I plan on housing sps, lps, and soft corals. Can anyone provide test kit recommendations? I need to know what I need to test for and what are the better kits.

if your just starting out, i would suggest you buy one of the master test kits, it should have all the basics with the old except of PO4 (phosphate)
Master test kit just means its go most of the essentials in a neat package.

Are you just starting out in the marine hobby?
Are you aware of the nitrogen cycle ? if not, thats your first port of call.
Understanding bactera & how it contributes & effects you tank will cover the first building blocks of testing, keeping specific species groups will cover another series of tests ( these tests are for the additions you add to the tank that are to target feed specific coral groups)

basicly, in my personal stereo typical opinion , if your just starting out, i would suggest you stick with softies for awhile, to kinda warm you up for the mass amounts of information to come.
makes testing easy with the master test kits & they can leave some room for error, which we all need when starting out.

as for specific kits, i'll let your fellow americans give opinions on the better in your market.

Since you're aiming for some calcium hungry corals in your future, you'll eventually want to get a calcium test kit. Make sure it's a titration test kit. Salifert and Seachem are both good examples.

For that matter, Salifert and Seachem are excellent choices for all your test kits, IMO.

Thanks for the responses. I've always had freshwater tanks and also had a saltwater (fish only) about 6 years ago. I understand the cycles and wanted to know a good brand test kit for saltwater. From all I've heard and read it seems the API master kit for the 4 they offer and Salifert for the remainder.

Thanks for the responses. I've always had freshwater tanks and also had a saltwater (fish only) about 6 years ago. I understand the cycles and wanted to know a good brand test kit for saltwater. From all I've heard and read it seems the API master kit for the 4 they offer and Salifert for the remainder.

That's the combination I have.

Thanks CarmiJo. What is the old garbage bag trick?

i start with the cheap 5-in1 quick dip test that i get from walmart and then, go to the individual test kits. the API master kit is a great one to start with.

I can highly recommend the Salifert test kits. They are easy and quick to perform and simple to get the results and understand them.

I would recommend testing for the following parameters:
pH
Alkalinity (KH)
Calcium
Magnesium
Phosphate
Nitrite
Nitrate


It think these are the essentials to understanding the chemistry of your reef aquarium and being able to properly dose/maintain desired levels.

Much luck!

While cycling I use the dip sticks and the tetra tests. Daily testing with the sticks and then a couple of times a week I use the tetra to check for accurancy.

I pretty much stick with the tetras for the basics. I can read them better than any of the others. The others phos, alk etc I use seachem. Th ecalcium test I like the best is nutrafin.

I hate salifert... there's just too many steps involved in most of their tests. I use their Mg test but I feel like running in front of a bus every time I take it out.

You are much more likey to be compliant and test more often the easier the test is.

I can highly recommend the Salifert test kits. They are easy and quick to perform and simple to get the results and understand them.

I would recommend testing for the following parameters:
pH
Alkalinity (KH)
Calcium
Magnesium
Phosphate
Nitrite
Nitrate


It think these are the essentials to understanding the chemistry of your reef aquarium and being able to properly dose/maintain desired levels.

Much luck!

Go with Reefbaby's Recommendation. Salifert is easy use and accurate. You should consider a cheap ammonia kit during cycling.

Salifert is easy use.

Lol.. you need to come over to my house and do the Mg test for me then.