Test kits, which do you use and why?

[Acronuts]

I know the importance of testing our water. Yet I am only a product of what is available at my local fish stores.
I currently use the following TEST KITS:

AlkALINITY - Seanalysis by Natureef
Iodine - by Seachem Labs
Phosphate - by API
Ammonia,Nitrite,Nitrates,Ph, and Calcium - by API

The more I get into the hobby, the more exotic corals I buy. I want to maintain the best in water quality and protect them. Are these good reliable test kits?
I don't mind paying for quality as long as I am going to be relying on accurate results.
Can you all advise on what you use, how much, and where I may order it via the web?

Thank you

 

[wishntoboutside]

po4, i use my hanna meter
all others i have been using SERA test kits. very friendly to use and and to me they have been very accurate. and when kh retails for 8.99 you cant beat that in my opinion

 

[Acronuts]

I have never heard of that company, but I have been out of the hobby a few yrs. Where do I get more info about the compny?

 

[wishntoboutside]

sara b should chime in with this she introduced me at got me this complete kit in a lil box that retails for like 90.00 all but the mag test. i will dig for info by tomorrow for ya if needed though.

for the money the api basic stuff is really good too.

 

[Acronuts]

thnxs wisntoboutside!

 

[GMaquarium]

I found myself keeping 2 to 4 different brand kits for each water parameter. Did some comparisons and frankly non of the kits a dead on accurate. For the most part I gave up trying to get specific numbers and use test kits to see how fast and how much things change. For example if the tank looks good and all corals are happy and between Seachem, Sera, API, salifet and hagen kits my dkh is testing 7-12 depending on the brand I dont worry about it. I just pic the mid level kit and test to see how it changes a few time a week. Stopped testing magnessium because the numbers were always the same and it the test is a pain to do all the time, besides its kindof hard to overdose mag. After having a po4 problem in one of the tanks a while back began using a hanna photometer and I think its the only test I have that I truly trust, the ph monitors too but those get of calibration easy.

 

[gparr]

I use Elos kits, but am having a frustrating time getting my calcium up. According to the Elos kit, my Mg is 1350, alk is 8, and Ca 350. This morning, in my 65, I got those measurements. I then added 200 ml of alk and Ca from Bulk Reef Supply kits, did the water tests again, and got the exact same readings. I'm going to have to see what another brand of kits reads. Since I started using Elos kits and switched from B-Ionic two-part to BRS two part, my dosage quantities have more than tripled and the parameters aren't what they should be. Something's out of whack.
Gary

 

[SDguy]

Alk -Salifert (calibrated against a standard I made at my lab)
Ca - Salifert
Mg - Salifert
pH - ACJr probe (double checked against Salifert)
PO4 - Once in a blue moon I have a friend test it with his Hanna colorimeter - the Salifert kit is woretheless)
NO3 - Once in a while I test using Salifert.

 

[revaltion131]

Gary, I wonder if the Elos Ca kit is bad. I'm having the same issues. I dose way over the recommended amount (Ca part) for my 2-part solution and still end up having my calcium go down. I know my stuff isn't the strongest, but I shouldn't have to pour half the bottle in to keep it at 350 ppm.

 

[gparr]

Revaltion,
Exactly my concern. I'll be finding out this weekend when I borrow SaraB's Salifert and Sera kits, set up a chemistry lab in the laundry room, and do some comparisons. I'll post the results.
Gary

 

[bkv1997]

I've really like the Tropic Marine Alk, CA, and Mg

Decent price, easy and accurate.

I've tried other brands and they were either not accurate or were more complicated and i found myself not testing regularly.



Brandon

 

[jlt23]

My Elos Ca is also measuring low. I think I'm going back to Salifert.

 

[bkv1997]

I hear people talk about how great salifert is, but when i tried them their alk kit was off worse than any test kit i've ever used.

 

[GMaquarium]

I hear people talk about how great salifert is, but when i tried them their alk kit was off worse than any test kit i've ever used.

salifert had a bad batch of alk tests a while back. They began adding a lot # sticker on the box and a little bottle of test solution with the kit, also think they changed the syringes. But I find they test on a high side.

 

[cpage3]

I use salifert for their ease of use and precise mode of measurement. Many other test kits have too large of gradations in between readings

 

[Znut Reefer]

Another salifert user here. I test PO4 with a hanna meter.

 

[JR's Reef]

Salifert and API

 

[chefzif]

I find Salifert to be the most accurate

 

[Acronuts]

When I take my water sample to WWC that is what they use. They are a bit more expensive though.

I find Salifert to be the most accurate

 

[Acropora Crazy]

Elos...Elos...Elos

I do not understand why people buy hanna meters.. seems like a huge waste of money to me.
If you have phosphates show up on an elos test then you have to many.