Ive got all kinds of test kits on my shelves at home. All kits work - but you need to understand 1.) Your level of competence and 2.) the accuracy of the test kit in regards to what you are testing.
API test kits are great for a broad range of levels and easy of use. But you arent going to get the exact number with detailed granularity around it. I wouldnt use this for a test where you wanted to determine your exact level of phosphate for example. They are great for pass/fail tests though. Do you have ammonia present - Yes or No. API delivers.
Salifert is the basic no frills titration test kits. They are inexpensive, relatively reliable and accurate. If you can read the graduations on a syringe, you can run these tests with some success. Note that because they are inexpensive, things like syringes and testing vials are not as robust as in other kits, and will likely wear out, wear off and break if not handled with care.
Red Sea has both regular and pro kits - the real difference being the extras that help make deciphering the results easier in the Pro kit (or things like a titrator which helps the user be more accurate). For the tests, they are accurate, and most tests use liquid reagents, rather than powders that Salifert and other brands use which can cause inaccuracies while measuring.
Nysos kits are on par with Red Sea and salifert - I like their Nitrate kit, but thats just personal preference. They are as accurate as Red Sea or Salifert.
Ive never used Elos kits before, but know several people that have with good results. Aesthetically, they are pretty, but rarely does one brag about how their test kit looks.
Hanna testers are great for the most part. I use their equipment at work, and at home. There are a few things that need to be realized when using these tester though. 1) You have to maintain clean cuvettes - if you leave them filled with fluid you'll get etching and growth inside and new cuvettes are about $30 for a 4 pack, 4 caps are another $20. 2.) You have to know what a meniscus is and what that means in regards to your water level in the cuvette (otherwise you will get results that are 'off'). 3.) Reagents need to be stored in a certain way, and instructions should be followed closely in order to get repeatable, accurate results - if you 'fudge' your measurements or get drips of reagent outside of the cuvette, dont expect accurate results.
- That said - Get the Alk tester - its easy, fast and reliable. Its one reagent, the entire test takes 25-30 seconds and its readily repeatable. If you are monitoring ALK daily, this thing pays for itself in sheer time spent in a month. Reagent refills are ~$4.
- Get the Calcium tester if 1.) you are meticulous in your ability to follow directions, 2.) have a steady hand and 3.)dont "fudge" any of the measurements. I find the calcium checker perfectly accurate, but many people find it difficult because of the multiple reagents and small sample size (0.1mL) of water added to the vial. Then again, Im a chemist, so I do this stuff at work all the time
The easiest calcium test out there is the Salifert test. I get accurate results when compared between Red sea, Salifert and Hanna.
I heard the Hanna electronic instruments fail after about 5o tests. For Alk and Ca I use salifert. I also have the API kits. I also have a Milwaukee instruments colormeter for Phosphates. I really just monitor pH, alk, and Ca once established and dose accordingly. Once eery few weeks I test for Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrates, just to make sure everything I suspect can be confirmed.
I dont know who told you that. Ive been using my Hanna checkers (Alk, Calcium, Phosphate) for over four years without any issues due to the instrument itself. There have been reagent issues in the past due to packaging, but the physical tester... no issues. Mine have even gone swimming in the sump before and after drying them off for an hour or three - they work great.
