API Test Kit and Salifert Test Kits Need Help

The API test for nitrate is terrible. The bottom two colors look identical to me. Go with salifert nitrate.

I have the api phosphate test but it always measures 0 for me. Need better resolution.

Th only api test i use is calcium. That one works fine. I use salifert for everything else.

Personally, I wouldn't get the master test kit. Once your tank is cycled you don't need the ammonia and nitrite tests. So your left with the api nitrate test which IMHO is worthless and the API calcium test which is fine.

 

hmmm, my tank is 3 months old and is still showing ammonia, i don't know why so i think it's because my current test kit is old and that could be why i still have readings. So i need something else that's fairly accurate. I wont be able to afford all of the salifret test kits so i think the API will have to do for now

 

hey Puffer I use the api reef seems to work fine for what I have softy/lps,I have about 13 different pieces of coral all doing great
but I will say the API test kit is low quality

 

ohhh and ps Your still having ammonia issues or trace ammonia thats weird and scary
I wont put your new corals in yet till you can resolve that or find out why just my 2 cents

 

it's got to be better then my Red Sea, i hate that test kit, i guess for now i'll get the API then later on i'll invest in salifert

 

it is better and it will work for fine just hard to read thats all for softies and some lps it will work fine in my book

 

I have the same Refractometer from marine depot and it does the job well. I find that it tends to need to be re calibrated often. For some reason its very sensitive, or at least mine seems to be, but it can easily be re calibrated with distilled water.

 

I think youll be fine with the API reefmaster for now,while not as accurate as the salifert kits,it will give you a good idea whats going on with your water chemistry.At least you will be tasting!!! I paid $28 for mine,about the same as my salifert calcium kit alone.

 

ok, i have no idea on how to calibrate so i'm hoping the instructions explain how to do so, at least it sounds like it will be better than my instant ocean hydrometer

 

yea the salifert is very pricey, lol i guess i'll have to buy one of those one by one