Best nitrate, Kh and phosphate test kits?

Deadlocked · Jan 1, 2022

Hello all. What do you think are the best test kits? I think these 3 are the most important, but correct me if I'm wrong. I don't like using the api anymore. My reef tank is about a year old. Thanks in advance.

Pistondog · Jan 1, 2022

Deadlocked said:
Hello all. What do you think are the best test kits? I think these 3 are the most important, but correct me if I'm wrong. I don't like using the api anymore. My reef tank is about a year old. Thanks in advance.

Hanna
Nitrate high range
Phosphate low range
Alkalinity

SeaworthyAquatics · Jan 1, 2022

I prefer the Hanna test kits and double check with Salifert test kits from time to time or if I feel the readings are weird.

ColoredRock · Jan 1, 2022

I have a hard time differentiating colors in my old age.. Titrating test kits work.. color swatches not so much for me.

All three of the one's you mentioned are 1 regent kits. with Hanna:

Nitrate high range 7 min timer
Phosphate low range 3 min timer
Alkalinity -- fast.

rockdiver · Jan 1, 2022

Following
Nitrate Alk PH Calcium Phosphate

ZoWhat · Jan 1, 2022

Hanna
Hanna
Hanna

Dead nuts on my ICP test results

Drich5150 · Jan 1, 2022

Hanna nitrate hr. Phosphorus ulr. Alk. Calcium. Salinity pen. Red sea magnesium.

ZoWhat · Jan 1, 2022

zoa what said:
Hanna
Hanna
Hanna

Dead nuts on my ICP test results

I will say to keep Hanna ultra accurate, you need to:

1) immediately rinse out the glass vial within minutes of the test being done

2) each glass vial stored in a protective zip lock bag.... so the vial doesn't get scratches on it banging against things. You gotta protect the sides from any fiction putting microscratches in them. Scratches will throw off the test quite a bit

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jan 2, 2022

IMO, the best alk kit is a DIY. If you already have a pH meter, it is cheap and has assured accuracy that no kit or checker has.

A DIY Alkalinity Test: By Randy Holmes-Farley - REEFEDITION

Alkalinity is one of the most important measurements that a reef aquarist can make. It can become rapidly depleted in many aquaria, requiring frequent measurement in order to maintain stable levels.

www.reefedition.com

jcolliii · Jan 2, 2022

ELOS for PO4, Salifert for ALK, NO3, Ca, Mg. Sold all my Hannas long ago and will never go that route again - accuracy depends on procedure - and there are lots of variables to consider.

Willbiker · Jan 2, 2022

Pistondog said:
Hanna
Nitrate high range
Phosphate low range
Alkalinity

What he said...I have all 3 and all 3 are excellent.

homer1475 · Jan 2, 2022

Hanna Nitrate HR
Hanna ULR Phosphorus
Hanna Alk
Salifert Calcium
Salifert Magnesium

If the Hanna calcium checker was easier, and more repeatable, I would use it also.

rockdiver · Jan 2, 2022

Idk I just read the directions for the Hanna nitrate and wow.
Only thing you don't do is jump thru a hoop but maybe after the 15 20 minutes is up you do because your finally done.
I was about to buy a Hanna then I read the directions, I'll skip the nitrate Hanna

homer1475 · Jan 2, 2022

rockdiver said:
Idk I just read the directions for the Hanna nitrate and wow.
Only thing you don't do is jump thru a hoop but maybe after the 15 20 minutes is up you do because your finally done.
I was about to buy a Hanna then I read the directions, I'll skip the nitrate Hanna

The low range kit blows, thats probably what you looked at.

The high range kit is one simple reagent packet like the phosphate kit.

MaxTremors · Jan 2, 2022

I currently use Hanna for nitrates (HR, though was using the LR), Tropic Marin for Phosphates, and Salifert for Alk. I will be switching to Hanna for the latter two when I run out of reagents for them.