Alk./Cal. Test kits??

[Mark75]

I know guys,..this subject has been beat to death, sorry.

My tank has just started using Alk/Cal so I have been testing very often and the API kit for Cal seems overly drawn out due to having to drip 20+ drops.

I trust the API kits but would like to know if any other brands were a little quicker or easier? I also like having to different brands on hand to cross check any abnormal results.

So,...what do you guys like for Alk/Cal test and why?

Thanks![emoji3]

 

[Downbeach]

I think for accuracy/reliability I'd go with either Salifert or Red Sea Pro for Ca, Alk and Mg.

 

[Nibejeebies]

I use Hanna for Alk Ca, and would order on for Mg if I could find it. Those are the most important to me to be actuate.

I also use the Red Sea Pro kit, the Ca and Mg are pretty easy to read when you do it right, but the Alk is hard to discern the correct shade of red/tan/yellow for the color change.

The Red Sea Pro Kit is pretty simple to preform provided you read the directions and you follow them (since the ALK needed 10ml of sample I though they all needed it, but just so you know they DONT wasted quite a bit of reagent)

You can get the tests individually or as a kit (saves money)... The good thing about the red sea kits, is that you can order reagent refill kits for a fraction of the cost.

I tend to test three times with the red sea and average the three readings, this will should account for human error.

Ive included links to the Red Sea youtube videos...

 

[Nibejeebies]

And heres the Youtube links for the Hanna Checker....

 

[Nibejeebies]

It really comes down to personal preference and which test you prefer.

I use the Red Sea for daily or spot checks, but I prefer the Hanna for accuracy.
For helpfulness, Here's a price breakdown.

--Editing to fix pic links-

 

[donnievaz]

I switched from API to Red Sea Pro for everything but ph and couldn't be happier. Much more accuracy and very easy to use.

 

[Mark75]

But are they fast/easy to do??[emoji16]

 

[Knapp870]

+100 for Hannah. I got both on sale from BRS and wouldn't ever go back to anything else.

 

[donnievaz]

But are they fast/easy to do??[emoji16]

They're all easy but the phosphate and nitrate are a little slow because you have to wait for the color to develop. The titration tool is the best thing since sliced bread in my opinion.

 

[Nibejeebies]

But are they fast/easy to do??[emoji16]

I guess that depends on your deff if easy. Check out the YouTube videos as they show you how to do the test in detail.

 

[sk8elenex92]

I like my red sea kits. Alk I can do in about 2 min, Calcium little longer since you have the powder stuff, and Mag takes longer then calcium but again not bad. Mag is once a month any way. Order the red sea kit on Ebay, its been the cheapest I can find.. Its fairly consistant I have had a weird alk test before. Read much higher started freaking out and tested again which read normal. Didnt make sense but who knows.. Go with Red Sea unless you have money to spend then go with Hanna

 

[donnievaz]

These guys are cheap and free shipping
https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/r...-alk-mg-calcium-magnesium-alkalinity-red-sea/

 

[Sabellafella]

But are they fast/easy to do??[emoji16]

Honestly, i collect test kits. And i have to say. Red sea comes back perfect for calc against triton but ive had a couple bad batches of reagents sold to me. Runs consistant with salifert.Elos is very simple, bottle droppers with titration. Nyos is terrible, overshoots by 50ppm on every test kit i bought for calc. Hannah checker is accurate, jusy very easy to mess up the test plus it takes long. I happened to not like red sea test kits, but i started to buy refills for calcium and it works like a charm. For alk, lamotte is the most accurate, up there with the hannah checker, but salifert is too. Everything else(beside redsea) are bottle droppers and cant find tune your alk if your dosing. As of today, what ive found best for me, is hannah checker along with salifert for alk. Red sea with salifert for calc. The issue ive seen with red sea kits, is the reagents go sour very quickly. So if your going with the quick easy reliable option, it would have to be salifert.

 

[KJ]

Salifert for Ca Alk Mg No3
Hanna Checker for Po4

 

[SJ-reefer]

I use Red Sea for mag, cal, Hanna checker for alk and phosphates and Salifert for nitrate. The Red Sea alk shades of reds give my eyes a run 4 the money.