Testing kit

[cshack5405]

Hey i need some ideas on testing kits so i can stop driving to get it tested. Are API Saltwater Master Test Kits good? Or what are some good decently priced kits to get?

 

[heathlindner25]

Red sea pro: cal,alk, and mag
salifert: no3 and po4

 

[pkaugusta]

saltwater master kit has only basic tests. Now I have an issue with my fish and may be some sps frags, after talking others I realize I need to do more tests. Well red sea kit seems to have a good collection.I will just keep buyin API. ( I get a good price with Amazon prime)

 

[heathlindner25]

PKAugusta;968025 wrote: saltwater master kit has only basic tests. Now I have an issue with my fish and may be some sps frags, after talking others I realize I need to do more tests. Well red sea kit seems to have a good collection.I will just keep buyin API. ( I get a good price with Amazon prime)

API is complete garbage.... save your money and don't test........or..... buy high quality test kits if you care about your animals happiness.

 

[KrisDeitz]

API will lie over and over. Please spend the money in better kits. It pays off

 

[pkaugusta]

so red sea ?

 

[jc_k]

I use an API just because I can't really get anything else right now. But the nitrite test is alwyas off and so is the ammonia. Like everyone else said buy a Red Sea or just save your money.

 

[pkaugusta]

Red Sea Reef Foundation Test Kit - Calcium, Alkalinity & Magnesium ( available in amazon for 45 $ )

 

[jc_k]

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/red-sea-marine-care-test-kit.html">http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/red-sea-marine-care-test-kit.html</a>
What about this one? Never heard of it until now. Seems decently priced.

 

[heathlindner25]

Red sea pro nitrate and phosphate kits are complete liars....lol The alk,cal,mag kit is spot on accurate in my opinion.
then you go to Salifert for nitrate and phosphate.

 

[heathlindner25]

this advice is only if u want true accurate numbers you can count on....lol

 

[heathlindner25]

heathlindner25;968040 wrote: this advice is only if u want true accurate numbers you can count on....lol

One more thing...If you don't do the red sea pro tests correctly , you're wasting your time... they are so precise you have to do the test right. pm me if you want instructions.

 

[tonymission]

I like Hanna checker for ca, alk, phosphate. Have Red Sea nitrate test but I don't really test for that much.

 

[jdavid]

No fans of seachem or elos? I got a bunch of test kits from Dylan before he moved but haven't used any of them yet.

 

[cshack5405]

Thanks for the responses guys!
:up::up:

 

[mikesmith34]

I prefer salifert for Alk, mag, and cal.

 

[pkaugusta]

Is there anyplace we can get our water tested by a laboratory ( titration or any chromatography type more reliable methods) ? because then we can benchmark our test kits.

 

[pkaugusta]

interesting comparison of test kits here

 

[bcavalli]

+1 tony - Hanna meters make it easy. Alk check takes less than 60 seconds. They are simple, accurate and they take color guessing out of the equation.

 

[bluespot]

:sick:

JC_k;968035 wrote: http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/red-sea-marine-care-test-kit.html">http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/red-sea-marine-care-test-kit.html</a>
What about this one? Never heard of it until now. Seems decently priced.[/QUOTE]


Heard it is pretty good but doesnt come with mag or calc tests. Basic marine water chemistry tests. It would probably work as a good adjunct to the Red Sea pro kit.

I use the Red Sea pro kits due to liking the accuracy and lab like equipment, hard shell case, and laminated directions it comes with. Plus they sell refill kits for the individual tests in the box. The price for getting alk, mag, and calc tests together is pretty dang good too. I do have some Salifert kits I occasionally use also and find the results comparable to the Red Sea Pro. My chief complaint about Salifert is petty...cardboard boxes and paper directions dont last long around saltwater for me. If you go with the Red Sea Pro definitely watch the videos by red sea on youtube. Shows the exact endpoint pretty well and has good tips.

Never used the Elos but heard they are good. Most of the Hannah checkers are supposed to be good. Speed wise, I can usually do most of the red sea tests in the same amount of time but have been using them for a couple years.