What test kit do you guys use?

[ILikeFish!]

I was wondering whats the best test kits for testing parameters besides hanna checkers, i use api right now but I already know its not giving me accurate enough readings.

 

[ScionFRSguy]

Have to disagree. My numbers were really close to ISP tests sent in. I also use clean vials and their water for the CA.

Okay, so it's hard to argue against the ISP testing! I think maybe that was the problem I was having with the CA tests with Hanna, I did buy their water later on but wasn't using it when I first started testing. Anyways, it's great to hear that you're doing so well with their test kits.

 

[leon.1980]

Hannah all the way. I picked up the multi parameter test kit already actually.

 

[smiley28]

Salifert alk, phos & mag
Red sea cal
Also run Hannah for phos as mentioned mentioned previously for easier readings/#s

 

[Bruce60]

I use Salifert for the tests with a clear color change (Ca, Mg) and Hanna for those where you have to distinguish between shades of a color.

 

[homer1475]

Can't go wrong with salifert. Cheap, easy, and repeatable results.

Used them for many years.

I now use hanna for everything but calcium, Still use salifert for that, as the hanna calcium checker is just prone to error in the small sample it uses.

 

[elm03]

I was wondering whats the best test kits for testing parameters besides hanna checkers, i use api right now but I already know its not giving me accurate enough readings.

I’m using API at the moment also. I was recently told they aren’t always accurate and are probably not the best option. I plan to hopefully get Hanna checkers

 

[FlowGod]

The exact Idip was hammered mercilessly in the forum and quit responding to all threads. misreads were a big issue for them

not responding was easier than directly discussing misreads while trying to maintain sales status/retention of current units I'm guessing.

I heard Chris from ACI aquaculture really loves his. I heard him talk about it in this podcast with Reefbum. He also discussed the misreads.

 

[brandon429]

I think seneye just spoiled everyone by reading nh3, and out to thousandths ppm and by being consistent across reef samples.

If I'm not mistaken that Idip was hundredths ppm max read as nh4/requiring the guess conversion step/ factoring pH and temp to get to nh3 for the end user.

*not that seneye has been decoded yet as the all-consuming accurate nh3 tester that's for sure/it's pH readings are often highly suspect and I'm not sure how they derive nh3 as accurately if they're not using the onboard temp and pH inputs...but what remains is seneye reporting in the .00x thousandths ppm nh3 across scrolls and scrolls of full running reefs, consistently, which matches the known cycling timing and consistency we know to be present in reef tanks piling rocks and swirling warm water quickly across them.

with api/any other ammonia meter in a lot of 1000 samples, only six read zero ammonia lol, 900 read .25, and 94 read .5-3ppm and all the reefs in the sample were cycled just fine and not in ammonia distress whatsoever and would read thousandths ppm on a seneye.

even if seneye's bottom line reading isn't exactly right, it's reporting the natural consistency in ammonia control that piled up rocks of high surface area certainly lend for reef tankers. seneye supports and upholds updated cycling science, api and red sea in the hands of res publica always doubt updated cycling science.

 

[ILikeFish!]

I think seneye just spoiled everyone by reading nh3, and out to thousandths ppm and by being consistent across reef samples.

If I'm not mistaken that Idip was hundredths ppm max read as nh4/requiring the guess conversion step/ factoring pH and temp to get to nh3 for the end user.

*not that seneye has been decoded yet as the all-consuming accurate nh3 tester that's for sure/it's pH readings are often highly suspect and I'm not sure how they derive nh3 as accurately if they're not using the onboard temp and pH inputs...but what remains is seneye reporting in the .00x thousandths ppm nh3 across scrolls and scrolls of full running reefs, consistently, which matches the known cycling timing and consistency we know to be present in reef tanks piling rocks and swirling warm water quickly across them.

with api/any other ammonia meter in a lot of 1000 samples, only six read zero ammonia lol, 900 read .25, and 94 read .5-3ppm and all the reefs in the sample were cycled just fine and not in ammonia distress whatsoever and would read thousandths ppm on a seneye.

even if seneye's bottom line reading isn't exactly right, it's reporting the natural consistency in ammonia control that piled up rocks of high surface area certainly lend for reef tankers. seneye supports and upholds updated cycling science, api and red sea in the hands of res publica always doubt updated cycling science.

What do you use to test phosphate,calcium,magnesium,nitrate etc because seneye doesn't test those parameters?

 

[Screwgunner]

If you do 10% water change every week I wouldn't worry about it. Unless you are going g to keep sps. Then you will have to put in calcium and alkalinity.

 

[DanyL]

If you do 10% water change every week I wouldn't worry about it. Unless you are going g to keep sps. Then you will have to put in calcium and alkalinity.

This I true if you only keep softies.
Bad advice otherwise, because LPS can and will consume more as they grow too, and you wouldn't want to miss a trend as it happens.

 

[gbroadbridge]

If you do 10% water change every week I wouldn't worry about it. Unless you are going g to keep sps. Then you will have to put in calcium and alkalinity.

My 90 gal tank eats 2.2 dkh a day - so a 15dkh drop in one week without dosing - if there was that much Alk to start with

 

[airvicconcre]

I was wondering whats the best test kits for testing parameters besides hanna checkers, i use api right now but I already know its not giving me accurate enough readings.

HR Nitrate Hanna
ULR Phosporus Hanna
Alkalinity Hanna / Salifert
Calcium Salifert
Magnesium Salifert

these are the basics.

 

[ILikeFish!]

This is a list of the tests in order that I currently use, and rely on with good consistent results for me.

•Alk- Hanna/alkatronic/icp/salifert
•Cal- Hanna/icp/salifert
•Mag-icp
•N03-hanna HR/icp/nyos
•P04-hanna ULR/icp
•Salinity-hanna HI98319/Tropic Marin
High Precision Hydrometer/icp
•Trace/minor elements-icp

I have the Hanna mag test but haven't tried it since receiving the new revised reagents, i also have salifert mag that i have used for a long time and really trust, it's just to easy to look at the icp for magnesium. I run icp once a month being on the moonshiners method for trace elements.

The Hannah's with proper testing procedures and equipment management is top of the class and accurate enough for the hobby. There are plenty of good tests out there for as accurate as we need to be, the key is consistency "cleanliness" and observing a trend with frequent testing.

What’s icp and how about ammonia?

 

[ILikeFish!]

If you do 10% water change every week I wouldn't worry about it. Unless you are going g to keep sps. Then you will have to put in calcium and alkalinity.

I do 25% every two weeks do i have to do every week if i want corals?

 

[gbroadbridge]

What’s icp and how about ammonia?

ICP means Inductively Coupled Plasma. It is a test that can tell you the elemental composition of your water. It's an advanced test.

Most folks don't test ammonia after the tank has cycled as it should never appear in a healthy tank.

 

[gbroadbridge]

I do 25% every two weeks do i have to do every week if i want corals?

Weekly is good to start with, and many continue to do it for a while.

You will find some reefers that have cut back water changes to a bare minimum, but that require lots of testing and a very stable tank.

 

[Screwgunner]

As long as you keep everything stable for the two weeks 25% every two weeks is fine. I have a algea turf scrubber I went a whole year with out a water change. But like he said you have to test for the big five. Alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, nitrates,phosphates plus trace elements. If my corals looked like they started looking bad a couple 20% water changes always brings them back. I have a 125 and do 15 gallons a week and my coral look better than ever.

 

[ID-Reefer]

Having trouble with my hanna P04 ULR test kit. Anyone know how to calibrate these? It is consistently giving me a reading of around .12 and ICP just came back with .05. Hanna N03 is a little off as well but not as bad (20 vs 26).

 

[stoney7713]

Having trouble with my hanna P04 ULR test kit. Anyone know how to calibrate these? It is consistently giving me a reading of around .12 and ICP just came back with .05. Hanna N03 is a little off as well but not as bad (20 vs 26).

You can't calibrate them. They do sell a reference solution, but it's just that, check to see if the readings are accurate with the solution.

I did buy them because I thought mine was reading off, but they were right on with the reference solution.