Which Test Kits for Calcium and Alk

J Fox · Mar 29, 2016

Just hoping to get a feel from the members here concerning test kits for Alk and Calcium. Wanted to start testing them and don't know which I should choose. Currently use Red Sea for Nitrates and have tough time with the colors - Hanna Checker for Phosphates and that obviously is easy other than the reagent packets .
Red Sea, Hanna, or Salifert for Calcium and Alk and why do you think so ? Thank you in advance for your comments !

TheEngineer · Mar 29, 2016

I use Red Sea pro. They're pretty good.

Wilsoni · Mar 29, 2016

The Salifert kits are awesome and easy to use. I vote Salifert or Red Sea. Pick your poison

Diesel · Mar 29, 2016

I would go for the Hanna ALK kit, pretty accurate.
For CAL I have the RS Pro and be happy with the results.

Reeferfourlife · Mar 29, 2016

Salifert for cal. Hanna for alk

TheEngineer · Mar 29, 2016

There still seem to be some concerns about the Hanna Alk reagents.

reefwiser · Mar 29, 2016

I use Salifert, Hana checkers and Hana photometer http://hannainst.com/hi96713-phosphate-low-range-portable-photometer.html
LaMotte Master kit http://www.lamotte.com/en/aquarium-fish-farming/salt-water-combination-kits,
Triton ICP testing.
I always cross check results I get with test kits.

JimWelsh · Mar 29, 2016

Salifert for both. And Salifert, too, for nitrate (I agree with you about Red Sea nitrate colors being difficult to read).

Diesel · Mar 29, 2016

icecool2 said:
There still seem to be some concerns about the Hanna Alk reagents.

It's all taken care of.
Hanna replaced most of the bottles that were effected in this "nation wide recall"

TheEngineer · Mar 29, 2016

There's this new thread today from people who are saying the replacement reagent is having issues too:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/new-hanna-alk-reagents-are-just-as-bad-as-the-recalled-ones.241907

Duberz · Mar 29, 2016

I just posted about a problem I'm having with my Hanna alk checker.

Jimbo · Mar 29, 2016

Salifert. I've tried other kits over the years but keep coming back to Salifert for Alk,Calcium,Magnesium and Nitrate. I use a Hanna ULR checker for Phosphate.

Bob O · Mar 29, 2016

I have the Hannah checkers for Ca, Alk, and Phosphate low range. The calcium checker reads 100 to 200 higher than actual - now just another piece of rubble in the "used to use" pile. I'm currently using the Hannah phosphate and alkalinity checkers. I have a NYOS magnesium kit, Red Sea Ca kit, API nitrate, Hannah ph/temp handheld monitor, Seachem ph & alkalinity kits as back up. Evidently I'm an equal opportunity buyer lol.

Bob O · Mar 29, 2016

Duberz said:
I just posted about a problem I'm having with my Hanna alk checker.

Duberz, tell me about problem your having with Alk checker. I'm nervous about all of the Hannah checkers after my experience with the Ca checker.

PatW · Mar 29, 2016

API is ok for both. The ALK is only in whole numbers but easy to do. The CA is better at 20 ppm increments.

fishman77 · Mar 30, 2016

Salifert is easy and accurate for me.

cincyreef · Mar 30, 2016

Hanna for ALK, and Salifert for CA.

match69 · Mar 30, 2016

Hi to all,
Another thought is the cost of the replacement reagents. I use Hanna Alkalinity and ULR Phosphorus meters and Salifert as confirmation every so often and use a Hanna Master test kit for other tests.. A quick look online for Hanna showed prices of $6.99 for 25 reagents for the Alkalinity tester and $21.99 for 25 reagents for the Calcium tester. You still have it better than here in the UK as we pay $12.50 for Alkalinity and around $35 for Calcium.