Test Kit Recommendations

[CJ Monty]

When I started my tank a year ago I got the Red Sea Marine and Foundation. I don't mind the Marine my readings are always good (although if they have inaccurate low results I would like to know that). But despise the foundation. I always get high readings. Ca above 500 and Mg close to 1600. I guess Ca of 500 is possible because I Kalk drip but do not dose any mg yet. I have read some good things about the Salifert Mg Test Kit.

What do you guys recommend using for the following (I put my guesses below)? I am putting red sea for ones that I don't think really matter. Rather not spend money if I do not need too.

NH4 - Red Sea
NO3 - Red Sea
NO2 - Red Sea
Alk - Red Sea
Ca - Salifert
Mg - Salifert
PO4 - Hannah HI736

 

[GoVols]

Buy the Hanna Alk (dkh) checker.

:)

 

[mitch91175]

When I started my tank a year ago I got the Red Sea Marine and Foundation. I don't mind the Marine my readings are always good (although if they have inaccurate low results I would like to know that). But despise the foundation. I always get high readings. Ca above 500 and Mg close to 1600. I guess Ca of 500 is possible because I Kalk drip but do not dose any mg yet. I have read some good things about the Salifert Mg Test Kit.

What do you guys recommend using for the following (I put my guesses below)? I am putting red sea for ones that I don't think really matter. Rather not spend money if I do not need too.

NH4 - Red Sea
NO3 - Red Sea
NO2 - Red Sea
Alk - Red Sea
Ca - Salifert
Mg - Salifert
PO4 - Hannah HI736

Looks like you got it with the exception of the dKH. Just do like @GoVols recommended and get the Hanna checker for dKH and you're set.

 

[CJ Monty]

Looks like you got it with the exception of the dKH. Just do like @GoVols recommended and get the Hanna checker for dKH and you're set.

Why do you guys like Hannah dKH over Red Sea or any other Alk tester. Red sea is pretty simple to use. Unless it is not accurate?

 

[mitch91175]

Why do you guys like Hannah dKH over Red Sea or any other Alk tester. Red sea is pretty simple to use. Unless it is not accurate?

The Hanna is super easy to use plus it is digital too.

 

[SPR1968]

+1 to the Hanna, it’s easy to do the test and easy to read, simple.

Ive always used Red Sea for most things but I’m now looking at NYOS (other than for alkalinity and phosphate Hanna) and already have the nitrate which is very good and will try the others when the Red Sea are used up.

 

[Orm Embar]

Repost:

Salifert for alkalinity/Ca/Mg. Accurate and easy to see endpoints (which matters a lot to me!). https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/b...s-salifert-api-hanna-triton-awt.234660/page-3

I bring my water to the LFS for nitrate/phosphate since my tank usually runs very well with a refugium/chaeto.

API is fine for ammonia; I didn't find their alk to be accurate.

Hanna high range for copper (once you buy the initial measuring device, the refills are pretty close to other test kits). I can't read other kits, and Hanna is very easy to determine once you get the #$%@$#%@ powder into the vial! I so wish that they used liquid reagents by the drop, or even a 1 ml syringe like Salifert. Powder is evil. But Hanna is STILL light years beyond API or Seachem copper kits.