Good Test Kits?

Evan28395950 · May 20, 2019

Finally about to place my order for some decent test kits. I would use these along with the api test kit (ammonia, ph, nitrate, nitrite). Just wondering if this should be Enough for a tank with mostly lps/soft, looking to move into sps more soon.

roberthu526 · May 20, 2019

These are good ones. For Alk I use Hanna because the color change of the Red Sea kit is too subtle for my eyes.

hdsoftail1065 · May 20, 2019

roberthu526 said:
These are good ones. For Alk I use Hanna because the color change of the Red Sea kit is too subtle for my eyes.

Agree, I really like the Hanna alk.

Dkeller_nc · May 20, 2019

The Red Sea kits will do well for you. I use Salifert or home-brew for everything except phosphate. Red Sea/Salifert preference is largely based on the reefer's preference. The Salifert kits are minimalist and have completely disposable components. The Red Sea kits are designed to be re-used with refill kits.

cracker · May 20, 2019

Good choices I use the same ! Keep in mind every kit will give You a different reading . Easy to go crazy worrying which is right. Pick a kit & stick with that one .

Jet915 · May 20, 2019

Nice choices, I would get a hanna for alk though.

Evan28395950 · May 20, 2019

Jet915 said:
Nice choices, I would get a hanna for alk though.

I ended up going with Red Sea for alk, kinda on a budget at the moment.

ryeguyy84 · May 20, 2019

If you haven't placed the order yet it's $5 cheaper here plus you get $5 off for joining the rewards program... Every bit helps

https://clearchoiceaquatics.com/collections/red-sea-testing

Evan28395950 · May 20, 2019

ryeguyy84 said:
If you haven't placed the order yet it's $5 cheaper here plus you get $5 off for joining the rewards program... Every bit helps

https://clearchoiceaquatics.com/collections/red-sea-testing

Aw shucks, placed the order an hour ago. But thanks for the link, I’ll make sure to use it next time

Evan28395950 · May 20, 2019

Also, how often should I plan on testing? Is every other week not enough?

ryeguyy84 · May 20, 2019

You should shoot for weekly if you're just starting out. You could do every other week once you get a feel for the tank.

For me it's nice to have a schedule so I know Wednesday is maintenance day, water change and testing... Sometimes Thursday, sometimes sat but i try and shoot for Wednesday lol

o00brandon00o · May 21, 2019

@Evan28395950 Read instructions well and maybe even a video demo or two. I missed subtle nuances like where to set the plunger on the 1mL syringe for KH. Little inconsistencies that could skew results.

RJinPV · May 21, 2019

Evan28395950 said:
I ended up going with Red Sea for alk, kinda on a budget at the moment.

I have the Red Sea test kits. What others say about the alk color change being hard to see is true. You have to be able to discern blue from a blueish-green. It is very subtle. I was switching from a Salifert alk kit at the time and the Red Sea reading agreed with the Sailfert at the FIRST drop you think you see a color change. I'm going to look into the Hanna Alk kit before I'll buy a Red Sea refill.

Orm Embar · May 21, 2019

I have found Salifert to be very accurate as well as easy to read (much moreso than other brands including Elos). I do use Hanna for high range copper.

I have heard that Red Sea's magnesium test kit generally reads abnormally high.

Some light reading: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/b...s-salifert-api-hanna-triton-awt.234660/page-3