Question about why my sps isn't doing well

[Mattrg02]

Just a recommendation from experience, buy the Hanna Alk checker. It gives you an exact number rather than a chart where you match colors. Soooo worth the extra like $40 compared to a normal alk liquid test kit.

I’d advise against this checker. I had one and found it to be very inconsistent. Almost impossible to keep the liquid regent from changing its concentration. Google shows that many people have had issues with it as well.

Salifert alkalinity is pretty simple to use and very consistent.

 

[Mattrg02]

The likelihood of anyone recommending API over Salifert is slim to none. For what it's worth, I'd grab the Hanna alk checker and not bother with the phosphorous checker. I've checked phosphates maybe three times the past six months; not worth investing the money in the kit.

The Hanna ULR checker is about the only Hanna checker that I found to be worth having. My phosphate will drop to near zero after a few days.

 

[madweazl]

@madweazl in that case I will pick up the Hanna alk checker then

You'll get a lot more use out of it.

I’d advise against this checker. I had one and found it to be very inconsistent. Almost impossible to keep the liquid regent from changing its concentration. Google shows that many people have had issues with it as well.

Salifert alkalinity is pretty simple to use and very consistent.

I'm not sure why that has been an issue for people, I've not run into this problem and I use the reagent until there is nothing left. Results are always within .1 dKh of one another and within .2-.3 to the Salifert kit. In regard to phosphates, I've found no need to test more often than every few months (or ever unless the corals appearance give reason to). Additionally, I've yet to have the Hanna ULR come close to Triton results (Triton results are typically about 33% of the Hanna's results). When Hanna read .153, Triton results came back .046, Hanna at .058, Triton .010 ect.. Regardless of which one is correct (if either), nothing in the tank has looked any different.

Regardless of which brand is preferred, alkalinity will get used more than phosphate so grab a quality kit there first.

 

[reefndude]

I find the Hanna alk checker to be very consistent with a single reagent. What I have noticed when using a new one numbers will be slightly different from the last reagent bottle. A little up or down. All I tend to worry about is if the numbers stay relatively the same through the bottle

 

[madweazl]

I find the Hanna alk checker to be very consistent with a single reagent. What I have noticed when using a new one numbers will be slightly different from the last reagent bottle. A little up or down. All I tend to worry about is if the numbers stay relatively the same through the bottle

That would be consistent with Mattrg02's results.

 

[reefndude]

That would be consistent with Mattrg02's results.

Yes. One bottle may read 7.6 dkh and I can test 3 or 4 times in a row and get same reading. Open up another bottle and it may read 7.8 and it will read the same if I tested 3 or 4 times in a row. Other test kits I have tried I may get completely different reading with each test. User error could be issue.
With Hannah I know with confidence if I need to up or back off of my dosing