what brand of test kits to use

[moneylaw]

Could you guys share what brand of test kits you guys use and what is your experience with it. So far I have found several brands in my LFS such as red sea, instant ocean, Aquarium Pharmaceuticals etc. These are 4 in 1, 5 in 1 master test kits. There are others individual one like Salifert which I heard is the best, but I would prefer to buy all in one if the results are not that much different. As always, your inputs are appreciated.
Ken

 

[reefforbrains]

For a cost effective way to go, grab a AP Reef Master and thier normal Saltmaster.
Sets will be around 25.00 each and will cover all the bases.
The two kits will give you-
Nitrate x2
Nitrite
Amonia
Phosphate
Cal
Alk
PH x2
Thats the cheapest way to hav the full gambit. And it will give you spares for the overlap with PH and Nitrate.
Could always add Mag, and copper to the list of tests but they are optional unless your REALLY into your water.

 

[moneylaw]

Thanks. But what I would also like to know is which brand is more accurate and clear to read. Could you share me about what brand you use and how you like it? Thanks.

 

[miaheatlvr]

Originally Posted by moneylaw
Thanks. But what I would also like to know is which brand is more accurate and clear to read. Could you share me about what brand you use and how you like it? Thanks.
I use reefmaster but I read the SALIFERT is the best but their really expensive, DO what I do, if you live near a LOCAL FISH STORE, take it there and mine is so efficient they check for everything inluding calcium, magnesium, phosphate, in a controlled enviroment and NO MESS, they charge me $2

 

[stanlalee]

I use API. I trust their accuracy because I usually have a good idea of what my tank should be reading and usually it is. If something was not what its suppose to be then I might try another test to make sure its not the test. I have used tetra, seachem and aquarium systems test in the past but I took a liking to API.

 

[bigblue69]

Salifert is probably the most accurate test kit but as pointed out they are more expensive and need to buy all of them seperate but for an all in one test kit I would go with API

 

[theappe3]

Originally Posted by Stanlalee
I use API. I trust their accuracy because I usually have a good idea of what my tank should be reading and usually it is. If something was not what its suppose to be then I might try another test to make sure its not the test. I have used tetra, seachem and aquarium systems test in the past but I took a liking to API.

Same one I use and I havent had a problem yet. The full salty kit is around $30 I believe.

 

[moneylaw]

Thank you all. API it is.

 

[renogaw]

i'd be a little cautious about saliferts, which is bad cause i just got a whole setup recently. On another website, they are saying the test kits have become unreliable, and the company unreachable...

 

[earlybird]

I really liked my seachem kits. Currently I'm using Tetra Test for pH and ammonia. These kits are terrible. I feel like I need a lab coat when I break out my salifert kits.

 

[renogaw]

same here on the saliferts, but i figured i could handle the pain because of how accurate they are. now, i've just read about 5 pages over 3 posts saying most of the recent salifert test kits are all inaccurate

 

[earlybird]

Originally Posted by renogaw
same here on the saliferts, but i figured i could handle the pain because of how accurate they are. now, i've just read about 5 pages over 3 posts saying most of the recent salifert test kits are all inaccurate
I hope they are accurate b/c I'm showig zero trates and zero phosphates. I'll bring my water in to test today.
The place I ordered my salifert kits from took 6 weeks for him to get the nitrate kit in. Guy kept saying that the company is like tunze, European and hard to reach.

 

[sjimmyh]

I use AP test kits. Inexpensive and the only test I really believe I need to know extremely accurately is pH. So I bought a pinpoint pH meter.
I drip kalkwasser so I do keep tabs on Magnesium and Strontium. Kalkwasser can deplete these over time. You may be able to keep up with the depletion with just water changes, but since I just started dripping and really didn't know how fast they would go away. So I have a seachem test kit for Mg, and a Salifert test kit for strontium.
Happy with all of them. If I could get an AP magnesium and strontium, I would buy them too.
In the aquarium, IMO, around 420 Calcium from AP is as good as knowing its exactly 420. Same goes with most of the specs we test for.
That assumes the hype you hear about test kits is true too... I am only aggreeing that AP is less accurate because others testify higher priced kits are MORE accurate. I am not agreeing AP is less accurate because of any data or experience on my part.

 

[renogaw]

Originally Posted by earlybird
I hope they are accurate b/c I'm showig zero trates and zero phosphates. I'll bring my water in to test today.
The place I ordered my salifert kits from took 6 weeks for him to get the nitrate kit in. Guy kept saying that the company is like tunze, European and hard to reach.

yea, they are in europe. the owner/ceo/main chemist has been unreachable and unresponsive for months now