test kits

[FrostyWriter021]

I have a fluval evo and I want to get a better test kit then the api and I thought about getting a salifert alkalinity and calcium, I have mag and ph right now. what all should I get and if I did get hanna's which would be the best ones to get?

 

[kevgib67]

I use Salifert for all of mine. Easy, affordable and match up with my ICP test. I know others love Hanna’s but in my case, if it’s not broke don’t fix it.

 

[MoshJosh]

I had all Nyos kits but recently changed to Red Sea for Alk, Cal, and Mag. . . Both are good options but I think I like the Red Sea a bit better.

 

[FrostyWriter021]

I had all Nyos kits but recently changed to Red Sea for Alk, Cal, and Mag. . . Both are good options but I think I like the Red Sea a bit better.

does it come down to just being easier to use?

 

[MoshJosh]

Yeah pretty much. The Red Sea has some nice features, like the instructions and conversion charts are on the same laminated sheets and the kit comes with a syringe holder thing that holds the syringes on the sample bottles.

 

[FrostyWriter021]

I use Salifert for all of mine. Easy, affordable and match up with my ICP test. I know others love Hanna’s but in my case, if it’s not broke don’t fix it.

so what are all of the salifert tests you have?

 

[kevgib67]

so what are all of the salifert tests you have?

I have, nitrate, phosphate, ph, alk, magnesium and calcium.

 

[FrostyWriter021]

I have, nitrate, phosphate, ph, alk, magnesium and calcium.

do you have the smart stir?

 

[Js.Aqua.Project]

If you have the funds I definitely recommend the Hanna checkers for Ca, dKH, and PO4.

Besides that I would recommend Red Sea. I have used RS, Salifert, and Nyos kits and found RS to be the most consistent - at least for me.

 

[kevgib67]

do you have the smart stir?

If this answers your question, I don’t know what that is.

 

[ElementReefer]

The setup I use and really like:

Hanna for alkalinity (100% recommend)

Hanna for phosphate and nitrate (I like them but not a game changer)

Red Sea for magnesium (I use it with a smart stir, that thing is the best)

 

[FrostyWriter021]

The setup I use and really like:

Hanna for alkalinity (100% recommend)

Hanna for phosphate and nitrate (I like them but not a game changer)

Red Sea for magnesium (I use it with a smart stir, that thing is the best)

it just kills me that you get like 25 tests for whatever the solution costs and then the upright cost of the tester itself.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

If you have the funds I definitely recommend the Hanna checkers for Ca, dKH, and PO4.

Besides that I would recommend Red Sea. I have used RS, Salifert, and Nyos kits and found RS to be the most consistent - at least for me.

If I had more extra funds I would invest into Hanna’s as well!

 

[rtparty]

Salifert alkalinity and calcium and you’re set. pH is pointless if you’re not using a probe to monitor it 24/7 so you can skip that. Magnesium is also not worth testing if you’re doing water changes with a decent salt. Randy has a great thread about this