What's your prefered test kit?

lilboy88 · 01/18/2010, 10:42 PM

I'm looking to replace my test kit mainly because it is beginning to get old and inaccurate. Is there a test kit that you prefer?

dudley moray · 01/18/2010, 10:44 PM

i like the api tests

spleify · 01/18/2010, 10:49 PM

I have had good luck with Salifert, API is real easy for Alk, and Elos seems to get a lot of good reviews.

HTH

Good luck

Michael · 01/19/2010, 12:24 AM

i use a mix of kits, but salifert kits imo are very impressive for hobby grade.

Flipper62 · 01/19/2010, 01:09 AM

I like a combo of the API kits and the Salifert kits.

LKGRenegade22 · 01/19/2010, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flipper62

I like a combo of the API kits and the Salifert kits.

X2. Same here.

pco1988 · 01/19/2010, 02:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flipper62

I like a combo of the API kits and the Salifert kits.

x3 I have been using them for years!

Ricunger · 01/19/2010, 04:53 AM

API & salifert are a great combo!

Jstdv8 · 01/19/2010, 05:13 AM

+5, I also have a red sea master reef kit. don't really care for it except it has larger vials which are nice. but the colors on most of the tests are really similar so its difficult to tell weather you are in the good or bad areas on some tests

Piscez · 01/19/2010, 05:17 AM

Salifert here too

Cozmo4 · 01/19/2010, 05:47 AM

Elos fan here

TheHun · 01/19/2010, 06:39 AM

+1 elos

Nanz · 01/19/2010, 08:03 AM

Alkalinity - Lamotte (Most accurate and inexpensive refill)

Calcium – Elos (Very sudden color change and easy to read)

Magnesium – Salifert (I may try Elos but I have used Salifert for years)

Nitrate – Lamotte (Most accurate and inexpensive refill)

NH3, NO2 – API (I hardly ever run this test because they are always 0. I only run it when I cycle a new tank or when breeding clowns)

Fizz71 · 01/19/2010, 08:33 AM

I personally think Salifert are the best (most accurate and readable) but they are very expensive so I've been using API for the stuff I have to use a lot.

FirstContact · 01/19/2010, 05:51 PM

API and Salifert here too.

FirstContact · 01/19/2010, 05:59 PM

I'd like to add that I use API for Calcium and Salifert for Magnesium, and Alkalinity. My Nitrate test kits have been Red Sea and Tropic Marin.

I've been pretty happy with the API and Salifert kits. I have an API Phosphate test kit, but it always reads 0, and I don't think it's correct. Also, I like the way the Red Sea reports blue for 0 nitrates and changes to pink/red for other values.

lilboy88 · 01/19/2010, 07:13 PM

thanks for the feed back.

01/18/2010, 10:42 PM	#1
lilboy88 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Fargo ND USA Posts: 56	What's your prefered test kit? I'm looking to replace my test kit mainly because it is beginning to get old and inaccurate. Is there a test kit that you prefer? __________________ People say that carrots are good for your eyes, I think corals are better.

01/18/2010, 10:44 PM	#2
dudley moray sisternofuselessknowledge Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: orillia ontario Posts: 795	i like the api tests __________________ We urge hobbyists to develop a good 'BS' detector that will allow you to question information presented to you without any experimental evidence to support it. chris Current Tank Info: 90 gal south pacific biotope 40 gal sump/fuge ,65 gal rebuilding

01/18/2010, 10:49 PM	#3
spleify Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 9,579	I have had good luck with Salifert, API is real easy for Alk, and Elos seems to get a lot of good reviews. HTH Good luck __________________ Make it a Great Day!!!! Current Tank Info: 60 gal SPS cube, with 25 gal refugium, 400W MH, DIY Lumenarc III, DIY skimmer, DIY stand and canopy. 40 breeder LPS with 40 gallon sump, DIY stand, 250W MH

01/19/2010, 12:24 AM	#4
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	i use a mix of kits, but salifert kits imo are very impressive for hobby grade. __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

01/19/2010, 01:09 AM	#5
Flipper62 Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Naperville, Il. Business Owner, President & CEO Posts: 3,045	I like a combo of the API kits and the Salifert kits. __________________ If todays automobile had followed the same development as the computer, A Rolls Royce would cost $100.00. It would get a million miles per gallon, but it would explode once a year killing everyone inside." Current Tanks... 90 gal Reef... My awesome Office BioCube....( 180 was on hold ..no time ) ... The 180 gal has been sold...Yay..yay..yay. Hobby Experience: 19 years Reef...22 years FW

01/19/2010, 04:53 AM	#8
Ricunger Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Hazleton Posts: 1,210	API & salifert are a great combo!

01/19/2010, 05:13 AM	#9
Jstdv8 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Wasilla, Alaska Posts: 1,420	+5, I also have a red sea master reef kit. don't really care for it except it has larger vials which are nice. but the colors on most of the tests are really similar so its difficult to tell weather you are in the good or bad areas on some tests

01/19/2010, 05:17 AM	#10
Piscez Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: PoCo, B.C. Canada Posts: 56	Salifert here too

01/19/2010, 05:47 AM	#11
Cozmo4 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 583	Elos fan here

01/19/2010, 06:39 AM	#12
TheHun Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: TampaBay area, Fl Posts: 106	+1 elos

01/19/2010, 08:03 AM	#13
Nanz Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,389	Alkalinity - Lamotte (Most accurate and inexpensive refill) Calcium – Elos (Very sudden color change and easy to read) Magnesium – Salifert (I may try Elos but I have used Salifert for years) Nitrate – Lamotte (Most accurate and inexpensive refill) NH3, NO2 – API (I hardly ever run this test because they are always 0. I only run it when I cycle a new tank or when breeding clowns) __________________ S.G. = 1.025, Temp = 78.5, pH = 8.00 Ca = 550 ppm, Alk = 176 ppm (9.85 dKH), Mg = 1300 ppm NO3 = 0.97 ppm, PO4 = 0.07 ppm Nuvo 30, Razor Nano LED, Tunze ATO, Tunze 9004 skimmer, Vortec mp10,

01/19/2010, 08:33 AM	#14
Fizz71 FragSwapper Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: West Lawn, PA Posts: 5,800	I personally think Salifert are the best (most accurate and readable) but they are very expensive so I've been using API for the stuff I have to use a lot.

01/19/2010, 05:51 PM	#15
FirstContact Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Glenn Dale, MD Posts: 1,613	API and Salifert here too. __________________ No man is an island entire of itself; any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee. John Donne Current Tank Info: 120g Reef 100g Rubbermaid Sump, 20g Refugium; previous tank: 46g Drilled; Self Plumbed, Birds Nest, Anchor, Xenia, Zoas, Yuma Yuma Ricordea, Chalice, Mushrooms, Brain, Acan, Anenome Plate; Clams, Other Inverts, Fish, Live Rock

01/19/2010, 05:59 PM	#16
FirstContact Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Glenn Dale, MD Posts: 1,613	I'd like to add that I use API for Calcium and Salifert for Magnesium, and Alkalinity. My Nitrate test kits have been Red Sea and Tropic Marin. I've been pretty happy with the API and Salifert kits. I have an API Phosphate test kit, but it always reads 0, and I don't think it's correct. Also, I like the way the Red Sea reports blue for 0 nitrates and changes to pink/red for other values. __________________ No man is an island entire of itself; any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee. John Donne Current Tank Info: 120g Reef 100g Rubbermaid Sump, 20g Refugium; previous tank: 46g Drilled; Self Plumbed, Birds Nest, Anchor, Xenia, Zoas, Yuma Yuma Ricordea, Chalice, Mushrooms, Brain, Acan, Anenome Plate; Clams, Other Inverts, Fish, Live Rock

01/19/2010, 07:13 PM	#17
lilboy88 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Fargo ND USA Posts: 56	thanks for the feed back. __________________ People say that carrots are good for your eyes, I think corals are better.