Which test kits do you recommend?

Danzig · 11/19/2020, 07:02 PM

Getting back in, i basically need everything, refractometer, test kits for phosphorus, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, calc, ph, and whatever else. What do you all recommend, and most importantly WHY! Its been almost a decade since i had a tank and i know a lot has changed so i really just want to hear from experienced reefers. Thanks in advanced.

MarAquatic · 11/19/2020, 10:29 PM

I like hanna and aqua forest

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Timfish · 11/20/2020, 07:36 AM

Salinity - Hanna digital
Alkalinity - API (not impressed with Hanna, got one and checked it against a freinds withthe smae sample of water, got 4 different results with .9 dKH between higest and lowest. RAPI has twice the sensitivity of the meq/l scale used by researchers.)
pH - API
Ammonia - Salifert (but I rarely use it)
Nitrite - haven't tested for nitrite in at least 15 years.
Nitrate - Red Sea low range, Nyos standard range.
Magnesium - Red Sea
PO4 - Elos

These are the test kits I've found to be easy to use and "fairly" accurate. To help determine which test kits to use you should get with other aquarists and actually try them to see hwat you find easiest to use. Always use a grain of salt when using test kits. Reagents can age or be outright bad from the manufacturer and water may not be homogenous so two tests from different places might not test the same.

billdogg · 11/20/2020, 11:47 AM

I use salifert for everything. Easy to use, repeatable results, good price. What's not to like???

Sk8r · 11/20/2020, 03:51 PM

Ditto on Salifert. Easy to read; numerical results in most tests.

gavij012379 · 11/20/2020, 07:43 PM

I have been using Red Sea test kit for Ca, Alk and Mg and like it. I have used salifert as well but I think Red Sea vials etc are better quality. The customer service is great as well.

jjencek · 11/21/2020, 02:38 AM

BRS has done video on tests as part of their "BEST OF ..." series.

11/19/2020, 07:02 PM	#1
Danzig Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 691	Which test kits do you recommend? Getting back in, i basically need everything, refractometer, test kits for phosphorus, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, calc, ph, and whatever else. What do you all recommend, and most importantly WHY! Its been almost a decade since i had a tank and i know a lot has changed so i really just want to hear from experienced reefers. Thanks in advanced. __________________ Keep our planet clean "PH s/b 7.9-8.3, salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp abt 80. Alk and cal will not rise if mg is low."

11/20/2020, 07:36 AM	#3
Timfish Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,840	Salinity - Hanna digital Alkalinity - API (not impressed with Hanna, got one and checked it against a freinds withthe smae sample of water, got 4 different results with .9 dKH between higest and lowest. RAPI has twice the sensitivity of the meq/l scale used by researchers.) pH - API Ammonia - Salifert (but I rarely use it) Nitrite - haven't tested for nitrite in at least 15 years. Nitrate - Red Sea low range, Nyos standard range. Magnesium - Red Sea PO4 - Elos These are the test kits I've found to be easy to use and "fairly" accurate. To help determine which test kits to use you should get with other aquarists and actually try them to see hwat you find easiest to use. Always use a grain of salt when using test kits. Reagents can age or be outright bad from the manufacturer and water may not be homogenous so two tests from different places might not test the same. __________________ "Our crystal clear aquaria come nowhere close to the nutrient loads that swirl around natural reefs" Charles Delbeek

11/20/2020, 11:47 AM	#4
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,716	I use salifert for everything. Easy to use, repeatable results, good price. What's not to like??? __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

11/20/2020, 03:51 PM	#5
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,338 Blog Entries: 55	Ditto on Salifert. Easy to read; numerical results in most tests. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, chromis, royal gramma basslet, tailspot blenny, ocellaris clown, yellow watchman, chestnut turbo snails, bristleworms, couple of hermits.

11/19/2020, 10:29 PM	#2
MarAquatic Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 664	I like hanna and aqua forest Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

11/20/2020, 07:43 PM	#6
gavij012379 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 170	I have been using Red Sea test kit for Ca, Alk and Mg and like it. I have used salifert as well but I think Red Sea vials etc are better quality. The customer service is great as well.

11/21/2020, 02:38 AM	#7
jjencek Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Prague, Czech Republic Posts: 365	BRS has done video on tests as part of their "BEST OF ..." series.