Test kits, which do you use and why?

[jcom]

Salifert and Seachem. Hard to rely completely on one or the other. I have two Salifert Alk tests and they test about 0.8 dKh apart. I just take the averages between Seachem and Salifert on Calcium, Alkalinity, and Magnesium.

Calcium - Salifert and Seachem
Alk - Salifert and Seachem
Mag - Salifert and Seachem
Phos - Seachem
Nitrate - Salifert
Ammonia - Salifert
Iodine/Iodate - Salifert
Strontium - Salifert
Ph - Hanna Meter
ORP - Hanna Meter
SPG - Oceanic Hydrometer

 

[cloakerpoked]

I use Salifert.

 

[eggie]

Elos for Mag,Cal,Alk
Hanna for Po4
Lamotte for N03

 

[dreaminofthetropics]

You guys have me worried that I'm not testing enough lol. Anyone have time to tell me if I really do need all these tests and why? I test Nitrate, Ph, Calcium but thats really it... Help???

 

[subielover]

You guys have me worried that I'm not testing enough lol. Anyone have time to tell me if I really do need all these tests and why? I test Nitrate, Ph, Calcium but thats really it... Help???

Testing alkalinity is a must in a reef tank

 

[SPStoner]

Testing alkalinity is a must in a reef tank

I would agree for the most part, but once you know your tank, and have your equipment dialed in, it is no longer a must. I have tested for Alk once in the last year. i have my reactor dialed in, my water changes are done consistently, and I know my corals. However, until you get to that point where you feel comfortable, I would agree this is a must do test.

 

[jcom]

To add: Alkalinity drops very fast, even from hour to hour in some tanks. Definitely a must until you get dialed.

Magnesium is important as well because of its relation to Cal and Alk. I would include PO4 as an important test too.

I personally enjoy doing water tests and keeping a log. Guess it's the Virgo in me!

 

[dreaminofthetropics]

How many additives do you guys add after doing all these tests. I have 3 tanks up and going (Corals in one) all have t5 lighting so I could put soft corals in them but they're new. The only things I've been using is an all in one essential elements and marine snow...

 

[Jeremy R.]

I use Elos for accurate tests and API for random quick tests. The Elos mag test is great and the easiest mag test I have used yet. I use to dread doing mag tests and try to figure out what color the test vial was showing.

 

[don-coraleone]

i also use salifert but lately my alk kit is gives me funny readings..

 

[reefdan]

alk - lamotte
ca - lamotte (accurate but hard to read [purple v. blue???])
mg - salifert
no3 - never test but when i do it's API
po4 - hanna photometer thanks to a buddy.

 

[jcom]

i also use salifert but lately my alk kit is gives me funny readings..

I have two Salifert Alk test kits and they test 0.8 dKH apart.

 

[dreaminofthetropics]

Wow the opinions vary big time LOL! Is it just a use and see which is your favorite kinda thing? I ordered a Red Sea Master Reef kit before I found this thread, so 40 bucks later thats on its way to me. I was looking at the salifert and it appears they're about 20 for each test. Any suggestions on which order I should get them if I don't wanna dump 160 bucks into them all at once~!??!

 

[aquariumclown]

I've always used salifert for Alk and Cal. I know it's not accurate but it's good enough to keep my levels stable. I'm using Tropic Marin's Cal/mag combo test kit and that seems to be very consistent too.

 

[subielover]

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.

Exactly, I test only to see the difference from my last test.

 

[Acronuts]

So far it seems as though many of us use what is convinient and what our wallets can afford.

 

[Howell05]

How do you guys get so precise on the levels. Ive tried Sailfert/ ELOS/ API. When it says the vial will turn pink or yellow or etc. how do you know which color intensity they mean. There are several degrees of colors.

For example on API calcium test it says keep adding drops till the vial turns purple. well just a few drops turn the first 1cm of water purple. when does the rest change. and also for the NO3 or PO4. its says when the vial turns yellow. well what exatly is yellow? I get a quick change to a faint yellow then as i add more it changes more orange but it never really changes from that color. It just gets more intense.

i guess what im asking is do i stop as soon as i see a change from clear to a color or what? is there a good manual with pics to go along. Or am i just dumb.

i asked the wife to help me out and she just laughed at me. lol. then i told her i was going to spend $1000s on digital meters. She said "heck no".

 

[wishntoboutside]

i am really surprised that not many use SERA. very well priced made in germany, easy to use too. i do use my hanna for po4 and iodine. I look at it this way ELOS makes tanks who do they sub out the testing equipement too.
recently marine depot had there whole kit for sale At 49.99. everything except for mag. you can not beat that.

 

[Acronuts]

Well IMO you should shake the test tube in order to mix and get the change of color the instructions require. As far as color matching, this can be a bit difficult. For one light in the room can make colos look different.
I look at my results under florescent daylight bulbs. If a test sample is in between then you make the assumption that you are inbetween those two color chart area pictures.

How do you guys get so precise on the levels. Ive tried Sailfert/ ELOS/ API. When it says the vial will turn pink or yellow or etc. how do you know which color intensity they mean. There are several degrees of colors.

For example on API calcium test it says keep adding drops till the vial turns purple. well just a few drops turn the first 1cm of water purple. when does the rest change. and also for the NO3 or PO4. its says when the vial turns yellow. well what exatly is yellow? I get a quick change to a faint yellow then as i add more it changes more orange but it never really changes from that color. It just gets more intense.

i guess what im asking is do i stop as soon as i see a change from clear to a color or what? is there a good manual with pics to go along. Or am i just dumb.

i asked the wife to help me out and she just laughed at me. lol. then i told her i was going to spend $1000s on digital meters. She said "heck no".