Hey so I’m still new to saltwater aquariums, I’ve been using an API test kit to date but looking at “upgrading” to either the Hannah, Red Sea, or Salifert or a combination of any or all of them. Just curious what y’all recommend? Are Hannah’s worth the cost? I’ve read some threads dating back to 2012 but curious what people prefer here in 2018.
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the hannah alk is worth its weight in gold!!
red sea calcium and the nitrate pro kit is really nice.
salifert calcium is also good.
hannah cooper is also awesome... don't know how I got by without it. well, I do actually...I never really knew my copper levels.
red sea calcium and the nitrate pro kit is really nice.
salifert calcium is also good.
hannah cooper is also awesome... don't know how I got by without it. well, I do actually...I never really knew my copper levels.
wesman42
Valuable Member
I do not believe Hanna is worth the cost. You have a add reagents every time you do a test....and it's expensive...like $30 for 6 tests...making each one around $5 a test. They are a good resource if you have the cash and want a convenient, easy, accurate test.
However, Salifert, I have found is the best for the money. The kits are around $20 each and you get around 75 tests per kit.
API for Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate is fine since you're looking for a range or exactly 0 which would show up in an API test.
Billldg
My Gem Tang Is Watching You
I agree with 2nd post except for the Hanna checker copper, the Hanna checker Alk is definitely worth its weight it gold, the copper one I have mixed results as mine is way to inconsistent, some how I may have stained the vials even though its only 2 months old which would cause the inconsistency, who knows, the Hanna refill kits are only 9 bucks for Alk which is a bottle of reagent and 9 bucks for copper and phosphate which is for 25 tests, the Red sea kits are very good and I use them also and would recommend.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/hi772-26-alkalinity-checker-reagents-hanna.html
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/hi702-25-copper-high-range-reagents-25-pack-hanna-instruments.html
Whatever you choose they are all good.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/hi772-26-alkalinity-checker-reagents-hanna.html
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/hi702-25-copper-high-range-reagents-25-pack-hanna-instruments.html
Whatever you choose they are all good.
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ndrwater
2500 Club Member
Agree with the Hanna for Alk and Phosphate. Their calcium isn't a good option IMO
Red Sea or Salifert for everything else..
The best part about the Hanna's are the quick time to do the test a d the actual number associated with the results as opposed to trying to decipher varios "in between" shades
Red Sea or Salifert for everything else..
The best part about the Hanna's are the quick time to do the test a d the actual number associated with the results as opposed to trying to decipher varios "in between" shades
ndrwater
2500 Club Member
Hanna kits aren't $5 a test. Since the refill is $9 for 25 tests. After the initial cost of the tester, that's like ¢.36 per test.
Thanks for your opinion though.
wesman42
Valuable Member
https://www.amazon.com/Hanna-Instru...qid=1537140219&sr=8-1&keywords=hannah+reagent
thanks for your mediocre opinion though.
thanks for your mediocre opinion though.
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ndrwater
2500 Club Member
1st off, you might do a bit more research before you make unfounded claims. Even using your link, that is still $1 per test, not $5. Second, this is a friendly forum, not some place to bash other posters with solid sound advice.
3rd https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/hi772-26-alkalinity-checker-reagents-hanna.html
Is a link to $9 refill kits. Hopefully you'll follow it and save yourself some money.
And now, back to topic...
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ndrwater
2500 Club Member
I'm not quite sure how $9 compared to $25 is overpriced, but to each their own. As for coming off aggressive, I again disagree, but to each their own. I only was giving facts, directed at the OP to make an informed decision.Don't come at me aggressively and we won't have a problem. Anything from BRS is overpriced compared to Amazon or any other source. Sorry to pop your bubble
I would suggest if you have anything else to say to me on the subject, feel free to PM me as to not derail an honest question thread.
We can agree to disagree. I have zero problem with that.
Geebs19
Give me all the Euphyllia
Hard to argue a fact. Clearly I would hope no one is buying those regents off of amazon for that price and you are clearly incorrect by sayin BRS is overpriced, your point is proven inaccurate above. I think for salt aquatic stuff is usually more expensive on amazon versus finding it in BRS or other sites. I have the Hanna phosphorus and I really like the ease of it, and I bout 25 regents for $8.
There's a thread on this board comparing test kits (https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/b...salifert-api-hanna-triton-awt.234660/page-3); based on that, I initially went with API but found that the alkalinity test was substantially off compared to other kits or the LFS.
I have since kept using API for Quarantin tank ammonia testing, but use Salifert for most other tests (calcium, alkalinity, magnesium). I think that their endpoint is much easier to see than Elos, although the Elos alkalinity kit is very fast and also accurate.
For copper, I have tried the Seachem kit, the API kit, and the Hanna high range checker. While the Hanna initial kit is expensive, refills are roughly similar to a Salifert kit the last time I ran the numbers. I can't reliably read the Seachem or API copper kits or even come close. There's another thread on how accurate the Hanna copper checker is, and while the packets are annoying I think that it's certainly the best hobbyist option that I have seen.
If I had to do it all over again . . . Salifert for everything (Ca, Mg, alk, ? ammonia) except for copper (Hanna).
I have since kept using API for Quarantin tank ammonia testing, but use Salifert for most other tests (calcium, alkalinity, magnesium). I think that their endpoint is much easier to see than Elos, although the Elos alkalinity kit is very fast and also accurate.
For copper, I have tried the Seachem kit, the API kit, and the Hanna high range checker. While the Hanna initial kit is expensive, refills are roughly similar to a Salifert kit the last time I ran the numbers. I can't reliably read the Seachem or API copper kits or even come close. There's another thread on how accurate the Hanna copper checker is, and while the packets are annoying I think that it's certainly the best hobbyist option that I have seen.
If I had to do it all over again . . . Salifert for everything (Ca, Mg, alk, ? ammonia) except for copper (Hanna).
starypotter
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@ndrwater would you say that it's important to have the super accurate Hanna for certain tests if you're not trying to run an SPS system? I'm in the same boat looking for better test kits and only have softies and LPS. I am willing to pay more if it's properly important but I'm not sure just how 'exact' your numbers with the different things need to be.
Edit- this was written around the time of post #12 and only just posted... lousy internet;Dead
Edit- this was written around the time of post #12 and only just posted... lousy internet;Dead
ndrwater
2500 Club Member
Great question. Let me preface to say I am lazy... Hate testing, and anything else that takes away from me just staring at my tank..
I also keep an SPS dominant tank, and am very familiar with the trials and tribulations associated with SPS.
So... IMO, things like Nitrate are less important than things like Alk. Again, IMO, the Hanna is worth it for the ease and accuracy. All of the kits will give a value that can be used to make an informed decision as to the overall health of the tank. In how this relates to a softie tank, I stand by the Hanna. A much smarter person that me once said SPS= Stability Promotes Success. This is still absolutely true with LPS, softies, whatever.
I have found that regardless of the test kit being used, making the grand assumption that the kit is being used correctly, that consistency is key as to the results given.
As an example, if you were to get an"X" value on whatever kit, and the following week, got a similar result, then the "average" is more important than the actual number. Conversely, if your results were "X" plus 100, then something is definitely wrong, and steps need to be taken.
ndrwater
2500 Club Member
I guess that was a very long winded answer to my original post. Hanna for Alk and Phos, Red Sea or Salifert for everything else.
The reason I also like the Hanna for Phosphate, is that in an SPS system like the one I have, a good ratio to keep in regards to Nitrate/Phosphate is roughly 5/1
SPS systems, in fact ALL systems, require some level of Nitrate and Phosphate. That is, unless you are doing a ULN, or Ultra Low Nutrient system. Then the accuracy of whatever kit one uses is definitely more important.
The reason I also like the Hanna for Phosphate, is that in an SPS system like the one I have, a good ratio to keep in regards to Nitrate/Phosphate is roughly 5/1
SPS systems, in fact ALL systems, require some level of Nitrate and Phosphate. That is, unless you are doing a ULN, or Ultra Low Nutrient system. Then the accuracy of whatever kit one uses is definitely more important.
