Trying to decide on a water test kit.

[TrevorL]

I’ve been running my tank for a week now and I’m ready to start checking my water but I don’t know which test kit I should get. Any suggestions?

 

[Miller535]

I like Red sea

 

[Gernader]

I use Red Sea as well. I also heard that salifert test kits are great too!

 

[BighohoReef]

I did a poll recently...
Salifert and Hanna are in a close race... Lots of folks mix and match
Red Sea is third but that doesn't make it any less.

It really comes down to preference I use both Salifert and Hanna. Salifert is probably the most popular brand most folks I've talked with are using or have used Salifert at one point or another, they are relatively accurate testing kits. Hanna Instruments make great accurate products as well but you have to buy reagents that are not cheap and the kits themselves are expensive.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/what-test-kit-brand-are-you-using.727276/

 

[dwest]

I think different manufacturers might be best. See the brs video series. One is below. I personally use Hanna for alkalinity , copper, ulr phosphorous. Salifert for mag, calcium, nitrate.

Best Alkalinity Test Kit of 2019 - Which reef tank kit gets our THUMBS UP?

Learn More Hanna Instruments dKH Alkalinity Checker Instant digital readout The device that changed the lives of SPS hobbyists forever! The dKH Checker produces an accurate digital readout

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[El_Guapo13]

I go with sailfert and Hanna.

 

[dawson reynolds]

Salifert

 

[Reef.]

I would stick with salifert and Red Sea, most are cheap enough to try each and see what you prefer, some people can read a pink shade better than a yellow, so it’s down to preference, the only salifert I would recommend not getting is the ammonia, go Red Sea for that.

 

[WIReefer]

I personally use Milwaukee salinity checker, Hanna for Alk and ulr phosphates and apex for ph and temp. Love all of them.

 

[Fishy212]

Just do what everyone else does... first you gotta get
API;Hilarious

Then any kind of combination of
RED SEA / SALIFERT / MILWAUKEE / HANNA

You really have to try different the products to get a familiarity with them

If you really want to transcend
APEX CONTROLLERS

I personally use a combination of Salifert / Hanna

 

[Coastie]

I use Milwaukee for salinity, Hanna for calcium, alkalinity, phosphates, ph and nitrites, Red Sea for nitrates and ammonia, salifert for magnesium and iodine.

 

[Biglew11]

i use a combination of red sea for checking (ammonia nitrates occasionally) calcium, red sea pro for nitrates phosphates, and hanna for alk, phosphates (u.l.r.), and calcium.

 

[muzikalmatt]

• Salinity - Milwaukee digital refractometer
• Alkalinity - Hanna Checker
• Calcium - Red Sea Pro
• Magnesium - Salifert
• Nitrate - ELOS
• Phosphate - Hanna ULR Checker
• pH - Salifert

 

[Everything Aquatics]

salifert is cheaper option and hanna is the best more expensive option