test kits

[keith gray]

DOes anyone have a brand of test kit they really like. The ones I am using I think are difficult to read. It is hard to judge the color exactly. There must ne something out there that is accurate and really easy to read.
anybody ??

 

[xcali1985]

I just recently purchased a pH meter they don't cost that much and can save you a lot in the future. pH drop test are 10 dollars each here. I test it weekly.
Outside that I use API along with my LFS. No issues here. Although ive been anal about my parameters for the last 3 months.

 

[jrse7en]

I'm confident in the API kit.

 

[btldreef]

API is very reliable IMO

 

[curry]

API user here also. I'm using the saltwater master test kit right now and i'm purchasing the reefmaster kit as well.

 

[globaldesigns]

I have used ELOS exclusively, but just ordered a Seachem Calcium and Mg kits... They are a bit more work to use, but I can say they seem very accurate and for the dollar you get alot more tests than ELOS or the others.

 

[geoj]

What test are you looking for?
I used number of them and find I don’t like all of one brand I mix and match.
I like API for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate, KH, and Calcium
I used Seachem for Iodide and Copper, they are hard to read, but I can do it.
Salifert for Strontium takes a long time to test
Sera for Magnesium takes a long time to test
I don’t like API’s PH test it is too hard to read, easy to misread.

 

[johnr2604]

Originally Posted by GeoJ
http:///forum/post/3165916
What test are you looking for?
I used number of them and find I don’t like all of one brand I mix and match.
I like API for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate, KH, and Calcium
I used Seachem for Iodide and Copper, they are hard to read, but I can do it.
Salifert for Strontium takes a long time to test
Sera for Magnesium takes a long time to test
I don’t like API’s PH test it is too hard to read, easy to misread.
I agree, The API kits are good to get you started but you will probably end up mixing and matching. I have a few different brands after testing against others for accuracy. The Elos a Salifert test are some of the best I have found though.

 

[xcali1985]

Originally Posted by GeoJ
http:///forum/post/3165916
What test are you looking for?
I used number of them and find I don’t like all of one brand I mix and match.
I like API for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate, KH, and Calcium
I used Seachem for Iodide and Copper, they are hard to read, but I can do it.
Salifert for Strontium takes a long time to test
Sera for Magnesium takes a long time to test
I don’t like API’s PH test it is too hard to read, easy to misread.
Exactly why I went out and bought a pH meter. End of my problems. With the other API test the difference between undetectable and detectable is decent and allows you to see what if something is in your system. Since most of the things you would test weekly you want at 0 or as close as possible they can serve they point. If you want accurate to .1 test I would look into probes and meter combos.

 

[keith gray]

I have API nitrate kit. But what I don't like about it is that the card shows 20,30,40 and so on. The color is so different between each number that it is hard to tell where your water sample falls in the chart.
Does that make sense ? I saw on here somewhere a sample of someone's test and the water sample was dropped into a small cup type area and the chart showed gradual color change throughout.
Anyonse else seen one like this ?