Which test kits is everyone liking?

[Maize & Blue]

Hanna calcium checker is very frustrating. In the first test it read 392. Really? The second test read 420. I did the test the same way both times. Mag tested different 3 times. I tested phosphorus ULR the first came back 62 (0.19) the second test was 32 (0.098) Red Sea came back somewhere between .08-0.12 Everyone talks consistency, and how do you expect that to happen with these test kits? So I test Red Sea, Hanna and Salifert and take the average.

 

[painter1982]

Hanna for Alk, Phosphate and Nitrate
Red Sea for Calcium
Salfert for Magnesium

The Hanna checkers are very in-accurate for Calcium and Magnesium.

They are consistent and accurate enough if you do it with the exact same amount of water every time. You have to do it by weight.

 

[painter1982]

I use Hanna for nitrate and phosphate. DIY alk titration for alk. I do not test magnesium or calcium.

Hanna Alk is so simple that I don’t think I would want a DIY. Do you have a link for the DIY just in case that’s easier?

 

[JonoH]

They are consistent and accurate enough if you do it with the exact same amount of water every time. You have to do it by weight.

This just isnt true - the Calcium checker has a variation of +-6% which is huge, plus you need to have proper Lab Grade Deionised water (not just RODI) to run a test. A quick search on here will show others have this same issue.

The Magnesium tester seemed to constantly test high (which also aligns with others reviews of them), and the process was pretty convuluted when compared to the other tests out there.

I have had both the Magnesium and Calcium Hanna testers, and could not get an consistent result from them, even running back to back tests and using lab grade deionised water (H170436).

 

[painter1982]

They are consistent and accurate enough if you do it with the exact same amount of water every time. You have to do it by weight.

This just isnt true - the Calcium checker has a variation of +-6% which is huge, plus you need to have proper Lab Grade Deionised water (not just RODI) to run a test. A quick search on here will show others have this same issue.

The Magnesium tester seemed to constantly test high (which also aligns with others reviews of them), and the process was pretty convuluted when compared to the other tests out there.

I have had both the Magnesium and Calcium Hanna testers, and could not get an consistent result from them, even running back to back tests and using lab grade deionised water (H170436).

I use the Hanna di water. Brs has it by the gallon. I’m not worried about +-6%. It’s the trend that matters. If you test it the same every time the trend is accurate. I have zero issues with the checker used this way. Now if I have to look at a test tube and a color chart or have to count drops until a color changes and wonder if it changed enough then i couldn’t be certain it’s always the same. Then trend wouldn’t be accurate.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Im Hanna all the way and user friendly

 

[draj]

salinity - milwaukee ma887
no3 - hanna / nyos
po4 - hanna
kh - hanna

if and when i test these:
mag - redsea
ca - redsea / salifert / own a hanna but rarely use

ph - probe / salifert

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Hanna Alk is so simple that I don’t think I would want a DIY. Do you have a link for the DIY just in case that’s easier?

It is far cheaper and more accurate to diy, but you need a pH meter.

https://www.reefedition.com/a-diy-alkalinity-test-by-randy-holmes-farley/

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Hanna Alk is so simple that I don’t think I would want a DIY. Do you have a link for the DIY just in case that’s easier?

It is far cheaper and more accurate to diy, but you need a pH meter.

https://www.reefedition.com/a-diy-alkalinity-test-by-randy-holmes-farley/

 

[synapticfire]

I use Hanna ULR Phosphates and Hanna HR Nitrates.
RedSea for Calcium and Alkalinity.
Tropic Marin hydrometer for salinity (SG)

It is critically important to make sure the glass cuvettes for the Hanna tests are spotlessly clean if you want any semblance of accuracy.

Also, I got an AutoAqua stir recently. It makes everything better.

 

[blkcoral]

Buy an API AquaSpin Photometer. $8 per test and test once per week. Results uploaded to your computer. No judgment on color, reading tiny syringes, cleaning cuvettes, dangerous reagents, etc. Isn't your time more valuable than laborious test kits that have known inaccuracies? Or skip testing yourself and visit a LFS that has an AquaSpin once per week. Just my opinion.

 

[InvaderJim]

Hanna for Alk, Phosphate, Nitrate
Salifert for Calcium, Magnesium, and Nitrate if I just want a ballpark number.

 

[Maize & Blue]

Buy an API AquaSpin Photometer. $8 per test and test once per week. Results uploaded to your computer. No judgment on color, reading tiny syringes, cleaning cuvettes, dangerous reagents, etc. Isn't your time more valuable than laborious test kits that have known inaccuracies? Or skip testing yourself and visit a LFS that has an AquaSpin once per week. Just my opinion.

$2514.50 worth are you kidding! I’d buy another tank with that kind f cash. Come on really?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Buy an API AquaSpin Photometer. $8 per test and test once per week. Results uploaded to your computer. No judgment on color, reading tiny syringes, cleaning cuvettes, dangerous reagents, etc. Isn't your time more valuable than laborious test kits that have known inaccuracies? Or skip testing yourself and visit a LFS that has an AquaSpin once per week. Just my opinion.

Do you know whether the results are accurate?

 

[blkcoral]

I did mention it was my opinion. And I did mention visiting LFS once per week which would be about $500 per year which has to close to the cost of all test kits/reagents which again have known/disclosed inaccuracies.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I did mention it was my opinion. And I did mention visiting LFS once per week which would be about $500 per year which has to close to the cost of all test kits/reagents which again have known/disclosed inaccuracies.

Just asking why you’d suggest such an expensive device. Nothing wrong with having an opinion, I’m just more used to people not thinking the results were very accurate.

 

[blkcoral]

Two separate discussions going on:
1. Maize & Blue posed a common question that has been debated constantly on R2R. There has never been any consistent agreement. I did not appreciate the sarcastic response of "Come on Really". If something is too expensive for someone asking for advice, be polite and just say "thanks but more than I choose to pay". And why would you buy another tank if you don't know how to properly test your existing tank?
2. Randy Holmes-Farley appears to be an expert chemist who appears to be asking why I think the AquaSpin is more accurate than other test kits. I am not an expert chemist. I have back tested the Aquaspin results to other test kits (same water at relatively same time, same water temperature, etc.) and noted it appears to be in the "sweet spot" using golfing terminology.

 

[BryanM]

I am about to start adding coral to the tank and figgure it's about time I get some test kits. Which brands is everyone liking for each specific tests? I know i used to have hanna for all and ran red sea for ca and nitrate.

Thanks in advance.

I bought the hanna marine master, mostly because the app saves the test results.

Now that I've been doing this for a little over a year, I'd probably focus mostly on phos and nitrate testing, alk testing, and throw in a calcium test every now and then.

 

[David S]

I am about to start adding coral to the tank and figgure it's about time I get some test kits. Which brands is everyone liking for each specific tests? I know i used to have hanna for all and ran red sea for ca and nitrate.

Thanks in advance.

Without hesitation, I would go with the Salifert test kit for Calcium and Potassium.
I doubt if anything else comes close.
I base this on the fact that I do frequent ICP testing, primarily for trace elements.
I always run my hobby test kits when I send in the ICP and the Salifert results I get for CA & K are no more than 5% off from ICP, although they are usually spot on.
Salifert updated their Magnesium test and they are coming in accurate as well.
Also, Salifert Kh test, I've used for years with consistent results, as per my Alkatronic .
For Phosphate, I like the Red Sea Pro.
It is expensive, but after the initial cost, you can get the refills at a reasonable price.
Finally, for Nitrate, I use Salifert and/or API (very underrated) for good ballpark figures.

 

[blkcoral]

Randy Holmes-Farley is the expert chemist. Based upon more inquiries certain folks question the accuracy the API AquaSpin for calcium and magnesium. Trust the expert!