Which test kit do you use?

[tupes]

I haven't found a thread like this so I hope it helps a lot of folks that I see battling algea and other tank related issues.

Wanting to get some new test kits and with there being so many options, I wanted to see what everyone is using these days.. After voting please comment what you are using for each.

Example:
I am currently using Salifert for Nitrates, Nitrite, Phosphate and Ammonia

I use RedSea for Calcium, Magnesium and Alkalinity.

Hanna checker for phosphate also.

Lastly, I use the Apex for my Ph.

However, I've had the RedSea kit for quite some time and there is no expiration date on any of the bottles. When doing the alkalinity test, it is not changing colors like it should be. My calcium and mag are working fine.

 

[davocean]

Salifert has been the most accurate from my reading and personal experience

 

[RobZilla04]

Hanna - Alk / Cal / Phosphorus ULR
Salifert - pH & Nitrate

 

[Duffer]

Salifert for calcium, magnesium and check Alk
Hanna for Alk and phosphate

 

[Mical]

Hanna for Alk
Red Sea for Cal & Mag

Note: just purchased Nyos Mag test kit - not happy or impressed very inconsistent

 

[Captain Quint]

Salifert Pro Package but interested in going Hanna or Triton.

 

[Mical]

I really like the Hanna Alk test kit. The Calcium has more steps but am getting used to it. I had been using Red Sea and it's been consistent but always looking for better. Red Sea's is my goto if I feel results are shaky.

 

[Oshengems]

Salifer -Nitrates, magnesium( have both Ca & Kh But Elos are much Easier same results)
Strontium(wasted money too long to test)

Elos- alkalinity, Calcium

Hanna- phosphate( get the low range not this one) once regeant are down switching it phosphorus better reading for low readings

RedSea - Iodine, Iron, potassium ( wasted money rarely test)

 

[Undertaker]

I use Hanna for dkh and phosphate, red sea for cal/mag, and salifert for no3

 

[Bradley Keck]

I have used Hanna for phos and Alk and have been very happy with them. Initially, I used red sea for Ca, Mg, and Nitrate. I kept getting off the chart readings for Mg. Under the advice of R2R experts, I switched to Salifert for Mg and it was giving me normal readings that made more sense than the red sea kit. It was giving me results in 1600-1700 range which did not make any sense unless my salt mix was way off on their Mg levels. The first time I used the Salifert, I got a reading of 1380. Much better. ;)

 

[AdamNC]

Hanna Instruments - Alk ppm, Po4 ULR ppm and TDS

Red Sea Pro - Ca, Mg, No3, I2, K and Fe

Red Sea - SG refractometer

Apex - Temp and pH

 

[Homebrewer]

dKh=Hanna (too easy and accurate not to)

Ca=RedSea (easy titration, I like the adapter that attaches to the vial)

Mg=Salifert (easiest to read, clear pink to blue at end of titration IMO. Becomes inconsistent as reagent ages though)

phosphate=RedSea (going to Hanna when reagent runs out, haven't decided which one yet)

nitrates=Nyos (recently switched, though I'm not in love with this so far. I like the range but colors don't match up easily IMO)

salinity=Marine Depot refractometer (calibrated to zero on distilled H2O)

temp=probe that comes with my light controller (TMC AquaRay)

pH (and rarely used tests like ammonia, nitrite, etc.)=API (need to get a probe)

Finally, I've had Salifert tests for just about everything at one time or another… I currently don't test for iron, silica, iodine, etc., but think I'll go RedSea if I start looking at those numbers again.

 

[DSC reef]

We used hanna for alkalinity (dkh)
Salifert for calcium, magnesium, nitrates and phosphates.

 

[DesertReefT4r]

In the past Salifert for alk, cal and mag API for PH and NO3 even alk and cal for quick checks or tanks that alk and cal did not matter, never tested PO4 but when I did I took water to a LFS that had the old large Hanna tester. Now I use Red Sea Pro for alk, cal, mag, NO3 and PO4. I still have an API Reef Master kit as a back up or to double check a weird result. PH is tested by my DA controller with a BRS single junction probe currently.

 

[tupes]

Thanks all. Guess I'll be sticking with what I have.