What test kits do you use?

[ahiggins]

Historically I’ve been a Red Sea gal my whole reefing career but what new technology is out there?
Found this: https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/professional-reef-test-kit-hireef-hanna-instruments.html
I use Hanna instruments at work and LOVE the brand but not sure how accurate in reef tanks.
So!
What do you lovely people use here-taking all suggestions for all parameters (but mostly looking for nitrate, phosphate/phosphorus, alk, ph, calcium). Currently using salifert nitrate and the rest is (about gone) Red Sea.

 

[Hitman]

Hanna for ALK, PO4, Copper
Salifert for everything else.

 

[Whiterabbitrage]

I use Salifert for my main testing but have Red Sea as a back up in case I get questionable results and want to double check.

 

[Tyler Bullock]

Hanna

Salinity
DKH
P04
Copper

Salifert
N03

Red Sea - I dont test this much at all
Calcium
Mag

This is all I test with so far. Yes it was pricey getting all the Hanna's. I hope its well worth it. Down the line I will look to get an apex and trident.

 

[Opus]

API for ALK and calcium with Hanna to check the results every so often. Salifert for Mag and Milwaukee for phosphate and salinity. Just got the new Hanna to try for salinity testing.

 

[illcssd]

Hanna for ALK, PO4, Copper
Salifert for everything else.

This. Most accurate combo I've found.

 

[ahiggins]

Just to clarify: all of you saying the Hanna, they don’t have colorimeters right-you’re talking about the digital testers?

 

[ScottR]

I use Colombo. Am I the only one? Also use salifert and Hanna.

 

[ahiggins]

Also, which would be better for phos- ppm or ppb?

 

[rkpetersen]

Plenty of replies but I'll add my $0.02, based on comparison of a variety of brands with each other and ICPOES.

Hanna Calcium Checker
Hanna Alkalinity (dKH) Checker
Salifert Magnesium
Salifert Potassium
Hanna ULR Phosphorus Checker
Red Sea Nitrate

For QT:
Hanna HR Copper Checker

For new tanks:
Red Sea Ammonia
Hanna ULR Nitrite Checker

 

[jurgenph]

Milwaukee digital refractometer
No brand optical refractometer

Hanna phosphorus ulr
Hanna Alk
Hanna chlorine - to test for carbon block replacement

Salifert nitrates

Triton icp - everything else.

J.

 

[taricha]

In order of frequency I test them (with kits I was dissatisfied with in parentheses)

More than once a week
Salinity swing arm
NO3 red Sea
PO4 Hanna

More than once a month
Alk DIY or red sea
pH/temp Hanna
Ca red Sea
Si Hanna (Salifert doesn't work)
Mg Salifert (red Sea reads too high)

Almost never
K Salifert
I seachem (Salifert couldn't read it)
Fe Hanna

 

[jeffww]

Api for everything. Hach for nitrates if something seems off