testing equipment?

So im kinda new to saltwater..... i am starting to have little issues arise and im wondering what are the best companies for testing equipment for water parameters so that way i dont waste my money on bad equipment or testing supplies. thanks

 

i use salifert for my calcium and magnesium testing, API works pretty well for me for all the other stuff nitrates, nitrites, ammonia etc. Especially since yr just starting out i think they would be a pretty good investment. Unlike the Tetra test kits i got when i was just starting out.

 

API kits will get you in the ballpark most of the time, but can be less reliable than test kits like Salifert... Though, my LFS convinced me that API kits couldn't test calcium accurately and convinced me to buy a Salifert kit only to find that they were only slightly off of each other... I have a Salifert kit for Magnesium too, and it works pretty good...

 

Heard the Elos test kits work pretty well too, but they cost a pretty penny. wouldnt worry too much about getting one of those now though. Im pretty satisfied with my Salifert.

 

I like the Elos kits...not much more $$$ than API from what I've seen and I think they are better quality...I actually prefer the Elos for Mg over the Salifert...and I've had good luck with the Ca and Alk kits from Elos too.