Recommendations on Equip

[SlingingBuddha]

I need a new test kit & powerheads
(currently using API test kit & 2 jvp 101 powerheads)

 

[SlingingBuddha]

Sorry I have a 55g tank

 

[Flare1185]

I've heard good things about salifert and red sea test kits.

 

[iTzJu]

Saliferts test kits are awesome but for the price, I say just invest in some Hanna Checkers (Alk, Cal, and Phos). Those are really the main things you test for once your tank cycles. quick, easy, and gives you actual numbers. As far as powerheads, what do you plan for your tank? SPS, LPS, Softies or Mixed? those two JVPS are fine if you plan on just softies and some LPS. If you are going more of an SPS route, I would supplement those with maybe two more down the road. If you're looking for different powerheads, look at Koralia Evos, Sicce Voyagers, Tunze and Vortechs.

 

[SlingingBuddha]

i thhink im going to invest in the hanna ones which give you actual numbers, would you mind checking out these links to ensure they are the correct ones before purchase since theres a couple different ones

http://www.hannainst.com/usa/prods2.cfm?id=030011&ProdCode=HI 758
http://www.hannainst.com/usa/prods2.cfm?id=024015&ProdCode=HI 713
http://www.hannainst.com/usa/news.cfm?Id=36

 

[fatoldsun]

The Hanna Calcium isn't very good. It's really finicky to use and my tests tend to be all over. Search RC - bad reviews FAR outweigh good. There's a thread on RC where some engineer developed an alternate method. Hanna said its acceptable but it also seems too difficult. I'm colorblind so I hate the RedSea/salifert and still I'm not sure I'll order reagent for it.
The phosphate's ok. Jumps around a bit. The margin for error can be frustrating. .07 once. 0.0 just 10 minutes later from the same sample. Alk is the best one IMO. also had Jeff who's a founder of Marine technical Concepts (where my Ca reactor's from) say he doesn't see the point in testing Ca as long as hardness/Alk is where you want it. Wish I had that convo before I got the Ca checker

 

[SlingingBuddha]

What test kits would you recommend? I just hate using this chemical kit because the colors sometimes don't match up & it's open to interpretation at that point that's why I was looking for something digital

 

[grink]

I use all three Hanna. No issues, just follow the directions.

 

[natesreef]

I would say to order the Red Sea pro kit for mag, cal, and alk. And get a Hanna phosphate checker

 

[jgraz]

I would say to order the Red Sea pro kit for mag, cal, and alk. And get a Hanna phosphate checker

That's the combo I have also.

 

[CFM6793]

That's the combo I have also.

same here but the checker is just a paper weight.

 

[SlingingBuddha]

Alright sounds good, I'll look into those test kits. I'm new to the hobby so it always makes me nervous when my levels aren't perfect

 

[fatoldsun]

What test kits would you recommend? I just hate using this chemical kit because the colors sometimes don't match up & it's open to interpretation at that point that's why I was looking for something digital

well, I have the 3 checkers and the red sea kit as well - with the checkers, I try to be very careful and follow the directions. Of course different people have different experiences but I have been uncomfortable with the Ca checker, enough so that I double check with the Red Sea - sort of pointless to do both but here are my results from my last few tests - at least my Red Sea is consistent

8/4 Red Sea 390

8/16 Hanna 550

8/17 Hanna 463
8/17 Red Sea 390

11/28 Hanna 526
11/28 Red Sea 390

for sake of comparison, Alk dkh:

8/16 10.75

9/28 9.97

10/26 9.46

11/28 8.96

-so I can only offer my experience -- some people are very happy with the checkers but for me, I wish I had saved the $50 I spent on the Ca and put it elsewhere. I will say that if you watch the forums you regularly see folks selling them at a discount