Beaux Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 Now that I am feeling a bit more comfortable with my reefing skills, I need to invest in the full spectrum kits. I have just a basic one that is more for fresh water than salt. Anyone have any suggestions or expierance they would like to share on which brand to go with? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timfish Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 I guess for starters expensive isn't necessarily better and I would suggest getting with other aquarists and trying different test kits to see what you find are the easiest to use. Foe myself I use: Alkalinity - API pH - API Nitrate >1.0 mg/l - Nyos Nitrate <1.0 mg/l Red Sea PO4 > 0.5 mg/l - API P04 < 0.5 mg/l Nyos Elos Calcium - API Magnesium - Red Sea Since my test kits get carted around in my van I've found the nitrate reagents age much quicker than the dates given so I replace those often. There are nitrate standards available if you want to check them periodicly. I have run into a problem with a salinity standard changing for refractometers even though it was kept tightly capped in my frig so I also now keep a glass hydrometer around to double check refractometers along with a standard. With all my test kits I try to remember to check an old test kit/reagent against a new test kit even if the expiration date is a long way off. One tester I was not impressed with was Hanna's alklinity. When I got mine I compared it to a friends with the same sample of water and got 4 different results with a difference of .5 dKH using both reagents in the same tester and a maximum of .9 dKH between the two testers. Using APIs Alklinity and doubling or tripling the sample then dividing the result by 2 or 3 would be easier and more consistent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jolt Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 I'm a big fan of the Hanna alkalinity checker. I use Hanna ULR phosphorous (its low range, they have a higher range phosphate meter too), and I use Salifert for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and magnesium. Red sea for iodine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paula Posted January 14, 2018 Share Posted January 14, 2018 I use a Hanna for alkalinity. Definitely want to get the ULR Phosphorous when I'm not spending all my $$$ on other things. Currently, I use Salifert for CA, Mg, and Phosphorous. Using an API for nitrites and nitrates.I like the Hanna, I have a very consistent technique and I think that helps me feel confident in the results.Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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