Salifert and Aquarium pharmaceuticals test kit inconsistency

[matt2364]

Hello - I just recieved my second set of test kits. My first kits were from salifert and the second set I ordered were from Aquarium Pharmaceuticals. I just did a dKH test with both test kits and I ended up with 8.2 with salifert and 10-11 with aquarium pharmaceuticals. I know that salifert tests are preferred to AP (Aquarium phamaceuticals). Does anyone know how accurate these AP test are. I did each test twice to make sure I did it correctly and got the same numbers each time. Thanks, maybe some sort of conversion table could be made, lol.
Opinions would be appreciated, I don't want to have to discard these AP tests.

 

[matt2364]

Also, the test tubes provided by AP are not 5 ml, like specified in the instructions. I used a syringe to put the water in and it was about 1/3 of an inch past the line. This is sad, they don't even have the measurments right.

 

[prime311]

I hold on to the API tests that I think work to doublecheck what my real test kit tells me if I have any reason to doubt the numbers. The rest I toss.

 

[mr_x]

my opinion on API test kits is that they offer alot for a little money, however, i found the calcium kit to be way off. i didn't see alot of difference with the ALK though. i use the api for everything but Ca. so far everything is alive

 

[robertmathern]

Also try each test in the same test tube and see what you get. Reason being if the api tube holds less water thats why it is giving a higher reading

 

[errattiq]

+1 for the API Ca test.... That dang thing keeps telling me my calcium is 1200ppm..... and ummmm its not LOL to say the least. I don't even dose, have a 55gal and do 5 gal water changes weekly with Oceanic salt... I highly doubt a brand like oceanic has screwed up there element additions that bad, plus I have zero precipitation in the tank and my alkalinity is ideal at the moment. I use salifert now...

 

[stanlalee]

I use API for everything. my calcium and alk always read about what I expect them too. the reason I use API is because I've heard just as much (more actually) inconsistancies and inaccuracies with salifert as I have with API. If I cant count on neither to be accurate might as well use the cheap one. Elos is allegedly the new standard in testing. I may try theirs out for kicks.