Best Parameter tests?

[dwair]

What I mean is by brand mainly. For the everyday hobbist. Not someone with a Trident/Mastertronic, etc.

By each parameter, lets go with the 5 main ones. I feel inclined to keep Hanna Checkers off the list as they are kinda expensive. Was thinking mainly brands like Salifert/API/Red Sea etc.

Alkalinty -
Calcuim -
Mag -
Nitrate -
Phosphate -

Thoughts?

 

[mike550]

If you take Hanna off the list, then I’d go with Salifert for Alk, Ca, and Mg because they’re all titration tests. Nitrate I like NYOS because of the two vial comparison and color. I’ve used all of these tests and like them a lot.

But I’m now using Hanna for Alk, Nitrates (high range) and Ultra low phosphorous.

No suggestions for Phosphate — sorry.

 

[darwindiaz]

I used Salifert for calcium and alk. Redsea for magnesium. Recently switched to Hanna but, I bought mine separately since it's a costly as a kit.

 

[arking_mark]

Alkalinty - Hanna
Calcuim - Hanna
Mag - Aquaforest
Nitrate - Nyos
Phosphate - Hanna

 

[dwair]

Alkalinty - Hanna
Calcuim - Hanna
Mag - Aquaforest
Nitrate - Nyos
Phosphate - Hanna

Think someone is a Hanna fan Lol. All good, I understand. Just at $50 a pop they are abit pricey.

 

[Reefing Reefer]

What I mean is by brand mainly. For the everyday hobbist. Not someone with a Trident/Mastertronic, etc.

By each parameter, lets go with the 5 main ones. I feel inclined to keep Hanna Checkers off the list as they are kinda expensive. Was thinking mainly brands like Salifert/API/Red Sea etc.

Alkalinty -
Calcuim -
Mag -
Nitrate -
Phosphate -

Thoughts?

I use Hanna for all, except of course Magnesium which Hanna does not make and I do not test for.

Also, I use Aquarimate to track my parameters in a simple-to-use ap

p.

 

[brmc1985]

Alkalinty - Hanna
Calcuim - Hanna
Mag - Aquaforest
Nitrate - Nyos
Phosphate - Hanna

Do you run the Hanna Phosphate tester multiple times a test? Aka wait the three minutes for the first reading. Then run the same process(without waiting the three minutes) to get multiple readings and just average them out? That’s what I do because of the error of margin.

 

[Reefing Reefer]

Do you run the Hanna Phosphate tester multiple times a test? Aka wait the three minutes for the first reading. Then run the same process(without waiting the three minutes) to get multiple readings and just average them out? That’s what I do because of the error of margin.

I'm pretty sure I did the test incorrectly the first couple of times - the Phosphate and Nitrate are a bit of a science experiment. I only do both tests with the countdown (3 minutes phosphates, 8 minutes nitrates) once every 2 weeks now.

 

[arking_mark]

Do you run the Hanna Phosphate tester multiple times a test? Aka wait the three minutes for the first reading. Then run the same process(without waiting the three minutes) to get multiple readings and just average them out? That’s what I do because of the error of margin.

I just do the 3 minutes.

 

[((FORDTECH))]

What I mean is by brand mainly. For the everyday hobbist. Not someone with a Trident/Mastertronic, etc.

By each parameter, lets go with the 5 main ones. I feel inclined to keep Hanna Checkers off the list as they are kinda expensive. Was thinking mainly brands like Salifert/API/Red Sea etc.

Alkalinty -
Calcuim -
Mag -
Nitrate -
Phosphate -

Thoughts?

Well if you are taking Hanna off the table IMO just shoot your self in the foot.

 

[Homebrewer]

Well if you are taking Hanna off the table IMO just shoot your self in the foot.

Agree. Buy the right thing the first time and you’ll save in the long run. Can apply that logic to a lot of things in this hobby.

 

[((FORDTECH))]

Agree. Buy the right thing the first time and you’ll save in the long run. Can apply that logic to a lot of things in this hobby.

Yes you sure can

 

[Onewolf]

Alkalinty - Hanna
Calcuim - Hanna
Mag - Aquaforest
Nitrate - Nyos
Phosphate - Hanna

Same as me except I use Red Sea for Magnesium.

 

[Homebrewer]

Same as me except I use Red Sea for Magnesium.

I use Salifert for Mg, but may switch to AF as I’ve heard good things. And this is only because Hanna doesn’t make a Mg checker. I have the Hanna nitrate too, which I know people complain about, but I have lab experience and I don’t find it that difficult.

That said, respecting the request of the OP, I’ll say that you can find good tests for all that are non-Hanna, and other members can give your their thoughts on that. However, I must recommend that you spend the money on the Hanna Alk checker. Given how often you should be testing, ease of use, speed, affordability of refills… it is very much worth the investment.

 

[KStatefan]

Alkalinty - Hanna
Calcuim - Red Sea
Mag - Red Sea
Nitrate - Hanna
Phosphate - Hanna

 

[Spare time]

What I mean is by brand mainly. For the everyday hobbist. Not someone with a Trident/Mastertronic, etc.

By each parameter, lets go with the 5 main ones. I feel inclined to keep Hanna Checkers off the list as they are kinda expensive. Was thinking mainly brands like Salifert/API/Red Sea etc.

Alkalinty -
Calcuim -
Mag -
Nitrate -
Phosphate -

Thoughts?

I have had good luck with the red sea pro tests. Nyos nitrate is great. Salifert phosphate, alk, calcium, and magnesium are also good options

 

[brmc1985]

I just do the 3 minutes.

I do the 3 minutes for the first time. Then I just do it again with the same test vials. I have just noticed that I can run the test with the same test water and it will range from .00 to .05 or more. So nutrients could be .00 or could be higher and you would still think they were 0

 

[ying yang]

Think someone is a Hanna fan Lol. All good, I understand. Just at $50 a pop they are abit pricey.

Wish they was $50 each here as that be around £ 42-£45 each but cheapest i find them at is amazon at £ 69.99
Prices over here with most things saltwater so much more.you guys are lucky, guess its because less reefers in england so sell less maybe.

 

[arking_mark]

I do the 3 minutes for the first time. Then I just do it again with the same test vials. I have just noticed that I can run the test with the same test water and it will range from .00 to .05 or more. So nutrients could be .00 or could be higher and you would still think they were 0

I only use one vial per measurement as it's a colorimeter and worry that using 2 different vials will effect results.

 

[brmc1985]

I only use one vial per measurement as it's a colorimeter and worry that using 2 different vials will effect results.

Meh. I’d rather have a range that I know is safe instead of one test that shows zero or .1 when the real results could be .05