Who to trust?

[MizTanks]

I've used nothing but API for the last 10yrs-first for FW and now for SW-never an issue. I haven't tried anything else. I use a refractormeter and calibrate it with RO every 4-6 months.

[ReeferRob]

like they always say.

a man with one test kit knows what his parameter are, a man with two test kits is never sure!

i use all salifert test for everything and i do not go by what other test kits say for this reason.

Great point.

I use LaMotte for Alk/Ca.

API for NO3 (assuming it's remotely close I'm fine).

Based on my findings, relying on API can be quite dangerous. API was telling me I was in the money, then I cross referenced it to the Salifert and I was at almost 50ppm before a past due water change.

I'll be using all Hanna digitals once they come out, can't wait, and neither can the lazy reefer in me

Any probes should be calibrated at least bi-weekly. I calibrate refractometer before every use, but I prefer my floating hydormeter (high grade) to refractometers. Regarding cleaning, dump, rinse in tap several times, then rinse in RO/DI and let dry. Rinse in RO/DI before use next time and swish tank water in vial prior to running test. Make sure to never put the vials in your system to fill with water, use a pipette.

I am anxiously awaiting the Hanna digi's as well. I don't consider myself a lazy reefer, but when I comes to testing......there are many other things I would rather do! Plus there seems to be way too much inconsistency with in the test kits, as well as human error.

Im glad you made it a point to mention that a reefer should never dip the test vial into the reef water directly. A newbie may not know the importance of this. I always fill a small plastic dixie cup with reef water and then use a syringe to fill the test vials.

I also use an old babys bottle drying rack to hold and dry all my test vials up side down and caps to dry out after a thorough rising in tap, and then a quick roll in some RO.

Rob,

to be honest , its hard to say.

So moral of the story in my opinon is, if you have a test kit that works for you and your corals are doing fine stick with it. I know once in a while you will have bad batches and you will have to watch out for that.

Had to let it out lol I hope it helps

Again a great point. Like Mucho always says "Listen to your reef, it will give you the answers" Through close observation with one's eyes and one test kit brand is the way to go for me.

[henry hill]

Ah test kits?

[rmalone]

Currently I am using Salifert for nitrate, cal, alk, and mag. I don't test for anything else. My experience with api is that the cal seems to jive with salifert, nitrate has given me some false negatives (it could be me I suppose), one test would show 0 nitrates and the next test from the same sample might show 20ppm nitrates. When I used api I would always test twice.

My next kits will be Lamotte for cal and alk. I will probably stick with Salifert for nitrate and mag.

I set up a nitrate test with Ocean, Tetra, Salifert and API. The discrepency in readings was scary to say the least. I have never seen the Ocean nitrate test show ANY nitrates despite readings by every other kit.

[streetrodder007]

I have used API for the last couple years. But I have always wondered- 99% of all my tests show I have near perfect tank water. Are the tests bad and always error towards a good reading? Or am I that good at keeping perfect water? I think not.
The only tests I have noticed that do fluctuate a lot are Calcium.

[stunreefer]

Based on my findings, relying on API can be quite dangerous. API was telling me I was in the money, then I cross referenced it to the Salifert and I was at almost 50ppm before a past due water change.

Yeah, A.P.I. is quick and easy, but past that they're definitely the lower end of the totem pole IIRC, I've only tested NO3 once since November (when the AGE went back up) so I'm not too worried about it. Corals and fish are very happy I would be skeptical of your 50 ppm reading from Salifert though - many corals would not be too happy with that level, although I did see you mention some favia issues as of late. I would also expect your Acros to be pretty ticked off at 50 ppm.

I use a refractormeter and calibrate it with RO every 4-6 months.

You should consider recalibrating your refractometer more frequently, and definitely use Calibration Solution, not RO water. RO water calibrate to the low end of the scale, and we want mid range (depending on your scale).

[ReeferRob]

I would be skeptical of your 50 ppm reading from Salifert though - many corals would not be too happy with that level, although I did see you mention some favia issues as of late. I would also expect your Acros to be pretty ticked off at 50 ppm.

See that's the thing, everything in the DT is just fine. Everything is happy, well except me.......
The favia issue is going on in the "grow out." Different tank.