Test kit
- Thread starter Chucky
- Start date
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Timfish
Crusty Old Salt
If it works. 
I have a Hanna alklinity but testing with a friends tester with the same sample of water got almost a 1 dKH difference with four tests (each teset with both regents). Pesonally I've found APIs alkalinity easier and quicker and cheaper to us and more than accurate enough as the researchers are typically using the meq/l scale.
I have a Hanna alklinity but testing with a friends tester with the same sample of water got almost a 1 dKH difference with four tests (each teset with both regents). Pesonally I've found APIs alkalinity easier and quicker and cheaper to us and more than accurate enough as the researchers are typically using the meq/l scale.
OP
OP
Chucky
Active Member
I own the Api but everyone says get Hannah 
If it works.
Jim Gomoll
Active Member
Sounds like a good deal for the price.
Been reading a bunch of post on R2R about how the ALK reagents are not consistant batch to batch. Search R2R for ALK reagent issues. Personaly I'd go with a Salifert kit myself.
Been reading a bunch of post on R2R about how the ALK reagents are not consistant batch to batch. Search R2R for ALK reagent issues. Personaly I'd go with a Salifert kit myself.
Timfish
Crusty Old Salt
I own the Api but everyone says get Hannah
Yeah, that's why I got one was because of all the hype. But comparing a new tester to my friends who has had one for several years I wasn't impressed with ease of use or especially accuracy. And I learned a long time ago with whatever tester or test kit used there can be issues with the reagents so haveing multiple testers or test kits is advisable and testers or test kits should be occasionally checked someway, at least by comparing to another tester. API's alkalinity test kit is more than accurate enough, simpler to use, cheaper to use and easier to check against other test kits. My advice , for whichever test kit or tester you're thinking of using, is connect with aquarist suing different ones and see for your self which you find preferable to use yourself.
Just FYI here are what I use. I use alkalinity very frequently and as a new aquarist I'd suggest initially tesing the big 4, Alklinity, pH, Calcium and Magnesium weekly for a while to help you understand how things can change with no apparent difference in you system and how your system may change with no changes in your parameters. Beside having multiples I also compare new ones to old ones to make sure there's no differences in readings (besides bad batches of reagents mentioned above I've also found reagents apparently aging faster than the given experation dates).
pH - API
Alkalinity - API, Red Sea
Calcium - API
nitrite - NA
Nitrate - Nyos, Red Sea, API
PO4 - Elos, Nyos, Salifert
Magnesium - Red Sea
It's cheaper than a new unit by a long way, so in that way it's a good deal.
I personally don't like the idea of a digital color comparison type test for alkalinity. Alk is, by definition, a titration. I like API and Salifert for alk.
I personally don't like the idea of a digital color comparison type test for alkalinity. Alk is, by definition, a titration. I like API and Salifert for alk.
