Salifert test kit questions

[TheShrimpNibbler]

So, I saw that saltwateraquariums.com has salifert test kits on sale right now. I currently have the api master test kit with ammonia, ph and two others I can’t remember. As you can guess, it’s just not getting the job done, and I can’t test calc or alk or any of that stuff. I wondered what you all think about the salifert master reef test kit? It doesn’t come with ammonia or nitrite tests. What do you all think about these tests compared to api?

 

[Crabs McJones]

I've used salifert for years and it's great for testing. Very accurate and easy to read

 

[dwest]

So, I saw that saltwateraquariums.com has salifert test kits on sale right now. I currently have the api master test kit with ammonia, ph and two others I can’t remember. As you can guess, it’s just not getting the job done, and I can’t test calc or alk or any of that stuff. I wondered what you all think about the salifert master reef test kit? It doesn’t come with ammonia or nitrite tests. What do you all think about these tests compared to api?

I agree that salifert are darn good and typical my go to kits. Although if I were buying test kits, I pretty much agree with the brs “best of” video series. One of the videos is below. FWIW I use salifert for ca, mg, no3, but use Hannah for ulr phosphate and alkalinity.

Best Magnesium Test Kit of 2019: Our new go-to reef tank Magnesium test!

NYOS Magnesium Test Kit High quality components and reagents NYOS test kits include high quality components with calibrated syringes for consistent drop sizes and all of the reagents are analysed using NIST standards. Combined with a very distinct

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[muzikalmatt]

I agree that salifert are darn good and typical my go to kits. Although if I were buying test kits, I pretty much agree with the brs “best of” video series. One of the videos is below. FWIW I use salifert for ca, mg, no3, but use Hannah for ulr phosphate and alkalinity.

Best Magnesium Test Kit of 2019: Our new go-to reef tank Magnesium test!

NYOS Magnesium Test Kit High quality components and reagents NYOS test kits include high quality components with calibrated syringes for consistent drop sizes and all of the reagents are analysed using NIST standards. Combined with a very distinct

www.bulkreefsupply.com

Agree on all points. While I've used salifert for alkalinity and phosphate testing, I find the Hannah checkers much more convenient especially for alkalinity which I test quite frequently. The salifert phosphate test is a bit hard to read at the lower levels and given my phosphates hover between 0.02 and 0.07, I find the Hanna ULR checker much more reliable. You can't go wrong with Salifert though. They've been around for a long time and come highly recommended for a reason.

 

[stanleo]

I use Salifert for phosphate and nitrate, Red sea for calcium, alk, mag and API for pH.

BTW @dwest , I love your tag line. LOL

 

[TheShrimpNibbler]

Agree on all points. While I've used salifert for alkalinity and phosphate testing, I find the Hannah checkers much more convenient especially for alkalinity which I test quite frequently. The salifert phosphate test is a bit hard to read at the lower levels and given my phosphates hover between 0.02 and 0.07, I find the Hanna ULR checker much more reliable. You can't go wrong with Salifert though. They've been around for a long time and come highly recommended for a reason.

I’m sure that the Hannah checkers are quite convenient and a bit more accurate, but they just aren’t in my budget.

 

[dwest]

I’m sure that the Hannah checkers are quite convenient and a bit more accurate, but they just aren’t in my budget.

Can’t go wrong with Salifert. Just a heads up though....you might get a good deal with Black Friday coming up.

 

[TheShrimpNibbler]

Can’t go wrong with Salifert. Just a heads up though....you might get a good deal with Black Friday coming up.

I did have that thought, but I don’t have an RODI unit, so gha is running rampant, and I don’t have a power head yet. My only flow comes from my hob filter. I figured I could put any money I save on kits towards that. I guess it will depend on what deals I can find.

 

[dwest]

I did have that thought, but I don’t have an RODI unit, so gha is running rampant, and I don’t have a power head yet. My only flow comes from my hob filter. I figured I could put any money I save on kits towards that. I guess it will depend on what deals I can find.

Yep, those are tough decisions for sure. I would probably get a good rodi first, then powerhead, then test kits. I’ve honestly went years without testing for anything other than salinity during some of my earlier years. I don’t recommend it, but sometimes testing does more harm than good IMO. Good luck either way!

 

[BeejReef]

I like the saliferts that I use.. nitrate and ph. Can't speak to the others. Nitrrite and Ammonia were simple enough as well, but you're done with them anyway.

Nitrate, in particular, I really like. For the red sea low and high range tests, you have to run a dilution, go through several steps, and wait nine minutes for the end reading.

True, the color wheel is a nice touch, but at the end of the day, it's still the human eye.

The sailifert's low and high range is accomplished at the same time. For the high range, you look down through the sample... for the low range, you look through the side. Even if you struggle with the exact colors, once you're at that low level, you're debating "is it two, or is it five?"

 

[reefiniteasy]

I use Salifert for Mg, Ca, Alk, NO3, pH, and phosphate. They are excellent. The only one that I have trouble with is Phosphate. I cannot tell the difference between the different shades of blue. I laminated the instruction sheets so I don’t ruin them if they get wet. Very affordable and accurate.

 

[PatW]

Salifert enjoys a good reputation. And their tests tend to be user favorites. I use their magnesium test. I am partial to Red Sea Pro for Ca and Nitrates. I like Hanna for ALK and Phosphates. Red Sea is fine for ALK, Ca, Mg, and nitrates. For phosphates, Hanna ULR is really the best option.

 

[homer1475]

Salifert are great little kits that don't break the bank(bonus!). I used them for years, and some kits I still use from them.

With that said, I use Hanna for ALK, and phosphates, salifert for cal and mag, and red sea pro for nitrates. I do still use the salifert ALK to cross refrence the hanna once in a while.

 

[reefiniteasy]

For phosphates, Hanna ULR is really the best option.

This will be my next purchase. The shades of blue on the Salifert are awful.

 

[Greg P]

Alk, Ca, Mag, K, NO2, and NO3 I use Salifert and am happy with them for these tests.

PO4 I use the Hanna ULR. Make sure you use a conversion chart if you are looking for
Phosphate results and not Phosphorus.

https://hannainst.com/resources/aquarium/guides/phosphorus-to-phosphate-conversion-table--hanna-instruments.pdf

For NH3 I have a Salifert kit but never use it. If I'm needing to see any ammonia I use a Seachem Ammo Alert which is left in the tank while I'm monitoring.

 

[reefiniteasy]

PO4 I use the Hanna ULR. Make sure you use a conversion chart if you are looking for
Phosphate results and not Phosphorus.

I’m confused. I thought the Hanna Phosphate ULR measures phophate in ppm. Why would I need to convert to phosphate?

 

[Greg P]

In the past

I’m confused. I thought the Hanna Phosphate ULR measures phophate in ppm. Why would I need to convert to phosphate?

ULR measures Phosphorus, not Phosphate.

You need to use the chart I linked to for conversion. You cannot just move the decimal place 3 points.