Test kits to buy

aviationreef · Sep 30, 2015

I currently have API test kits for Ammonia, Nitrate, Nitrite, Phosphate, pH, Calcium, Alkalinity.
I have a magnesium test kit from salifert.
I want to upgrade some test kits to give me more accurate results as well as a better understanding of my aquarium.

I have a 60 cube with 10gallon sump, 4 fish and a few corals. I am thinking about adding a 20-40 gallon display Refugium with some macro algae.

What test kits should i upgrade or buy new? What is the best brand i have heard good things about hanna but they are expensive. what numbers do i need to be exact and what ones would do a good job at being approximate like they are from the API.

I was thinking of buying would be a iron test kit, any others i would need?
and maybe upgrade phosphate, alkalinity, calcium?
Should i get red sea or spend the money and get the hanna.
I heard Iron and Phosphate would be very important for a display refugium, should i splurge for the hanna here?

Thanks for any advice!

Seaguy · Sep 30, 2015

I am color blind (red-green) so many of the tests involve my wife or daughter interpreting colors. I recently bought a Hanna Alk and Hanna Phospate tester. These are battery operated light sensitive that are easy to use and so far seem reliable. They cost a little more but make testing easier so I end up doing it more often. You can find them on Amazon.

aviationreef · Sep 30, 2015

i am color blind as well, so my gf always has to do my tests for me.
I heard the hanna was the best you can get, was just debating on what tests are most important to spend the money on.

I figured ammonia wasnt because my system shouldn't have ammonia in it (although API never test O so a decent test kit would work)
Nitrite is not important always get zero
Nitrate would become important for both coral health and macro algae health. Worth hanna or maybe an upgrade?
Phosphate is the big one i am thinking needs to be exact as the window between macro algae growth and coral hinderance is very small.
Calcium and alkalinity are important but i feel like API gets me close enough? unless someone else disagrees
Does iron need to be exact or general?

Waters · Sep 30, 2015

IMO, unless you are dosing iron, the test kit isn't needed. You will definately want Alk, Ca, and Nitrates (I suggest Salifert tests). I am not really sold on the importance of phosphate tests (unless you are testing to keep them elevated for macro algaes, like you are). If you have algae, you have phosphates. Your test results will often show 0 just because the algae is consuming the phosphates.

aviationreef · Sep 30, 2015

I heard dosing iron might be needed to keep healthy macros,
For nitrate alk and ca you recommend salifert?

chris31759 · Sep 30, 2015

Test for phosphorus instead of phosphate. More precise. I use Red Sea for nitrate and Calc. Hannah checkers for Alk and phosphorus. I had trouble getting accurate Calc readings with the hanna. I'm sure it's just user error. My eyesight isn't what it used to be.

Russ265 · Sep 30, 2015

chris31759 said:
Test for phosphorus instead of phosphate. More precise. I use Red Sea for nitrate and Calc. Hannah checkers for Alk and phosphorus. I had trouble getting accurate Calc readings with the hanna. I'm sure it's just user error. My eyesight isn't what it used to be.

bingo!
hanna isnt reliable for calc. check marine depot or any other review.
api is fine for alk

the only 2 hanna checkers i would get are phosphorus and alk.

if you are colorblind, you will strain yourself with red sea pro. i need a 6500k lamp to read it right and im not colorblind.

api is ok for calcium but it goes out of whack just like any others.

i use hanna alk and phosphorus only if my red sea kits give me 3+ unexpected tests in a row.

i can state elos, api, and salifert phosphate kits are junk ime.

ValG · Sep 30, 2015

I have been using Red Sea test kits for Alk, Calc, Mag and Phosphates. I like them quite a bit but it took some time to get used to them. I usually cross test with other brands every once in a while to make sure I am not off track. Have heard a lot of good things about using Hannah checkers for Alk and a couple of other parameters.

aviationreef · Oct 1, 2015

I use my gf so colorblindness is no issue,
I have never even seen a phosphorus test, why is it more accurate and is there any downsides to testing it?

Russ265 · Oct 1, 2015

Brent LaPietra said:
I use my gf so colorblindness is no issue,
I have never even seen a phosphorus test, why is it more accurate and is there any downsides to testing it?

ultra low range hanna is phosphorus measuring in the ppb.

there are 3 hanna po4 colormeters

aviationreef · Oct 2, 2015

Is there any trade off, i feel like everything in this hobby is a trade off

Paranoiattack91 · Oct 2, 2015

The only Hanna that is worth the money is the alk kit, hands down the best. I hate my Hannah phos kit, all over the place. Salifert calcium is what I use, consistent and reliable

Justiful · Oct 2, 2015

Brent LaPietra said:
Is there any trade off, i feel like everything in this hobby is a trade off

This is my opinion lol.

In order of most accurate.
1. Mailed tests like Triton Labs water test.
2. Professional scientific instrumentation for home use.
3. Hanna checker and similar systems for aquarium use.
4. Red Sea or salifert kits depending on preferences of readings.
5. API kits (close enough for many applications.)
6. Test strips (various brands)

Lowest cost
1. Test strips
2. API
3. red sea or salifert kits
4. Hanna checker or similar
5. mailed test like triton
6. Professional instruments.

Practical uses
1. Red sea, salifert, or API
2. Test strips to satisfy your daily testing OCD on a budget. Or diagnose a major problem fast instead of accurate.
3. Mailed tests for diagnosing problems, or determining your level of accuracy in testing.
4. Hanna checkers or similar if you dislike money, or colors, or multistep tests.
5. Professional instrumentation, if you happen to have a masters in chemistry lots of free time and disposable income.