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Here are a few test kits I recommend. They’re all easy to use, accurate and complete. ICP Water Analysis Kits  The ICP Water Analysis Kits have become popular over the last several years. To use, you fill the included vial with your aquarium water then mail the test vial to ICP-Analysis. They test your water and email you the results.ICP Analysis tests for 33 different elements. The elements include some commonly tested elements, such as magnesium and potassium, and some elements such as bromine and selenium that are not commonly tested. They display your test results alongside natural sea water levels from different parts of the world. I was originally skeptical about the test’s usefulness because I couldn’t see anyone noticing their bromine was low and then regularly dosing bromine. But I decided to give it a try. My first test revealed my tank was relatively in line with seawater levels except my lithium was 4.36 ppm, which is over 15 times higher than natural sea water. That level was toxic enough to harm fish and coral. After some research I found that this is a common problem with low quality impure magnesium supplements. I switched from what I was using to the tried and true Brightwell Magnesion P I had used for years. After a few months, I tested my water again. My lithium levels had come back down to natural seawater level of .33 ppm. There is definitely a deeper level of insight into our aquariums from using ICP tests. Testing a reef tank every few months with an ICP test can confirm your handheld kits are working and alert you to unseen problems that handheld kits can’t. If you would like to try an ICP Water Analysis Kit, Vasca has some sample tests to give away. Simply request a sample in the comments section when you submit your next order, and we will include the sample with your order (while supplies last). Red Sea Foundation and Algae Control Test Kits  Working at a local store I often found customers asking for advice on which tests to perform. My standard answer was to test for ammonia and nitrite with new tanks, and calcium, alkalinity, magnesium, nitrate, and phosphate on an ongoing basis. When customers heard they needed seven kits they were resistant. But when they heard they only need to purchase TWO items, they were more responsive. With Red Sea, to get the seven tests, you only need to purchase these two items: the Red Sea Foundation Pro Test Kit (calcium, alkalinity & magnesium), and the Algae Control Test Kit (phosphate & nitrate).I also like how the Red Sea Test Kits come in hard-shell, water-resistant cases with water resistant instructions instead of cardboard boxes and paper instructions. Being able to just purchase only the Red Sea Reagent Refills help keep the long term costs down. Milwaukee Seawater (Salinity) Refractometer  The Milwaukee Seawater (Salinity) Refractometer is my favorite salinity tester. I first used one at the local fish store where I worked because we wanted an accurate standard for store use. I never truly appreciated this device until I had surgery on my dominate eye to fix a detached retina. Since then it has gotten increasingly hard to read a standard refractometer. The digital display is so much easier to read. I also noticed that when I would test water samples for customers, they were much more confident of the results when they saw they came from the digital reader rather than my handheld meter.
CO2 Drop Checkers  While I am a reef guy, I also enjoy planted aquariums. When I first started keeping water plants, I decided I should try adding CO2 since all of the best planted tanks I had seen used it. I didn’t realize how complicated adding the right amount of CO2 would be. I initially was told to use comparison charts where you take your pH reading and GH reading and then follow them to the point of intersection on the chart to find the CO2 level. Thankfully, I eventually found an Ista CO2 Indicator. The CO2 indicator is a small plastic container that suction cups to the glass. You fill the container with reagent, flip it upside down, and then leave it in the tank. The reagent changes colors: yellow for too much CO2, blue for too little CO2, and green if the level is perfect. This is by far the easiest way to know if a planted tank is receiving enough CO2. Anyone who is adding CO2 should have one.
-Jaron Hudson, [email protected], VASCA Aquarium Supply |
