Test Kits

fernalfer · Feb 9, 2016

I'm ready to purchase all of the test kits for PH,Nitrates, Alk, etc.......

Can anyone recommend a brand or type of kit that is good to use. Is their a all in one kit? Do you buy each kit individually for each test. Any recommendations on best place to purchase. Thanks.

143MPCo · Feb 9, 2016

What I like:

Salinity/Specific Gravity, Refractometer
Alkalinity, Hanna Checker
Ammonia, Salifert
Calcium, SeaChem or NYOS
Magnesium, SeaChem
Nitrite, Salifert
Nitrate, Salifert or NYOS
pH, Salifert
Phosphate, Hanna Checker

I like ordering them from BRS, Marine Depot, or Salty Supply (all online).

jetmaker · Feb 9, 2016

I have a red sea master kit it's pretty good

dewboy1127 · Feb 9, 2016

Refractometer -salinity
Hanna handheld-phosphate
Salifert -everything else

dbl · Feb 9, 2016

Keep in mind this is only my opinion, but I feel the most important thing about testing is finding a kit that is easy to use for the individual. The goal should be consistent water parameters test over test, regardless of which test kit is used. These are all hobby grade test kits after all. So pick one that's easiest to use and shoot for stability. Having said that, here is what I use:

Salinity/Specific Gravity, Refractometer
Alkalinity, Hanna Checker
Ammonia, API
Calcium, Salifert
Magnesium, Salifert
Nitrite, API
Nitrate, Salifert
pH, Monitor
Phosphate, Hanna Checker

PatW · Feb 9, 2016

I have used the following:

Salinity - refractometer. It is quick, easy, accurate and needs a very small sample.

Ammonia. API is a bit crude. The Red Sea works better at the low end. You really want a 0 reading here so more sensitivity is better.

Calcium - the API is quick and gives consistent results. I think the Red Sea is a bit better but I generally use the API for the simplicity.

Alkalinity - the API is nice and fast. The Red Sea is more sensitive.

Magnesium - I have been using the Red Sea and it is pretty good.

Nitrate - the API is fine at the high end but it is pretty much for 5 ppm and above. The Red Sea pro is good down to .25 ppm. Ditto for Nitrite.

Phosphate - most tests only hit an accurate range when the levels are too high. The Hanna is the only test that I know of that is sensitive down to a useful range.