I want to get a good overall test kit, but I can't pay an arm & an leg! What is a good kit &
where can I get it?

I thought I'd check Walmart & Petsmart.

(I think I look for a test that checks nitrate, nitrite, ammonia,ph & chloinie) Is that right?

Suggestions appreciated

I want to get an overall test kit. Is there any decent choices for around 20 bucks?

nitrate, nitrite, ammonia,ph are the ones you want the most yeah not seen one that does chlorine?

Interpet do a 'master kit' which has all 4 in. not sure if you can get it in US thou?

also our better off if you can with a liquid test not a test strip, the liquid are more accurate

good luck!

I would try Big Al's online.It's about the cheapest place that I have bought Test Kits. They also have alot of other good deals.and shipping is reasonable. I paid 12.95 for the Aquarium Pharmaceutical's Freshwater kit. 6.95 I think is their regular shipping price.Everytime I order on there ,I always get a few things like Melafix,etc. which is so much cheaper on there.It takes a few dollar's before the shipping price goes up,and then it's usually a buck or so.

I have the Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Freshwater Master Test kit. I bought it at Petsmart for about $20-$25. It has pH, High Range pH, Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate. The kit will last 700 tests. I've probably done 100 so far and the bottles aren't even half empty.
They have it at Big Al's Online for $14, but you'll pay about $8 in shipping. But both Petco & Petsmart have it.

The only thing is, each bottle in the kit has a different number of drops required, i.e. Ammonia 8 drops, Nitrite 5 drops, Nitrate 10 drops.
I love it!

~ Jessica

I also have the Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Freshwater Master Test Kit. it works great for me and when you run out of a certain reagent you can buy a replacement one:)

I have that too! It IS a great thing isn't it? I got it for 25 dollars at petsmart also. Before, I was using this five in one quick dip Strip thing from Jungle. There were only about thirty strips in there and the bottle cost about 12 dollars. I ran out so fast and decided to get the master kit. This tests regular pH as well as high range pH (this is for an even more acurate reading) Ammonia, Nitrites, and Nitrates. It comes with a little booklet and chart where you mark the results for all your tests and stuff. Just make sure you read ALL the instructions carefully because each test is different (the number of drops, shaking, waiting, sometimes two bottles you need to use etc) I highlighted all the important stuff. Its a great little kit. I am even happier now because I didn't know you could buy replacement bottles seperately!

Yea the fact you can buy replacement reagent was a big plus for me, since some tests you may end up doing more often than others. I've seen replacement bottles in petshops, but you could probably buy them on line to. I use to have the test strips, but when i found out they weren't as accurate I switch:)

Thanks guys for even more great advice!!

I'm sending for my kit tomorrow from Big Al's!! I've also picked out a few other goodies!

i saw one that was 30 dollars ... it had everything in it.

Got my test kit at Petsmart!! I was very pleased with my first test!!

Oh......here's a funny....the EXPERT in the fish department asked what kind of fish
I had, and when I told him goldies....he explained that I really didn't need to test the water. He went on to tell me that only tropicals needed the water tested! I told him he was very wrong & needed to study a little.

You would think they would teach the basics of fish keeping!