Salifert vs Red Sea for no3?

[Reefltx]

Weird, I have both now. Purchased the Red Sea just recently and salifert is fairly new. But I'm getting completely different results from both. Using the salifert, I'm seeing 50 for low range, which is 5ppm. On the Red Sea, I'm getting .25ppm?

 

[beyarbrough]

Bulk reef supply just put out a video discussing the accuracy of nitrate tests, specifically red sea and salifert kits. It's worth a watch if you have a few minutes to spare. I have only used red sea and api so I cannot comment on salifert.

 

[jsker]

Weird, I have both now. Purchased the Red Sea just recently and salifert is fairly new. But I'm getting completely different results from both. Using the salifert, I'm seeing 50 for low range, which is 5ppm. On the Red Sea, I'm getting .25ppm?

Are you running the high range or low range on the Red Sea?

 

[Reefltx]

Are you running the high range or low range on the Red Sea?

I'm guessing low range since I'm using 16ml of sample water?

 

[jsker]

I'm guessing low range since I'm using 16ml of sample water?

hmmm If salifret's reads a 5ppm then the Red Sea would also read off the chart for the low range. 4ppm is as high a the low range will test.

This video link does a pretty good job explaining the colors with salifert's It has been awhile since I have use salifert test, they change the card for colors I have been using Red Sea for the reason I found them easier to read.

 

[wkscott]

The difference between Salifert and Red Sea was just discussed this week by BRS.
Long video. I watched it twice.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/b...ts-two-rise-to-victory-one-falls-flat.299595/

 

[beyarbrough]

If the salifert kit for nitrate is anything like the phosphate I commend you for your ability to discern color differences. If I recall correctly brs eliminated salifert from the bulk of that video for its difficulty to read. I like salifert but my eyes are simply not accurate enough for their phosphate kit.

 

[Velcro]

I like Red Sea for low range (<=4ppm) and nyos for >4ppm

 

[Graffiti Spot]

Sad they didn't include saliferts. Getting a few opinions on each test would suffice. I don't have issues and I am real bad with colors.

 

[HolisticBear]

I like Red Sea for low range (<=4ppm) and nyos for >4ppm

+1 I really like Nyos for keeping No3 between 3-5. Same point is made in the BRS video mentioned above.

 

[CoralNerd]

I've tried API, Salifert and I recently purchased the Giesemann no3 test kits.

API well we know that's just ok.

Giesemann the water turned neon pink and I'm looking at the cart and I can't find anything that matches that color. My friend thinks I'm color blind but I'm thinking I'm not lol.

Salifert is really easy to use and so far I like it the most but, man I wish the color changes were easier to read on all these test. I figured it's easier on the Salifert to read it from above than on the side as I'm trying to keep my nitrates between 2 to 5.

I just ordered the Red Sea test kit so stay tuned.

 

[Graffiti Spot]

Saliferts says keep the glass on the card when reading from the side but that doesn't work well. I read it by looking through the glass with the card well lot behind it a few inches. I can feed heavily for a day or two and see the slight rise in nitrates from 0 to .02.
If saliferts read 5 and the red Sea read well below that, I would figure that the saliferts kit would be more accurate in the low range numbers.

 

[reeferfoxx]

Saliferts says keep the glass on the card when reading from the side but that doesn't work well.

If you read the cup from the side, the density of color increases more than if you look straight down. I highly doubt salifert would have wanted to read it from the side. I wish I wasn't at work so I could look at the instructions. But, that doesn't sound right.

 

[Graffiti Spot]

That's how saliferts low range nitrate test is read.

 

[reeferfoxx]

That's how saliferts low range nitrate test is read.

My goodness. You are correct! I think I've been reading my nitrates incorrectly for some time now. Argh. Looks like I have some work to do tonight lol!

 

[reeferfoxx]

I'm happy to report that I wasn't reading my salifert test kit incorrectly. I just don't keep my nitrates that low. Or at least for the low range testing. BRS did do a video on nitrate test kits. I still find it funny they wouldn't compare to the salifert. I suspect the accuracy to price range to be a bit competitive. (just my opinion). As far as reading your results, I find it easiest to read under incandescent lighting opposed to whiter light or CFL lighting. I did 3 tests in a row and all seemed very consistent from one another. I keep my no3 between 2-5ppm.

 

[ashr]

I have noticed the same with my Alk Redsea test kits vs others.. always reads higg... :/

 

[drawman]

I've really liked Salifert's NO3 kit. I've found the Red Sea to be not very accurate.

 

[CoralNerd]

I've really liked Salifert's NO3 kit. I've found the Red Sea to be not very accurate.

Now you tell me...lol I just bought one. [emoji15]

 

[drawman]

Now you tell me...lol I just bought one. [emoji15]

Honestly the more I think about it I think it was the PO4 kit that gave me the most trouble. That probably led me to lose some confidence in the NO3 kit. Either way I've had great results from Salifert and I think it is pretty easy to read.