Test Kits

[trish&dave]

I would be very interested in what type of test kits everyone uses, positives and negatives, what they test for, approximate cost, how sensitive are each, and where they purchase. Thanks!!!!
We currently test for: Alk, PH, PO4, NO2 & 3, Ammonia, and Calcium. We are looking to purchase Stronium and Magnesium and were considering the Seachem test kits. Our other kits are Red Sea (the marine and reef kits)..

 

[trish&dave]

Just in case anyone would ask, we do have some coral: Toadstool, Kenyi tree, mushrooms, few zoos, and a fragspawn (sp). Tank is 56 gallon tall with over 60 lbs of LR. The reason I am asking is I recently read the thread on Purple Up. We have been adding it for just over a month and we are getting some nice coraline on our base rock (and everywhere else for that matter!). We were adding one cap in am and one in the evening until we reached 450 ppm. I read where you have to have a balance with calcium, alk, and magnesium. Our alk has dropped (I will have to get the reading at home) so we are adding a buffer once a week.
Just trying to get recommendations on the best test kits, if anything just for stronium and magnesium. Thanks!

 

[m0nk]

I've got mostly the Red Sea ones but have a phosphate and nitrate kit from API. Not sure if I'll get refills for the Red Sea next time around though I don't have any major complaints about them.

 

[trish&dave]

Originally Posted by m0nk
http:///forum/post/2471813
I've got mostly the Red Sea ones but have a phosphate and nitrate kit from API. Not sure if I'll get refills for the Red Sea next time around though I don't have any major complaints about them.
Thanks, the only problem I really have with Red Sea is the PH is very difficult to read, the rest are pretty easy. Ammonia is a little tough on the green, but all in all, not a bad test kit. What were you thinking of switching to?