Test Kit, Tablet or Liquid?

[normtp1]

I'm getting ready to buy my first test kit. I just need to know which is better, tablet or liquid. Also, the brands that I'm looking at are Aquarium Pharm and Marine Lab. Does anyone have any experience with either of these brands? Any advice would be appreciated. Also, does SWF sell test kits? I couldn't find any, but that isn't saying that I checked in the right place.

 

[dugan]

I don't think SWF sells dry goods... yet.
I have the Aqua Pharm and it's OK. Not great but OK. You get the 4 basic tests but they're not very exact. It's the only one I could find immediately though. Will probably look on-line for something different once this is used up.
Personally I like the liquid test kits.
Katie

 

[marine qa]

Iv'e read that liquid test kits expire faster than powders, but powders are harder to use and not as accurate.
I don't like any of the test kits, and iv'e tried a few. Many people like Amec. Pharm. though.

 

[broomer5]

I have the Aquarium Systems FasTesT and SeaTesT kits.
I like the FasTesT kit for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate & pH
Easy to read and no problems.
Not as impressed with the SeaTesT kit.
The dual high/low range phos. and nitrate tests work okay, but the calcium test is weak.
I've since been using the Salifert for calcium and phosphate.
Brian

 

[twoods71]

I use the aquarium pharm liquid master test kit and it has done a great job for me.
I use the hagen liquid test kits for phosphate and calcuim and am not as happy with these kits.

 

[normtp1]

How about Tetra? Has anyone used tat brand? That's all my lfs caries. If it isn't very good, then I'll just order it online.

 

[nm reef]

I used american pharm master test kit when I first started.....found the ammonia to be inaccurate.....now use only salifert test kits.....a lil more money but easy to use and so far very accurate when compared to tests done at lfs(about every 6 weeks I check my results against theirs)

 

[marine qa]

Normtp1,
Ive used the Tetra ammonia test. I like their square tubes, but find the colors hard to read.

 

[i3luedragon]

I also used Amer. Pharms. Master Kit. It was ok, but sometimes the readings were not even on the scale. Lately it's been working good though. Would like a better kit anyway. Tried Copper and pH kit from Red Sea. Was the worse two kits to read. I returned them.

 

[guppie]

I have used the fast test and the red sea, like the fast test better. Good Luck