Recommended Testing Kits and Equipment?

[ShadowMac]

What test kits are recommended to have on hand for every serious planted tank keeper?

I'm fairly sure my Red Sea Fresh test kit may have expired reagents and probably wasn't that great to start. What brands for each kit would be best?

Here is a list of items I thought of:

pH test, KH test, GH test, Nitrite, Nitrate, Ammonia, PAR meter

Other recommended equipment and brands? I have a pH probe, but would like a test to verify my calibration of it.

Thanks for the help.

[Gbark]

I use a pH probe it is a hanna

I also use the palintest comparitor for nitrate, nitrite, NH3, pH can be used for other tests but i dont have the discs

for Kh and GH i use sera and palintest.

[GillesF]

Why would you want test kits? Save the money, spend it on dry ferts (you'll get plenty for the price of those testers) and dose the EI, no need for testing ferts. If you keep the filter/tank clean you won't need ammonia or nitrite testers either.

[Gerryd]

A 'serious' aqaurist doesn't need any stinking test kits

Honestly, I agree with GillesF and to spend your money elsewhere. Better c02 hardware, filter, something.

That being said, my PAR meter was an excellent investment and that I can recommend.

My ph meter I don't use anymore....but they are useful when dialing in/adjusting c02..

Unless of course you want to test and learn/understand how things change over time. Not sure your goal...

[ShadowMac]

I use EI dosing and understand it makes testing unnecessary. Honestly, it is more to satisfy my own curiosity. KH and pH primarily for double checking CO2. I do fairly well without testing and haven't put too much stock in needing to do it. It would be interesting to check parameters between a couple tanks as well...again for my own curiosity's sake.

So you could say my goal is to tinker around and entertain myself with stupid numbers