Is a Titrator worth it?

[Aximiate]

Im torn between a few test kits, at first i was looking at the Salifert reef testing kit which tests calcium, nitrates, phosphate, PH, alkalinity and magnesium. Im also looking at a couple red sea kits, one tests for nitrate/nitrites, ammonia, PH and alkalinity. However the other red sea only tests for calcium, alkalinity and magnesium but comes with a “professional” Titrator. I would think getting a test kit with more parameters to check would be better but am not sure if checking all of those parameters is necessary and if a titrator would be worth it? Let me know what you guys would do or if im overlooking a better test kit!

 

[Seanislav]

First, it'll depend on what's in your system. If you're into softies and the like, they're usually less demanding in their requirements to keep them happy.

If you're doing high end SPS corals, they want certain things kept in a fairly narrow range...alk, calcium, magnesium, etc. In that case, accuracy might be advantageous over tests that give more of a "ballpark" range than actual specifics. It depends on whether the expense it worth it to you, based of what kinds of critters make up your system.

 

[lpsouth1978]

Testing Nitrites, Ammonia, and pH are pretty useless IMO. Once the tank has been cycled, there should be NO need for nitrites or ammonia testing. I am not very fond of the red sea Nitrate test kit either. It is overly complicated and takes up a good deal of my storage space. I do however really like my Red Sea Pro tests for Alk, Mag, and Ca. The titrator definitely makes things a bit easier, but is not a deal breaker for me.

I actually prefer the Hanna checkers for Alk and Ca. Super easy and they don't rely on my interpretation of colors, start, and end points etc. The only downside is that they are more expensive!

 

[Donny41]

I'd avoid red sea for mag testing. Like their ca and alk tests though. Titrator is just a plastic piece to make the titration process easy to do with one hand. Shouldn't be a deal breaker

 

[King Turkey]

Testing Nitrites, Ammonia, and pH are pretty useless IMO. Once the tank has been cycled, there should be NO need for nitrites or ammonia testing. I am not very fond of the red sea Nitrate test kit either. It is overly complicated and takes up a good deal of my storage space. I do however really like my Red Sea Pro tests for Alk, Mag, and Ca. The titrator definitely makes things a bit easier, but is not a deal breaker for me.

I actually prefer the Hanna checkers for Alk and Ca. Super easy and they don't rely on my interpretation of colors, start, and end points etc. The only downside is that they are more expensive!

same the pro Ca Alk and Mg is well worth it super easy directions that are laminated.
only other test you need to keep a reef tank is nitrate and phosphate tests after a cycle.

 

[Aximiate]

As of now i only have gps, xenia and a few other leathers. I think im leaning towards the red sea kit that tests Ca, Alk and Mg. The types of corals im mainly into are the softies so would i need to look into a phosphate and nitrate test as well? Or is that more necessary for sps and lps corals?

 

[King Turkey]

As of now i only have gps, xenia and a few other leathers. I think im leaning towards the red sea kit that tests Ca, Alk and Mg. The types of corals im mainly into are the softies so would i need to look into a phosphate and nitrate test as well? Or is that more necessary for sps and lps corals?

I would invest in both having nitrate and phosphate tests will let you see if you have nutrient build up that could hurt the corals. I think.

 

[hllb]

I prefer the titrator. I prefer the Salifert Mg test, but I still use the Red Sea titrator to perform it.

I use Hanna for Alk and Po4. I hate the CA checker and don't trust it (too easy to get a bad result). I use Salifert for nitrates and Mg. Red Sea for CA.

 

[BeejReef]

I'm actually a big fan of the RS alk test.

I actually like it even more than the hannah. It's faster. If I do the same test three times in a row, the hannah wins for reading the exact (or very nearly exact) each time. BUT, if you're testing daily, u burn through those little reagent bottles and they can be wonky when near empty and from bottle to bottle.

The titrator handle (for any of their tests) makes it easier to hold up and shake the titration while holding it directly in front of the color reference card. Calcium is fine. Magnesium is a pita. If you can find an old titrator in someone's for sale junk, it's well worth it as you can then just buy the refill kits.

I'm not really a fan of the "high end plastic box" that comes with the pro-kit. It looks nice, but getting your testings supplies back into it is like tetris.

 

[hllb]

I'm not really a fan of the "high end plastic box" that comes with the pro-kit. It looks nice, but getting your testings supplies back into it is like tetris.

True, but once I watched the BRS video I don't have issues.

 

[PatW]

I'd avoid red sea for mag testing. Like their ca and alk tests though. Titrator is just a plastic piece to make the titration process easy to do with one hand. Shouldn't be a deal breaker

The titration gives nice control, but I use it on a table top for more stability. I can get the same results titrating without one. I also loathe the Red Sea mag test. The ALK and Ca are good.