Which test kit to buy?

K

kleankord

I've just spent a half hour browsing through big als and marine depot, and there are a lot to choose from. I already have the typical ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, ph, and alk.... What should I add to my arsenal?

Here are some that I was looking at, can I get yalls thoughts?

"reef master test kit"
http://www.bigalsonline.com/Fish_Water-Testing-Equipment_Master-Test-Kits_Reef-Master-Test-Kit_9544961_82.html?tc=default
- calcium, KH, phosphate, nitrate.

http://www.bigalsonline.com/Fish_Water-Testing-Equipment_Liquid-Test-Kits_MultiTest-Iodine-Iodide-Test-Kit_7700737_82.html?tc=default
- iodine

http://www.bigalsonline.com/Fish_Water-Testing-Equipment_Liquid-Test-Kits_Reef-Status-Magnesium-Test-Kit_7701249_82.html?tc=default
- magnesium

I'm looking for suggestions as well, do they have an all inclusive kit somewhere instead of buying several? While I'm soliciting advice, what supplements should I look into? The plan is for the tank to be eventually be mostly LPS, Rics, and some "easy" SPS like montis and birdsnest. Thanks.
 
imo you will need a mag alk and ca test
for mag i recomend elos for alk get the hanna checker and ca what ever you find on sale
that and a good refractometer
 
i like Salifert for Mag. little more complicated to use but i think it test very good. for Alk. i use API which isn't the best and same for Calcium. Reef Master test kit will have Calcium and ALk. but no Mag. Saliferts Mag test kit is like $25 online and like $40 at the stores so its not cheap.
 
I just bought the red sea reef foundations and it's super easy to use. Had it checked againstbmy lfs API test kits and it matched up pretty well.
 
We had a lot of trouble with the Red Sea Pro Mag test. Repeatedly tested Mag over 1600 on four tanks with different livestock and maintenance routines. We went back to Elos and got numbers more reflective of what should be going on.
 
Red sea are junk. I use API for testing everyother day fir ca and alk. The double check on Sunday's with Hanna for alk and elos for ca.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
You are welcome to your own opinion of a brand but since you have not used it how about you keep your bias to yourself. The new test kits they came out with I have tested against the remaining API I had and let my lfs test to see as well, the new red sea are just as good and IMO a whole lot easier to use with the included titration mixing vile. They may have had a questionable line before, but these are nice.
 
I use API for almost everything. Salifert for Magnesium.

I just ordered an Elos Alk kit and it's WAY OFF. According to it my ALK is 5, and does not match up to LFS or my other kits. BTW I know it's .5dkh per drop.

I think I remember seeing another thread about how the Elos kits have been off or they changed the instructions. I'm pretty sure it was on the site too.
 
I use the new red sea for calcium and mag and API for alk. I have some salifert that someone gave me but i probably wouldnt buy it because your basically paying for shipping from europe.
 
@Shmoopy wrote:
I have some salifert that someone gave me but i probably wouldnt buy it because your basically paying for shipping from europe. said:
The Netherlands, actually.

And Elos kits come from Italy.

Price per kit is something we each have to consider, but also reliability and accuracy as well.
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