Lamotte Test Kits..?

cmjreef · Jun 8, 2009

Does Lamotte have decent Calcium and Magnesium kits? If so, which ones do you use? What other Lamotte kits do you trust and use? I use the 4491 Alk kit and really like it, but I cant seem to find a good calcium or magnesium kit and I was thinking about going with Elos.

reefpoor · Jun 8, 2009

I use Elos, Ca, Mg and Kh and I really like them for ease of use and accuracy. I just ordered their Nitrate and Phosphate kits to give them a try. I may ultimately end up with a Hanna for phosphate, seems to be the best

Robthorn · Jun 26, 2009

Craig. elos is marginal at best. Lamotte 3609 calcium. elos can't even make a box to stand their bottles up in. How much sense would this make?

stunreefer · Jun 26, 2009

I use LaMotte Ca and Alk kits, but I cannot stand the Ca kit. It's very difficult to read, over time I've become use to it but still a PITA.

For Mg I use ELOS and it rocks. After seeing how easy the ELOS Ca kit was at Juniors house I'm more than tempted to switch... I've compared both and ELOS was right on with LaMotte, although LaMotte does give more readability and is the most accurate kit I've come across.

143gadgets · Jun 26, 2009

I love Lamotte! Use them for Alk. I'm using Salifert for Mg and Ca.

drew.michael · Jun 26, 2009

i use lamotte for alk. I like it but the indicator colors is not as "distinct" as say the red sea test kits. But I think it is the most accurate.

Robthorn · Jun 26, 2009

Not disinct? Mine is very distinct. Maybe you are using another version?

sailfish · Jun 26, 2009

I use lamotte for DKH and Elos for everything else.

Joe

Tankgeeks · Jun 30, 2009

I use lamotte for Alk. its a great test kit and very easy to use/read. It's also nice they sell refills.

cultivatedcoral · Jun 30, 2009

We carry LaMotte Alk, Calcium and Phosphate test kits. You can purchase them here.

Cultivated Coral

cmjreef · Jul 1, 2009

thanks for the responses. So far, Im using Lamotte for Alk. and Salifert for Ca and Mg, but I'm thinking about switching to Elos for Ca and Mg. Good idea?

aquafrags · Jul 1, 2009

I like the lamotte ALK kit, Salifert calicum, also, Elos Mag and ALK are very good

Tankgeeks · Jul 2, 2009

Nick's a great guy with great prices (Cultivated Coral) thats where I got my test kits from.

Robthorn · Jul 2, 2009

Craig you want me to bring my calcium kit for you to try?

eggie · Jul 2, 2009

I only use Lamotte for Nitrate
Calcium, Mag and Alk are Elos very easy to use and accurate

cmjreef · Jul 15, 2009

Rob, don't you have to use distilled water as part of the Lamotte Ca test? Isn't that a bit of a pain? Doable, but still a PITA.

H@rry · Jul 15, 2009

I have always used Salifert test kits. Sometime back (over a year ago) I heard some talk that Salifert was a one man show by a chemist in Holland. The guy was Habib and posted every once in a while on "that other forum". Well it seems like he "went missing" and the quality of the test kits were in question. At that point I switched to Lamotte for Alk (which is all I ever test for). I'm pleased with Lamotte and really appreciate that I can order refills instead of buying the whole kit again. Now it seems that Habib has resurfaced. Has anyone else heard anything about this? I don't like to spread rumors but I found it quite interesting.

gnoles · Jul 18, 2009

I've played with the Salifert for Magnesium and Phosphate and they work well. I like the Lamotte refill approach, but some of the tests seem expensive.

Steve Ruddy · Jul 18, 2009

After many years of using and selling different kits. We have settled on the Lamotte for Alkalinity. Seachem for Calcium and Magnesium. Seachem Calcium has everything we feel important. Easy to read, easy to use, great value, and has a control sample to check against in case your in doubt about your results.

Robthorn · Jul 25, 2009

Craig you are right you have to add a little clean water. Ro/di is what I use. Should be close enough since my meter says it's bad when it hits .66ppm tds. It is somewhat of a pain in the butt but I think I could check the same water 20 times in a row and get the same results. I can't say that for all kits. Again if you want I can bring it up next time to try out.
sorry so long to respond we just got back from our cruise. No cell phone out of the states. I actually think I tried to call you before I left and got no return. Same for pierre. Or at least no return before we left.