Test Kits

I was wondering what kind of test kits do people use mine are almost done and i was just wondering what kind i should get to replace my old ones. I have been on sites and see all kinds of brands from cheap to expensive looking for a accurate brand.
Thanks
Tony

 

I am on the same road as you!! I have heard to stay away from hagen, red sea. Then they tell me that Lamotte is the best. You know what that means a lot of $$$, and then that salifert is just fine, accurate, and worth the price. So ima start buying salifert.

 

Salifert for:

Calcium
Alkalinity
Magnesium

For pH, I use a pinpoint


Deltec (Merck) for soluble orthophosphates or Hach if I want to know organic phosphates as well.

(The Salifert doesn't read in low enough concentrations)

 

how bout for nitrite, nitrate and amonia?

 

I've heard nothing beats Salifert. They are so expensive. There are other "specilized" tests that far surpass Salifert, but I doubt you'll look into them they are so expensive and "sophisticated."

 

I never test for Ammonia or Nitrite. For nitrate, I rarely test and I have both a Salifert and Tetratest. I use which one I happen to see first.

For Ammonia, I use one of these. Seachem Ammonia Alert - Marine Depot - Marine and Reef Aquarium Super Store

EDIT: I want to make it clear that I'm not saying testing for those items isn't needed. I just kind of got into a groove with my tanks over time and I pretty much know when I need to do some maintenance. My nitrates are rarely above 5.

 

Being a tight wad, I am happy with SeaChem. It's pretty darn good for the money. I especially like their calcium test kit. That said, some swear by salifert kits and make a strong argument that the money is worth the accuracy.

 

I use Red Sea and Salifert and I like them both equally.

 

thanks guys like i said so many on the market and they all say they are accurate. I don't want to spend big bucks but i don't want to buy cheep stuff. so the next time i go to the lfs i will see what brands they have.
Thanks for the help
Tony;D

 

Seachem and Salifert!