Chocked the API test kits

[ryecoon]

So i had to switch from the garbage API test kits and try out this new salifert what do u guys think. More accurate?

 

[Waters]

Yes, the Salifert test kits are definitely more accurate than the API test kits.....unfortunately the price is MUCH higher as well :-(

 

[ryecoon]

way too expensive. Thats why i just got these two for now. lol and im getting the Hanna Checker for phos.

 

[rayn]

I use API just for ammonia testing. Salifert or Hanna checker for anything else. Good move

 

[ryecoon]

Thanks buddy. How about nitrate for API?

 

[rayn]

I will when cycling a tank just to see. Anything I want to know accurate, then no.

 

[ryecoon]

Ok i see. Ill pick up a salifert test kit for Nitrate also.

 

[Timfish]

Been using the API since forever. I keep hearing how inaccurate they are but every time I see a comparison made they hold up just fine. Here's two good articles:

http://dfwmas.org/files/TestKitAnalysis.pdf
Aquarium Chemistry: An Attempt to Test Test Kits ? Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog

And here's a good one about chasing numbers:

Reefs Magazine - Skeptical Reefkeeping IX: Test Kits, Chasing Numbers and Phosphate

 

[ryecoon]

hmmm thats interesting.

 

[ritter6788]

Been using the API since forever. I keep hearing how inaccurate they are but every time I see a comparison made they hold up just fine.l]

Same here.

 

[Waters]

The problem with the API test kits is they can be difficult to read and interpret. For example you can test and have two different people give the result and end up with two different answers. Test kits like Salifert make it much easier to get consistent readings. I think that is more where the inaccuracies come from.

 

[ryecoon]

I Agree. The hardest one to read is the phosphate test.

 

[StikHedRon]

Check out Red Sea tests, you can get there reef foundation kit which is Cal, Alk and Mag for $44 at Premium Aquatics. Salifert can't touch red sea on price and if you ask me I prefer the redsea over salifert for the nice case they come in and they provide glass vials for testing in versus the plastic that salifert uses. But either are better than API

 

[ryecoon]

You know what crazy? i actually bought that one too smh lol and the Red Sea Iodine test kit. Why? i have no idea. lol