Lets talk test kits.

[robbrouse]

Not to bag on the hanna checks but out of my price range.

In my fresh water days I was a BIG fan of API, so needless to say I started with them in reef keeping.. Now I dont think they are so good.. I was thinking red sea.. I have there Nitrite and Phosphate and then seem good.. What are your guys thoughts.. I like the box they come in..

 

[GHill762]

stay away from API..

I really like my red sea.. next I might give elos or salifert a try, but I may not need to with that mindstream thingy coming out :whoo:

 

[robbrouse]

Yeah I tested my phosphate with API then redsea way off took a sample to LFS and the read sea was spot on. So Tossed all the API crap.. If the mindstream thing is what I'm thinking I'm hearing $1 a test...

 

[GHill762]

Yeah I tested my phosphate with API then redsea way off took a sample to LFS and the read sea was spot on. So Tossed all the API crap.. If the mindstream thing is what I'm thinking I'm hearing $1 a test...

you're probably thinking of thrive analytics or whatever, that machine that alllows you to test your water at your LFS..

mindstream is a new thing coming out you apparenly put in your tank that wirelessly uploads real-time parameters (alk, cal, temp, ph, etc.. the whole shebang) to your computer.. one flourescent testing "disc" appears to be good for like a month and a half or something.. no more test kits, just read the real-time info.. it's on the front page of reefbuilders and advancedaquarist right now..

 

[redfishbluefish]

I'm Red Sea all the way. With an established tank where I do a 15 gallon/week water change on a 90 DT, I only test for alk, calc and mag....about once a week or so. Can't beat Red Sea with that little screw-on mixing gizmo that holds the syringe.

 

[Velodog2]

Just got the Red Sea combo test box and loves it. Blown away by how simple the the alk test is. The Ca and Mg are not too bad either and the equipment is nice to work with. The tests seem repeatable and the titration end points are easy to read. The plastic box is a low-ball item however with everything but the sample bottles just jammed together without an extra millimeter to spare. Pita.

 

[FL_Reefer]

For all of my testing I use Redsea. Easy to use and read for me.

 

[AZDesertRat]

I use the API liquid kit for the initial cycle since accuracy is not an issue then. After that its Salifert all the way.

 

[Spendley]

Stuck on my first purchase, API rest kits. In the future I am either looking at Red Sea or Salifert (was thinking Hanna checkers, but will probably wait til that new fancy gadget comes out that checks everything).

API shows my calcium as like 580+, so I have a hard time trusting it.

 

[NanaReefer]

I used API for the first 2yrs of reefing. Successfully I might add. Then I was given a RedSea Pro, Ca/Alk/Mag and have been using it now for 2yrs, successfully
I still use API for No2/No3/ammonia.

 

[glb]

Red Sea pro for mg, hanna checkers for alk and phosphates, salifert for nitrates and calcium. I'm very happy with the more accurate readings.

 

[prdubois]

I use red sea or hanna for everything

 

[Spendley]

API does not offer a mag kit (at least with their two common saltwater + reef kit packages) - is this something I should really be testing for?

A Red Sea mag / alk / cal kit sounds perfect. Hmm....

 

[arhalster]

I've had Red Sea test kits for almost a year. Reef Foundation, Coral Colors, and Algae Management. I wouldn't use any other tests. There customer service is great too, if you ever need them.