Saltwater Test Kits

[adalius]

So what do you guys suggest for saltwater test kits? I know Red Sea is basically the oh-heck-no of testing, and I hear API is pretty 'meh'. I hear Salifert is good, but I'm looking for something all-in-one like Red Sea has, where it comes with PO4/NO3/NO2/etc all in one box and I can't seem to find a Salifert one like that.

Thoughts?

[XSiVE]

I've just got a bunch of salifert kits.

[adalius]

Yea, I just don't want to pay $20/box and have to buy 7 boxes or whatever... was hoping there's a reliable kit, I know instant ocean has one with 4 tests for $40, but even that brings it down to $10/type.

[fawkes]

Kits tend to give you tests you may not use - especially before they expire. If you do fish only, you may not want CA, KH tests and the like. Similarly if you grow only frags, you will likely need other tests. You will probably only need nitrite tests if your tank is cycling. I use Salifert for many of the tests. There is a 5 in 1 test strip by one of the companies - it is good for watching for changes (not so great at precise values).

[adalius]

Yea, I have a reef tank, so I'm looking for one that specifically has PO4/NO3/Si/pH/Alk/Ca/kH or at least a good portion of them. I already use 5 in 1 test strips, but I like having specific reagents on hand to verify the strips accuracy if it looks suspect, I use them probably 2-3 times a week and then actually use the test kits once a week. I (foolishly) bought a kit online and didn't realize it was a Red Sea one until I got it so now I'm looking for alternatives. But like I said, buying individual Salifert ones really jacks the price up quick.

[CalmSeasQuest]

I've had decent results with API. They are relatively inexpensive and very easy. Post cycle I only use the Ca and dKh. Once in a blue moon I'll test for NO3, but never find any. For PO3, the best I've found is the Hanna Colorimeter, nothing else comes close for measuring lower levels (0-2.5ppm.) Salifert for Mg, Refractometer for salinity and Apex for pH and ORP.

[gablett]

I have all 3. Red sea sucks. I used a couple tests and had it so long it expired. API is not much better. And I have everything salifert now. Get very accurate and consistent results. Sorry, but if you want good tests, its gonna cost ya.

[jolson10450]

buy the salifert tests on ebay. make sure it is listed as new as well. i got a phosphate salifert test kit that was new for $15 shipped, if you find a vendor that has them cheaper and you can comebine shipping for all of them it is worth the investment.

[Mike]

So what do you guys suggest for saltwater test kits? I know Red Sea is basically the oh-heck-no of testing, and I hear API is pretty 'meh'. I hear Salifert is good, but I'm looking for something all-in-one like Red Sea has, where it comes with PO4/NO3/NO2/etc all in one box and I can't seem to find a Salifert one like that.

Thoughts?

Lamotte has one but it is $$$$$$

I use Lamotte for NO3- (well worth the initial investment because the refills are cheap), Hanna meter for PO4, and salifert for ALK, CA, and MG. Hanna meters have come down recently so it is worth saving your change to get one ;)

[Manoj's Reef]

Lamotte has one but it is $$$$$$

I use Lamotte for NO3- (well worth the initial investment because the refills are cheap), Hanna meter for PO4, and salifert for ALK, CA, and MG. Hanna meters have come down recently so it is worth saving your change to get one ;)

Hi Mike, any reason why you did not choose Lamotte for alk? I have heard good things about it vs the salifert

[streetrodder007]

I like the API, plus alot of LFS use the same ones.

[nate_newton]

I've tried the different ones; Salifert, Elos, and API, for the money and consistency API is my favorite. It hasn't failed me yet. Check your LFS when they do a water test, I know quite a few that use it and you'll see there test cards taped near there water workstation.

[MizTanks]

I've been using API's reef kit for over a year now and have done great by it. 42.00$ I don't use the nitrite/nitrate/ammonia so I sold em on Aquabid and bought me 2 new in the box Cal and a new PH/KH.

[ReeferRob]

To be honest I've used them all and don't trust any. They all vary very much. ELOS is supposed to be the most consistent and I've received multiple test that have different amounts of reagent fluids and number of tests per box be different. Salifert people swear buy, but for me every single test for calcium or mag reads off the charts no mater what I do to the tank or the test.
I think the best form is your own observations with your eyes of how the tank inhabitants are reacting. That and its nice to know if your in left or right field with alk to avoid alk burn with a bac driven system.!

[adalius]

I don't expect to get any test kit that is laboratory grade for a decent price. I'm mainly looking for a test kit to second guess myself. Like right now, I'm using RO/DI, lowered my lighting, still fighting diatoms, but my silica and phos tests are coming back clean. I need another test to be able to judge my eyes against since my eyes tell me there has to be silicates for it to be forming, but the test says there aren't any. And I can't justify driving an hour to the LFS all the time just for a water test.

That said, I think API's reef kit is going to be my best bet since it seems to be reasonably priced without being as far off the mark as Red Sea's.

[Frank143]

Salifert for ALK, CAL, and MAG. Hanna digital meter for PO4.

[schminksbro]

I wouldn't trust any kit other than Lamotte for alk. That is the only parameter I ever test. PO4 kits are useless. I guess Salifert for anything else but once your tank is cycled you need to observe and adjust accordingly. If you have algae you have nutrients. The more algae you have the more nutrients you have. If you make corrections and you still have algae then you still have nutrients. In other words practiced observation is more accurate than most test kits on the market. Most experienced reefers rarely or never test. Innaccurate test results are as dangerous as not testing to start with.

[AZDesertRat]

API for the basic cycle testing and Salifert for everything else. Coming from a water/wastewater treatment background we used almost all Hach and LaMotte in both the field and lab but I'm not that rich at home.