Test Kits

can you guys give me a list of a few good test kits to help maintain my water?

 

API is ok and has worked for me in the past

 

Salifert is pricey but the excellent. Easy to use, easy to read, very reputed.

 

If you're looking for cheap, go with the API Saltwater and API Reef test kits, they include most of what you need. You'll need to get Mg from someone else though.

I hate Red Sea Mg and I love Salifert Mg for ease of use.



I started w/API and as they ran out I replaced them with pricier, but easier to read Salifert tests.

I recommend Salifert all the way if you can afford it. Otherwise, API.

 

I use API right now, pretty good so far

 

I agree... i have left over strips from my fresh water and it read both fresh and salt. I just hate how you sit there for a while debating is it closer to this pink... or that pink... i'll look to upgrade to something easier to read soon.

 

cool. just a side note, those strips are worthless. They are notoriously inaccurate and unreliable. I'd just throw them away, they're not even good enough for a quick ballpark test...

 

good lord i was afraid someone would tell me that LOL smh....i'll hope there are no changes in my water till Friday (payday). This hobby is no joke ($) when you're starting.

 

I use API for nitrates, Phosphate, ammonia, as well as high range pH. my LFS does not carry the reef kit for API(they say it is not accurate) so I went with Red Sea for Calcium. I also have Red Sea kits for Nitrate and Nitrite. I find them easier to read than API. I don't have a kit for Magnesium yet.

I like the glass test tubes from the API kits, but not the tests. From Red Sea, I hate the test tubes, they are big and feel cheap(plastic). So went to my LFS I picked up some more glass test tubes for, I think, about $1.50 each.

 

Hi Sean!

If I remember right, the API reef kit has Ca, dKH, phosphate and nitrate... so you kind of are using it

Anyway I have used all those tests in API and Salifert form. I find them equally accurate except for dKH where the Salifert is more precise, but they are still close to equal (i mean, it's 10.6 vs 11 sort of thing).

Also, I completely agree with your view on the Red Sea tubes, they feel junky. I've only used Red Sea for Mg and Ca. I found them both to be easier to read than API but many times more difficult to do. The Salifert Mg test is super easy and as easy if not easier to read than the Red Sea.


I actually am starting to have enough experience w/test kit brands to have an opinion! So I'm flexing that experience :;D