Testing srusso's Ultimate Test Kit Set

(Work in progress)

I started building a list of test kits that I believe would create the ultimate set of tests to maintain an algae scrubbed aquarium. The goal of this is to create a list of the best test kits, which would give you the most complete "picture" of your algae scrubbed aquarium. This is NOT a list of what is required to keep one. An essentials test kit set will be created from this list in the future.

I have derived this list based on the following:

1) Things that should be monitored in an algae scrubbed aquarium.

2) Test resolution is proper for levels commonly found in a algae scrubbed aquarium.

3) Based on available research and data, which test kits are most accurate for their given test subject.

4) Ease of use and repeatability of the test, for accurately seeing trends in long term data.

5) Cost is reasonable, under $2 per test for infrequent tests, once or twice a week. Less for tests that are more frequent.

Some tests are better done in more of a "monitoring" method. For this to truly happen and be "ultimate", we would use an aquarium controller to monitor and chart the "swinging" permitters. Which are temperature, pH, salinity/conductivity, ORP. For this the following probes connected to a controller to keep a more trends based view of the data:

Temperature Probe
Ph Probe
Conductivity Probe
ORP Probe



Refractometer
-Quantum PAR Meter
-PLOTS Desktop Spectrometer
-Salifert Nitrate Test
-Hanna Phosphorus Checker
-Elos Potassium Test
-Hana Alkalinity Checker
-Salifert Calcium test
-Salifert Magnesium test
Iron
Silicate