Test Kit

[fish1031]

Right now I have the API master test kit and some extras for other things.
The master just has the basic stuff.
ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, and ph
What is the best kit that comes in a set like all those together?

 

[saltn00b]

the best kits are salifert. if you are looking for them in master kit, im not sure salifert sells them combined.
i know the Red Sea master marine set has all of that stuff, but they are notorious for giving slightly off readings.

 

[elton092982]

I use API mot sure if there accurate either ?? When I use the dip sticks they give me a diff reading than the API I don't know anymore which test is tellimg me the truth

 

[fish1031]

i think that api is better then dips but I know it is not the best. I really am on a tight budget now with my fish. I spent over 4,000 on my new tank. So I need a master not $10 for each thing.

 

[vpotts28]

The API test kits I have used, have stayed consistent with every other test I've conducted. The problem with them is they don't give you the best choices, to give an exact reading.

 

[elton092982]

I hear you on that seems like its been .25 for my ammonia reading since I got the tank and thats 3 weeks ago

 

[aztec reef]

if salifer made master kits i would say get it. instead i say go with the individual salifer. they're so relible and easy & accurate.

 

[elton092982]

are the colors how to distiguish ? meaning does a reading of 0 look like the same color for .25 Thats the prob I'm having the greens and yellows seem so close in color you can barley tell them apart. The second thing is do you actually put the test tube agianst the paper or near it because if you put it against the color is alot darker

 

[vpotts28]

Originally Posted by elton092982
are the colors how to distiguish ? meaning does a reading of 0 look like the same color for .25 Thats the prob I'm having the greens and yellows seem so close in color you can barley tell them apart. The second thing is do you actually put the test tube agianst the paper or near it because if you put it against the color is alot darker

I can easily distinguish between a 0 and a .25 on the api chart. Excuse my lack of better words but the 0 is a "pee" yellow and the .25 is more like a "puke" green. I know that is probably not the comparison one would like to hear.

 

[elton092982]

thats what mine looks like

do you actually put the tube touching against the sheet or no because if you do doesnt it give off a darker color

 

[vpotts28]

Somehow I got a different card than you do.

That is bizarre. Now I am second guessing myself. :scared: The chart I have easily distinguishes between 0 and .25. Every other test I have done has my ammonia at zero as well.
The best thing you can do is put these tubes on a white background. Such as the border right next to the color chart.
I am currently looking into either salifert individual kits, or a seachem master kit (marine basic). I have never seen the chart for salifert, but the seachem system looks pretty good.
Anyone have a picture of how salifert tests work?

 

[elton092982]

I hear you man seems soooo hard to distinguish the colors . For ex. how can you detest between a 1.0 and a 2.0 on this chart ???? the greens are sooooooooo similar

 

[saltn00b]

hah , and then try it under a yellow light, or in sunlight, you keep getting different results. thats why salifert is best, it doesnt use that system.

 

[vpotts28]

Originally Posted by elton092982
I hear you man seems soooo hard to distinguish the colors . For ex. how can you detest between a 1.0 and a 2.0 on this chart ???? the greens are sooooooooo similar
The best thing I can tell you is to get as close as you can to feel comforable with, maybe test with another kit, and take a sample to a lfs and compare your results to theirs. Salifert seems the way to go with all of these hobbyists but it is SO EXPENSIVE. I just wish they made a master kit. But I guess if you are going to invest in these fish etc., cost has to be out the window.

 

[vpotts28]

Originally Posted by saltn00b
hah , and then try it under a yellow light, or in sunlight, you keep getting different results. thats why salifert is best, it doesnt use that system.
Saltn00b, how does the salifert system work? I am seriously thinking of going and buying a few kits now. I have the benefit of a girlfriend being a scientist, she takes my samples to her lab. Sometimes thats an inconvenience though.

 

[saltn00b]

sorry i guess i typed that wrong, it does use a color system, but it is more accurate.

 

[elton092982]

yea I put it up against the sun light heck I even go outside sometime just to be sure but I get the same ass result My ammonia reading will be .25 forverrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
and im also curious how does the saliefrt kit work I thought it was liquid based also . Have any pics of the kit charts etc.

 

[vpotts28]

Originally Posted by saltn00b
sorry i guess i typed that wrong, it does use a color system, but it is more accurate.

Would the seachem test kits rival the salifert?

 

[fish1031]

Is seachem much better than API?

 

[vpotts28]

Originally Posted by fish1031
Is seachem much better than API?

I know they have a better color chart, it is gradual. I would like to see it physically instead of using the pictures on the web. I have not been able to see how salifert works, if anyone has a pic, I would love to see it.