How Many Test Kits Do You Have?

LilElroyJetson · Apr 9, 2019

I know...I have a problem. I was organizing my supply cabinet and realized I have clearly accumulated more test kits than should ever be necessary. BUT it has been helpful having everything I need at arms reach, and the ease of use of these kits has caused me to test consistently, which I’m happy about.

Are any of you as crazy as I am? (Clearly no judgement over here...I lined mine up to take a photo for you people. ;Hilarious)

Jinko · Apr 9, 2019

Your pic seems about right, better to have them than to not.

I do plan to switch over to Hanna on pretty much everything eventually.

LilElroyJetson · Apr 9, 2019

Jinko said:
Your pic seems about right, better to have them than to not.

I do plan to switch over to Hanna on pretty much everything eventually.

The Hanna checkers are great. Easier to read with higher accuracy and easier to use except for the calcium checker which uses two separate reagents and two different samples of water but I still prefer using it.

Paul B · Apr 9, 2019

Elliott Comans · Apr 9, 2019

Nyos Alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, phosphate
Api Nitrate, ph
Hanna Salinity
Red sea coral colour kit

So 11 all up.

Elliott Comans · Apr 9, 2019

Paul B said:
one

Which 1 is the choosen 1 to rule them all?

Paul B · Apr 9, 2019

A swing arm hydrometer.

paul barker · Apr 9, 2019

hanna I have 4 no3 Alk Cal Salinity

NinnJinn · Apr 9, 2019

If Hanna instruments was able to come out with a tester for saltwater ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate I would be strictly Hanna.

Having to decipher Between Shades of a color drives me insane!

Gareth elliott · Apr 9, 2019

I wish the checkers were bluetooth, do a test log it for me [emoji23].

nitrogen tests are very much affected by salinity there is thread about using one of their checkers with nitrate regents and doing math.

standam · Apr 9, 2019

three
Salinity, temperature and nitrates

jd371 · Apr 9, 2019

Hanna: Alk, PO4 ( I have the Ca also but never use it )
Salifert: Ca,Mg,No3
Refractometer at the mixing station and Milwaukee digital refractometer for testing.

Slim64684 · Apr 9, 2019

Brs refractometer
Red Sea: CA, ALK, MG
Hannah ULR Phosphate
Salifert: NO3
API: Ammonia, NO2, NO3, Ph, PO4, ALK,

LilElroyJetson · Apr 9, 2019

Elliott Comans said:
Nyos Alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, phosphate
Api Nitrate, ph
Hanna Salinity
Red sea coral colour kit

So 11 all up.

Found another crazy! Welcome to the party. ;Woot

LilElroyJetson · Apr 9, 2019

Paul B said:
A swing arm hydrometer.

I had a feeling after I’d read your “How to Run a Reef the Alternate Way (Without Quarantine)” article lol. Really great read!

LilElroyJetson · Apr 9, 2019

NinnJinn said:
If Hanna instruments was able to come out with a tester for saltwater ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate I would be strictly Hanna.

Having to decipher Between Shades of a color drives me insane!

Nitrite and ammonia I don’t care for so much, I never test for them anyway and my Seneye reports ammonia. But would love a nitrate specific test kit.

MrObscura · Apr 9, 2019

Alk hanna checker
ATI master (for the basics during cycle, and just no3 now)
Red sea reef(cal and mag, and backup alk. But the mag always tests high)
Salifert po4(which kind of sucks)

LilElroyJetson · Apr 9, 2019

Gareth elliott said:
I wish the checkers were bluetooth, do a test log it for me [emoji23].

nitrogen tests are very much affected by salinity there is thread about using one of their checkers with nitrate regents and doing math.

I’m not trying to encourage unnecessary spending...but Hanna has a bluetooth pH probe...just saying!

Yeah I read thru that thread. Really interesting workaround and if you keep your salinity stable it should lend to the consistency of the tests although I still question the accuracy. I spoke with Hanna and they are aware of the reef hobbyist demand for marine testers and are working on it. Hopefully these tests continue to get more accurate and easier to use!