Good husbandry is essential if you want to keep your saltwater fish tank and all its inhabitants healthy.
That means regularly testing all the key parameters and not just those that may be toxic like Ammonia and Nitrite.
Calcium, Carbonate and Magnesium are used by corals as they grow so you need to closely monitor those levels so you know how much to replace.
A good, accurate test kit will point you in the right direction so let’s have a look at what’s available…
Table of Contents
Top 5 Test Kits for a Saltwater Fish Tank
| # | Preview | Product | Quick Review |
| 1 |  | Salifert Profi Test Kit Range Marine | Best Overall |
| 2 |  | JBL ProAquaTest Lab Marine | Extensive Range of Tests |
| 3 |  | NT Labs Marine Lab Multi Test Kit | Covers All The Main Tests |
| 4 |  | API Marine Reef Master Test Kit | Limited and Not Accurate Enough |
| 5 |  | Tetra 6-in-1 Test Strips | Useless |
Why You Should Use a Saltwater Fish Tank Test Kit
Ammonia and Nitrite are toxic for your fish and coral and should be tested on a regular basis, especially with a new saltwater tank, and your salinity and PH should be stable.
Nitrates and Phosphates can get too high and lead to algae problems and Calcium, Carbonate and Magnesium will deplete over time as they are utilsed by growing corals.
So, all need to be tested regularly so you can take any action required.
What to Look for When Buying a Saltwater Fish Tank Test Kit
Type of Test – Some test kits contain multiple tests for different parameters, others have just a single test per kit, so choose a kit or kits that test for all the parameters you want to test.
Accuracy – Accuracy is probably the most important factor when choosing a saltwater test kit. Does the kit test the parameter in the range you want? Can it measure small incremental changes?
Consistency – As you will be testing over time, it’s important that the test results are consistent for a meaningful comparison.
Ease of Use – The tests should be reasonably easy to use and read the results and come with good instructions.
Number of Tests – The number of tests you get from each test kit has obvious cost implications.
Saltwater Fish Tank Test Kit Product Reviews
Here are my reviews of the best Saltwater Fish Tank Test Kit products:-
1. Salifert Profi Test Kit Range Marine
The Salifert Profi Test Kit Range provides for a single parameter test in each box and they cover every test you could possibly want:-
- Beginner – Ammonia, pH (high range), Nitrite and Nitrate
- Advanced – Calcium, Carbonate Hardness, Magnesium and Phosphate
- Specialised – Copper, Iodine, Oxygen, Potassium, Strontium and Silicate
Each kit comes with full instructions and an easy-to-follow pictorial guide. All the equipment you’ll need is included, syringes, measuring spoons and test vials.
Some tests are simple drop tests where you add the solution to a sample of your tank water and compare the colour against the chart provided.
Others are titration tests for improved accuracy where you compare your result against a numbered chart.
On some tests, you can double the number of tests by using the lower resolution method.
Pros
- Wide Range of Tests
- Accurate Test Ranges
- Easy to Read Results
- Good instructions
- High and Low Range Nitrate and Phosphate
- 50 – 200 Tests per kit
Cons
- Fiddly to Use at First
2. JBL ProAquaTest Lab Marine
The JBL ProAquaTest Lab Marine test kit comes with a very comprehensive range of tests including pH value, carbonate hardness, calcium, magnesium, copper, ammonium, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate, silicate and oxygen.
Tests are either simple drop tests where you add the solution to a sample of your tank water and compare the colour against the chart provided or titration tests where you add drops until there is a colour change.
Full instructions are included together with 12 glass vials, 2 plastic cuvettes, 2 syringes, 3 measuring spoons, thermometer, pen, report sheets and analysis sheet, laboratory comparator system.
Everything is contained within a robust plastic case for ease of storage and safety.
Single replacement reagent bottles are available to buy so you don’t have to buy the whole kit again.
Pros
- Comprehensive Range of Tests
- Easy to Read Results
- Good instructions
- Single replacement reagent bottles
Cons
- High initial price
3. NT Labs Marine Lab Multi Test Kit
The NT Labs Saltwater Test Kits are split into two Multi-Test Kits:-
- The Marine Lab Multi-Test Kit – which measures Ammonia, pH (high range), Nitrite and Nitrate
- The Marine Lab Reef Multi-Test Kit – measures Calcium, Carbonate Hardness, Magnesium and Phosphate.
You could say the first multi-test kit was for beginners, or those cycling a new saltwater tank, and the second, Reef multi-test kit is for more advanced users keeping corals.
All the equipment you’ll need to carry out the tests is included, syringes, pipettes and test tubes. There’s even a test tube rack!
You can also buy single replacement reagent bottles so you don’t have to repurchase the whole kit.
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Test Tube Rack!
- Good Instructions
- Correction Suggestions
- Around a 150 Tests in Each Kit
Cons
- Not as Accurate as Salifert
- No Iodine or Potassium Test
4. API Marine Reef Master Test Kit
The API Saltwater Test Kits are split into two Master Kits:-
- The Saltwater Master Test Kit – which measures Ammonia, pH (high range), Nitrite and Nitrate
- The Reef Master Test Kit – measures Calcium, Carbonate Hardness, Phosphate and Nitrate
So, you’ll need both (and you’ll end up with two lots of nitrate solution).
They’re easy enough to use, just add the required drops of the test solution to a sample of your tank water in the test tubes provided, then compare against the colour charts for your reading.
Let’s say the Saltwater Master Test Kit is maybe OK for beginners, or if you are initially cycling a tank, but that’s about it.
The Reef Master Test Kit tests, for the critical parameters of Calcium, Carbonate Hardness, Phosphate and Nitrate are just not accurate enough for the precision needed.
There is no Magnesium test at all (critical to know for overall coral health) and the Nitrate and Phosphate tests simply cannot measure the lower range levels found in reef tanks.
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Cheap
Cons
- No Magnesium Test
- Not Accurate Enough
- Separate Kit For PH, Ammonia and Nitrite
5. Tetra 6-in-1 Test Strips
Shown here as an example of the many test strips you will come across.
Quite simply, don’t go there. They are wildly inaccurrate and useless at measuring the parameters in a saltwater tank.
Pros
- Cheap for a reason
Cons
- Useless
Conclusion
The Salifert Profi Test Kit Range easily gets our best overall rating for the sheer number and accuracy of the tests available.
We admit they are a bit fiddly to use at first, but once you get the hang of it they are both consistent and accurate, and overall the best value for money. After all, an inaccurate test is worse than none at all.
For a multi-test kit, the JBL ProAquaTest Lab Marine is hard to beat with the most comprehensive range of tests available.
Saltwater Fish Tank Test Kit FAQs
How do I test my saltwater aquarium? – To test the salinity you will need a good refractometer. To test all other parameters you will need a good test kit. Select a kit that has individual tests for all the parameters you wish to test for.
What do I need to test for in a saltwater tank? – As a bare minimum you should test the PH and salinity along with testing for Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrates, particularly with a new saltwater tank. If you have corals you will also need to test the levels of Calcium, Carbonate and Magnesium.
What is the best test kit for a reef tank? – As corals in a reef tank use Calcium, Carbonate and Magnesium to grow, these elements will deplete over time. You, therefore, need a test kit that tests those parameters so you can establish how much of these elements you should be replenishing.
How often should I test my saltwater fish tank? – At least once a fortnight but more frequently for new tanks. If you add corals you should be testing Calcium, Carbonate and Magnesium on a weekly basis.
How accurate are API test kits? – Not very accurate at all and they are also difficult to read and interpret. For the critical parameters of Calcium, Carbonate, Phosphate and Nitrate, API test kits are not accurate enough for the precision needed.
I have an algae problem. Will a saltwater test kit show me why? – Yes, or testing could, at least, point you in the right direction. Many algae problems are caused by Nitrates and Phosphates being either too high or too low or an imbalance between the two.