reliable testing kits?

[Celbrise]

haven't been testing my waters for a very long time; years. slowly working on making my tank better and im looking to invest in some reliable kits. i only have experience with API both the strips and the liquid kit they didn't seem very reliable imo everything would check out fine but the nitrates would be extremely high regardless what i did it wouldn't lower at all. the kits were not expired as well and they only sell API kits where i live.

i was thinking the red sea ones but idk how good those ones are. any suggestions?

also which kits should i buy like phosphate, etc.. im just keeping a FOWLR tank no corals. eventually want to introduce coraline algae though

 

[lickyricky]

The Red Sea pro kits are the most accurate IMO

 

[SashimiTurtle]

Red Sea Pro are great. I also use the Hanna HI772 alk checker. I've no personal experience with them, but Salifert tests are also trusted by other reefers.

 

[Grey Guy]

Salifert"s seem to be real easy to use. That's why I like them. Not sure how they compare in accuracy to others.

 

[PatW]

API tests can be quick and dirty.

I like Red Sea Pro for nitrate.
I use Red Sea Pro for calcium and alkalinity. Salifert seems to have a clearer end point for alkalinity.
I like Salifert for magnesium.
And for phosphates Hanna does not seem to have competition.

Most people like Red Sea Pro, Salifert or Hanna.

 

[Celbrise]

which ones should i buy? nitrates, nitrites, phosphate and what else?

 

[lickyricky]

which ones should i buy? nitrates, nitrites, phosphate and what else?

Here is what you need (IMO)
Refractometer
PH
Ammonia
Nitrite
Nitrate
If you plan on growing corals add on;
Alkalinity KH
Calcium
Magnesium
Phosphate

 

[Celbrise]

thank you. yea i am in need of a refractometer as well. got a cheap hydrometer but it doesn't seem very accurate when i test the same water from my tank might be because i never clean it

 

[Slayvoff]

do these kits expire in a relevant amount of time - like within a few years? Or are they good to buy now for a tank I plan to set up in a few months?

 

[Celbrise]

im sure they expire within a few years so i wouldn't buy them if your not planning to set up soon. i would just focus on buying your equipment first i mean these test kits are on the cheaper side compared to the equipment like filters, lights, etc.. those thinks won't expire they will just get out dated and lower in price eventually. i assume that the older the solutions get the less accurate they become but i can't really confirm this. i mean in the future if you want to you could try testing it out with an expired kit of the same kind and a new one and see how the results turn out.

 

[KJ]

Salifert.

 

[SashimiTurtle]

Kits have an expiration date on the reagents. It's printed on the label. You have plenty of time to use it up before it expires testing weekly, but I wouldn't stockpile them. If getting the Hanna for phosphates, get the HI736 ULR Phosphorus... The other one can't read really low.

Also, watch these...

 

[dbl]

I personally think the best test kits are the ones easiest for you to use and get consistent testing results. A fun little read if you're interested. Just my opinion.

https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/the-best-test-kit-a-different-philosophy.80/