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To anwser some of yor questions...i can only buy one test kit because i only have 25$.......Is that enough?( i am in cycling process ) What should i buy with money i have? I would appreciate it!

Peter17

20 GALLON LONG CURRENTLY EMPTY ~~~~ 10 GALLON W/ STRIPPED CONVICT

Definitely Ammonia because pH has nothing to do with "THE CYCLE" which is soooo important. All of the ammonia will eventually turn in to nitrite which will eventually turn into nitrate. Thus if you have high ammonia levels for a week or so, which you will if you are just starting to cycle the tank, then you can bet that once the ammonia levels drop, the nitrIte levels have risen super high. Once the nitrIte drops to .50 or less, then the nitrAte should be high for a little while. Once the nitrAte is at a steady 5 then the tank is cycled. The ammonia should be at 0, nitrIte no higher than .25, and nitrAte at 5 or less.

In conclusion, the ammonia test is more important. Get your pH tested at the lfs since this usually remains constant. If you want to solve all your problems, get yourself some BioSpira (live bacteria) to have a tank cycled overnight. Good luck!
litletank

12 bucks for a master test kit is a great deal....if you have the money and feel you need to know whats going on with your water whenever you feel the need its well worth it. Especially if you run multiple tanks.

I'm with "keithgh" on this one.

I have only ever had a PH test kit myself and have used it only a few times.

Like what has already been said if you look and watch the tank you will be able to pick up on these things pretty easily.

Read this thread, as these are good for both SW and FW, and BigAls online carries them. These are fairly new to the market, so there are not many places carrying them yet.

http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/forums/Reef%20Keeping/53331.html?200501200516

And the price is well within your price range. You will not get as many tests out of them, as you would with the liquid test kits, but they work extremely well, and you will be testing for everything you may need to test for. Since finding these and doing comparison tests with my friends doing them as well, I actually test several of my tanks more often, because it is so much easier and quicker.

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There is always a bigger fish...

I only paid $22 for my master test kit at petsmart, although I've seen it in other srores for over $30

I think its worth it just for the knowledge that you can check the tank water if you have to instead of waiting for the lfs to be open.
I like instant answers rather than deciding i might need to check the water, discover its just after closing time at the lfs, and have to wait 12hrs or so til it opens again.

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Before you criticize someone walk a mile in their shoes. That way you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

why spend money on something that your lfs should/will test for free? true, less the $20 for a master test kit sounds cheap, but if you only use it once, is it worth it?

If you are willing to pay $15.00 for a nitrate test kit like I did, then you are better off buying a master test kit from Big Al's for $12.00 and you get the ammonia test AND the nitrate test plus nitrite, and ph tests.

wow thats cheap! We can get that testkit here and we pay atleast $50!

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Before you criticize someone walk a mile in their shoes. That way you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

Well with that much buy a master test kit! Here is a [link=link]http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/product.xml?product_id=19383;category_id=3111;pcid1=3233;pcid2=" style="COLOR: #EB4288[/link]. Big als is fast with their shipping and you can even earn points to future purchases.

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I need a kit for my new fish tank.... amonia kit...or nirate kit? i only can get one....which one?


Peter17

20 GALLON LONG CURRENTLY EMPTY ~~~~ 10 GALLON W/ STRIPPED CONVICT

Get the ammonia. Most people don't need a nitrAte test once it's cycled, some people dont need a nitrAte test even then.

Ammonia can spike after adding fish, unexpected power failure, unknown power failures, over feeding, medication, overcleaning, alot of reasons.

I've only ever needed to test for nitrAte when I'm adding it to my planted tank.

If your in the US I'd look for a master test kit, while it is more expensive than just one kit, it saves money when buying them all. Some come with nitrAte, some come with low and high range ph, check the box .

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get the nitrate...

You only need ammonia for cycling, and if you do regular mantence, your ammonia shouldnt rise at all.

I agree that a master test kit would come in handy. it will test pH, high pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. When I started out I tested the water every day till I learned what was happening, the nitrogen cycle and all. now I test a couple times a month, and and test my source once a month. good thing i did too cause the pH dropped from 7.2 to 6.4. now I know.
Also, good regular water changes and good gravel vacuuming habits help out a great deal.

When a first got in to fish keeping I bought a test kit and faithfully tested my water every other week.Now after being in it for a few years I probably haven't had a test kit in a couple of years.I just haven't saw the need for one I do 20% bi-weekly water changes, vaccum my gravel once a month and change my filters and have never had any major problems with my tanks.I have borrowed friends test kits on occasion and test my water and it's always the same ph 7.5 , ammo, nitrites and nitrates 0. Am I telling you not to buy a test kit most certainly not, but if you do I'd buy a master test kit that will test for everything. Anyway best of luck to you!

I've only ever had a cheap little childrens PH test kit.
And i've actually never used it.

I always tell myself that I should buy a test kit but I don't think i've ever needed to use one. When i feel it's absolutly necessary to do a test i just take a water sample down to the LFS and they test it for me.

Since your tank is still cycling then I would suggest the ammonia tester. Try and get a liquid one that gives you a test tube. Strip testers are not very accurate IMO.

Why only one testkit? Perhaps you can slowly add to your collection? Having only one kit will only tell you a little about your tank. As Janna said they are a vital tool when you think there may be something wrong with your water quality.

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Before you criticize someone walk a mile in their shoes. That way you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

Kits aren't necessarily needed frequently. I only test when I think there might be a problem. They are invaluable when diagnosing diseases, or unexplained deaths. When a sudden bacterial infection starts to wipe out your tank, you're going to want to test to see exactly what is wrong. I wouldn't want to have to wait until a fish store opens to get tested.

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They shade the glow of it with their mossy-misty costumes,
They wear masks of silk, porcelain, brass, and silver,
So as not to mislead with their own, ordinary faces.

I agree with you to, but when keeping sensitive fish like discus, or when adding co2 to a tank, testing once or twice a month may not hurt ya