water test kits

[mikeinpgh]

Hello,:fish:
I'm heading to the store today to buy my materials to build my back flush contraption for my filter falls. While I'm there I wanted to pick up a water test kit.
What test kit do you use for testing the water in your pond? There are so many choices. What all do I have to test for? All of the ones I looked at tested for different things. Are test strips the best way to go? AND...How often do you check your water?
Thanks,
Mike

 

[rdk]

Liquids test kits are the best .API or Pond Care are some brands. You want to test for PH and Ammonia for sure. RDK

 

[rdk]

At first I would check once a week, but If your pond checks good or you do weekly water changes then much less often.

 

[DoDad]

No test strips aren't that accurate go with the liquid. The following things should be tested to aid in maintaining and preventing problems. Ammonia, PH, KH, GH, Nitrite and Nitrate. If new to testing I would do it quite often. All these can change very quickly in the spring before your filters kick in.

 

[rintintin]

I was wondering the same thing... so is this one good?

http://www.amazon.com/Mars-Fishcare-API34-Freshwater-Master/dp/B000255NCI/ref=cm_cmu_pg__header

 

[DoDad]

that will work

 

[mikeinpgh]

Cool, it looks like that one tests everything mentioned above.
Thanks