Test Kits

[Beano1169]

Hey all I am just curious about what Test kits are the best for a nano reef tank sysytem. I am currently building up my supplies for an 18 gallon set up that will be housing mainly softies and possibly a frogspawn and maybe a few lps corals. I will be running a fluval 206 canistar and a modded Aquaclear 110 for my refugium for added flow i have a 240 gph koarlia powerhead. What test kits are the best for read-ability and consistantcy?? I have heard red sea is the best but I was hoping to get a master kit with all that i needed enstead of buying them all seperate. thanks a bundle


I was also curious about heating, I am looking at a finnex titainium heater 100watts, is this too powerful for an 18 gallon tank? what are the best heaters for intank, and what is the best inexpensive protien skimmer for hangon systems.
-Jayden

[mrhasan]

I use API saltwater master kit and I should say they are good (although not very accurate) for beginning a tank. Red seas are the best (and very expensive) but I don't think it is necessary till you keep very delicate livestocks.

I use a mariland 50W heater in my 20long and it always keep smy temperature at 78F. Although 100W is suggested for a 20long, but 50w does the job for me.

For protein skimmer, you can get rio HOB ($40) to reef octopus (~$150). Obviously the more expensive ones is going to be better. But just my personal opinion, I don't think you would need expensive ones because once in a while, you will have to change your water and the water might not have enough debris to be skimmed by the expensive ones. I use rio nano skimmer and is very pleased it with (bang for the buck!).

[FitoPharmer]

I also suggest API for the common tests like ammonia, nitrite, nitrate.
But for anything like calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium levels I prefer Red Sea. They offer great value for price compared to other brands like Elos IMO.
I am going to try out their coloration pack once I get more SPS since I was so impressed with the reef essentials bundle.

[Beano1169]

Thank you very much for the feed back thats awesome news Im heading to Big al's and Pices tomorrow to get some stuff for my 18 gallon as well as my new start up 2.7 gallon

Ill make sure to get some good API testers and reasea for sure later.

[mrhasan]

Pisces is just TOO expensive :| (I don't know why but their tag price is always like 25% more than big Al's).

[Beano1169]

Thanks thats great to know I am going to Big Al's first anyways so thats a bonus to know.
I am also wondering about the flow rate I need in my 18 gallon sumpless, as well as Im doing a 2.7 pico tank with a ac 30 hob and the fluval led fixture from the spec (2gallon) What is the suggested live stock for a pico???

Any other helpful hints or information I can get on the hobby would be greatly valued and utilized Thanks again for all the wonderful help.

[mrhasan]

When you go to Big Al, talk with Jeff (the fish manager). He is as AWESOME guy and always gives you the BEST advice and will not just try to sell you stuffs (he always stops me from buying things that I would think is necessary but actually not).

For my 20long I have the following stuffs to aid the flow:
1. 2x125gph aqueon HOBs
2. 1x110gph rio nano skimmer
3. 1 maxijet 400 (110gph)

But you can obviously add more (I have seen people using two koralia 2x240gph).

For the pico, you can take suggestions from this link:
http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/inde...opic=74703&hl=

[Beano1169]

Thanks a bunch Thats awesome info. I hope you dont mind all my senseless questioning. I just dont wanna spend all this time and effort and have it fail.

[mrhasan]

Haha. Talking about "senseless question", I am a newby in saltwater too so nothing seems like a "senseless question" to me :P

[Beano1169]

ok heres one for you, for my pico should I mod my ac 30 into a refugium or leave it as is?? pros cons??