API CA and Alk test kits

[mamedina]

Wondering if the API alkalinity and calcium test kits are decent enough to get a baseline of parameters. Don’t feel like spending fifty bucks for some test kits...

Anyone have experience with these?

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

Wondering if the API alkalinity and calcium test kits are decent enough to get a baseline of parameters. Don’t feel like spending fifty bucks for some test kits...

Anyone have experience with these?

I used them for a while for "ballpark" figures but they are definitely not as accurate as other test kits. The salifert kits for Alk and Calcium are both ~$15-$20 each and I think it would be a good investment for tracking these two parameters. Red Sea is also pretty good and if you ever get a good deal on the hanna checker for alkalinity, go for it. I love mine and it makes it really easy to quickly check alk.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Wondering if the API alkalinity and calcium test kits are decent enough to get a baseline of parameters. Don’t feel like spending fifty bucks for some test kits...

Anyone have experience with these?

If you're only testing calcium and alk look at the salifert test kit's. 17 bucks for alk and 18 bucks for calcium, they're good for 100 to 200 tests for alk and 50 to 100 for calcium. Definitely worth it. I've never liked or trusted the api kits personally.