What tests do I need for live plants?

[AndreaW]

I'm new to planted aquariums and have anubias and java fern in my 10 gallon tank with a Betta. What test kits beside pH, Nitrate and Phosphate should I have?

[RadMax8]

GH and KH are good to have on-hand as well. If you want to get crazy, Potassium test would be nice to have too.

[Cinnebuns]

@RadMax8 is the potassium test API?  I don't think I saw one last time I checked. 

[FrozenFins]

If you only have plants like Anubias and Java Fern and other low tech "easy" plants no specific test kits are needed. I have all planted tanks with low tech plants (stem plants, rhizome plants, floating plants, etc.) I only have the API Liquad test (amonia, nitrite nitrate, ph), as well as the Tetra strips that test for the same nutrients.

Yes @RadMax8 is right KH and GH are great to have on hand. But when your first starting with plants IMO its best to keep it simple and just focus on the more important nutrients like Nitrogen. 

For now my advice is to stick to your basic ph, amonia, nitrogen tests. As you get deeper into planted tanks you might inves in other tanks. I've been keeping planted for tanks for close to 2 years, still have not bought any extra plants and my plants grow just fine.

[AndreaW]

On 2/10/2022 at 6:14 PM, FrozenFins said:

If you only have plants like Anubias and Java Fern and other low tech "easy" plants no specific test kits are needed. I have all planted tanks with low tech plants (stem plants, rhizome plants, floating plants, etc.) I only have the API Liquad test (amonia, nitrite nitrate, ph), as well as the Tetra strips that test for the same nutrients.

Yes @RadMax8 is right KH and GH are great to have on hand. But when your first starting with plants IMO its best to keep it simple and just focus on the more important nutrients like Nitrogen. 

For now my advice is to stick to your basic ph, amonia, nitrogen tests. As you get deeper into planted tanks you might inves in other tanks. I've been keeping planted for tanks for close to 2 years, still have not bought any extra plants and my plants grow just fine.

Thank you. I actually do have KH and my GH is missing so I may have to go buy a new one. My water is really hard and both were high when I last tested (it's been years since I've tested those though).