What test kit do you guys use?

[ILikeFish!]

I was wondering whats the best test kits for testing parameters besides hanna checkers, i use api right now but I already know its not giving me accurate enough readings.

 

[Salty_Northerner]

Hanna calcium , HR nitrate, ULR phosphorus which can be a bit buggy but I'm starting to know the tank and can tell if that checker is off. Read 50ppb then actually took a small circular cleaning brush and now back reading properly. Hanna dkH checker works flawlessly and alway on point so actually happy with the desk top of Hanna boxes if got.

Even though the glass looks clean in the inside in my personal experience they do get a light residue built up after time and a good cleaning solves any inconsistencies. Just my 2 cents but milage will very.

 

[Aquachristik]

Alkalinity: Hanna
but I've used the Salifert and liked it
Calcium: Salifert
but I've used the Red Sea and liked it
Magnesium: Salifert
I like it better than the Aquaforest, but the AF does come with reference liquid which is nice.
Phosphate: Hanna
I've never used anything else
Nitrate: Hanna
but I've used the Salifert and it gets the job done

 

[Screwgunner]

Why does salifert have such bad reviews everywhere if everyone uses it?

The kit I received did not work.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The kit I received did not work.

Which kit and what happened?

Unfortunately, some people read Salifert kits backwards.

 

[gbroadbridge]

I was wondering whats the best test kits for testing parameters besides hanna checkers, i use api right now but I already know its not giving me accurate enough readings.

Salifert is good for everything excluding low range Phosphate.

Not sure why you say they have bad reviews - they are used by many folks with no probelms at all.

 

[Marbles]

Hanna and salifert
I do favor digital units and important that as with trident, the is a color meter doing the calculation and vials - MUST BE CLEAN !!
I like the trident also but not sold on its accuracy which is as dependable as the apex salinity probe

Hanna and salifert
I do favor digital units and important that as with trident, the is a color meter doing the calculation and vials - MUST BE CLEAN !!
I like the trident also but not sold on its accuracy which is as dependable as the apex salinity probe

What are you checking with Hanna checkers? Also, what are you checking with Salifert? Ph, phosphate, alkalinity, calcium, magnesium and nitrate. Thanks.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

What are you checking with Hanna checkers? Also, what are you checking with Salifert? Ph, phosphate, alkalinity, calcium, magnesium and nitrate. Thanks.

While I do not yet have them, this is my plan for my current tank:

Salifert calcium kit
Hanna HI784 Marine Ammonia Checker
Hanna HI782 Marine Nitrate High Range Checker
Hanna HI736 or 774 Ultra Low Range Phosphorus/Phosphate Colorimeter
Hanna Hi772 Saltwater Aquarium Alkalinity Colorimeter (dKH) Checker® HC

For iodine measurement by Rich Mathew method:
Hanna HI-707 Nitrite LR Checker
Red Sea Iodine Pro

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/randys-tank-and-learn-thread.1103636/page-19#post-13465787

 

[vetteguy53081]

What are you checking with Hanna checkers? Also, what are you checking with Salifert? Ph, phosphate, alkalinity, calcium, magnesium and nitrate. Thanks.

I uuse the Hanna Master kit which tests mag-alk-CA-Phos- nitrate and ammonia.

 

[MnFish1]

API. If used correctly I have not seen variability and I cannot see the salifert colors. Hanna was not worth the expense to me. Plus I do not tend to test that often. I think sometimes frequent testing leads to changes that may not be necessary. So I actually like the slight looseness of the API results ie getting an alk or around 9 as compared to 9.42.

 

[Marbles]

I uuse the Hanna Master kit which tests mag-alk-CA-Phos- nitrate and ammonia.

Thank you!

 

[Marbles]

While I do not yet have them, this is my plan for my current tank:

Salifert calcium kit
Hanna HI784 Marine Ammonia Checker
Hanna HI782 Marine Nitrate High Range Checker
Hanna HI736 or 774 Ultra Low Range Phosphorus/Phosphate Colorimeter
Hanna Hi772 Saltwater Aquarium Alkalinity Colorimeter (dKH) Checker® HC

For iodine measurement by Rich Mathew method:
Hanna HI-707 Nitrite LR Checker
Red Sea Iodine Pro

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/randys-tank-and-learn-thread.1103636/page-19#post-13465787

Thank you!

 

[DanyL]

While I do not yet have them, this is my plan for my current tank:

Salifert calcium kit
Hanna HI784 Marine Ammonia Checker
Hanna HI782 Marine Nitrate High Range Checker
Hanna HI736 or 774 Ultra Low Range Phosphorus/Phosphate Colorimeter
Hanna Hi772 Saltwater Aquarium Alkalinity Colorimeter (dKH) Checker® HC

For iodine measurement by Rich Mathew method:
Hanna HI-707 Nitrite LR Checker
Red Sea Iodine Pro

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/randys-tank-and-learn-thread.1103636/page-19#post-13465787

Do you think there is an actual benefit in testing both Ammonia *and* Nitrate when dosing NH4CO3?

Currently I’m simply dosing a safe amount multiple times a day blindly, and only measure its conversion to Nitrate, and it seem to work reliably for me. I guess testing it directly can have the benefit of being able to max the dosage safely?

I would also appreciate to have your input on their accuracy and reliability once you get to use them.

 

[Sophie"s mom]

I was wondering whats the best test kits for testing parameters besides hanna checkers, i use api right now but I already know its not giving me accurate enough readings.

I use Hanna for ALK, Nitrate, PH, Phosphate and calcium. Anything else, or as a second test for verification I use Salifert.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Do you think there is an actual benefit in testing both Ammonia *and* Nitrate when dosing NH4CO3?

Currently I’m simply dosing a safe amount multiple times a day blindly, and only measure its conversion to Nitrate, and it seem to work reliably for me. I guess testing it directly can have the benefit of being able to max the dosage safely?

I would also appreciate to have your input on their accuracy and reliability once you get to use them.

Not in an established tank and assuming the ammonia dosing is slowly ramped up. I blindly dosed it to my refugium when I set it up.

I mentioned ammonia testing only for a situation such as a hospital tank for a large host anemone (they often need it when first arriving). I may not actually buy one for a while. If I can get one before the rock and sand arrives for my tank, I may monitor that transition, but its not a priority.