I haven't used a test kit in years.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueether Posted January 4, 2012 Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 Upuntill this monday I had never tested any of my tanks, but I saw an API master testkit on special so I grabed it. I now have conformation that my main tank is in a mini cycle after a complete teardown and move - something I new anyway. I did want to keep an eye on my big tank as I always have cyanobacteria (blue/green algee) in there. It is mostly unplanted though. What intrested me the most was that there is a large difference in ph between my two main tanks when I thought that they would be both would be about 6.6 - 6.8 The main tank is at a low 6.4 and the small torrie/bullie tank is at a very high 7.6 - both have driftwood and a sand/pebble substrate :dunno: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrahamC Posted January 4, 2012 Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 but I saw an API master testkit on special so I grabed it. Where? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueether Posted January 4, 2012 Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 Where? I hate to admit it but I was in at the new animates in hamilton on bridge street - $61-ish. :smot: man they look like a supermarket dont they? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamstar99 Posted January 4, 2012 Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 Yeah we have them at Reptilz in town here as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueether Posted January 4, 2012 Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 Yeah we have them at Reptilz town here as well. If I had of known that you had them for the same price I would have shopped local, oh well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamstar99 Posted January 4, 2012 Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 Sorry. Im not reptilz. They are just my local. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamstar99 Posted January 4, 2012 Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 Upuntill this monday I had never tested any of my tanks, but I saw an API master testkit on special so I grabed it. I now have conformation that my main tank is in a mini cycle after a complete teardown and move - something I new anyway. I did want to keep an eye on my big tank as I always have cyanobacteria (blue/green algee) in there. It is mostly unplanted though. What intrested me the most was that there is a large difference in ph between my two main tanks when I thought that they would be both would be about 6.6 - 6.8 The main tank is at a low 6.4 and the small torrie/bullie tank is at a very high 7.6 - both have driftwood and a sand/pebble substrate :dunno: could be plenty of reasons. amount of driftwood, nitrates, added salts? the main thing is that the Ph is stable. (carbonate levels) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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