prettyfishy76 Posted October 22, 2012 Share Posted October 22, 2012 I have been using API kits for many years, even back when I kept freshwater aquariums. It seemed as if they worked well enough, but recently, I am finding it difficult to get accurate readings from my kit. What other test kits do you all use? I keep seahorses, so I would like the test kit(s) to be fairly accurate and consistent. I want to test for pH, Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, Phosphate, Calcium, and kH. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(Bio)³ Posted October 22, 2012 Share Posted October 22, 2012 I use salifert test kits, going to get another hanna checker for phosphates. Also I use a ph probe on the apex for ph and an additional hand held ph/ec/tds system to periodically check. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jestep Posted October 22, 2012 Share Posted October 22, 2012 Salifert have been the best I've used, but they are admittedly very expensive if you are going to buy the whole set of them. Personally, I wouldn't worry about Ammonia and NO2 once your tank is established. You shouldn't ever have detectable ammonia or nitrite unless something really bad happens in which case I can guarantee you wont need a test kit to tell you something is wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timfish Posted October 22, 2012 Share Posted October 22, 2012 I use API for pH, calcium and alkalinity. Elos for phosphates. (I don't bother much with ammonia, nitrite or nitrate.) The different articles I've seen comparing the different brands/manufacturers typically show most of the colormetric type tests are realatively reliable but also open to interpretation depending on the perceptions of the tester. It is important to store any reagents properly and don't use old stuff, I usually by new kits yearly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard L Posted October 22, 2012 Share Posted October 22, 2012 Like most of you I have been using a mixture of test kits and I bet like many of of you, I have never really trusted my results. At MACNA I met the owner of Aquariumwatertesting.com and decided that having my water tested in labratory conditions and with more accurate testing methods was the right thing for my tank. I'm sending them samples every Monday and have only been doing it for two weeks. For now I'm still doing my own battery of test and it has been interesting comparing the two. Here's the report from last week's test: www.aquariumwatertesting.com - .pdf They also place all the past results into colored charts which is not that interesting yet, having only completed two rounds of tests. I plan on starting a thread about it once I have a couple of months' tests completed. It costs between $24 to 42 for a single battery of tests depending on how may tests you buy up front. Of course that's really expensive when you compare it to doing the tests yourself but I'm looking at it as cheap insurance for the thousands of dollars of fish and coral I have in my tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timfish Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 Here's some links on testing, The one by Dr. Tim is pretty interesting but doesn't actually deal with a specific brand per se: http://dfwmas.org/files/TestKitAnalysis.pdf Aquarium Chemistry: An attempt to test test kits http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2012/6/chemistry Dr. Tim's Test review /www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPiDRid_Km8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
offroadodge Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 i use API for a quick check and if something looks crazy then i grab the NEW Red Sea test kits to check KH,PH,CAL, and MG. Im like Tim all i ever check is KH CAL . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobR Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 The new red sea kits are pretty easy to read and they have refills available so you don't have to buy a new kit every time. Been using their Alk, Ca. and Mg kits and they are pretty consistent. For phosphates, IMO you can't beat the hanna checker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 I check the following parameters in my tank, now on a monthly basis: pH - Apex probe Temp- Apex probe Salinity - hydrometer and refractometer Ca - Red Sea Test Kit Alk - Hanna Meter Phosphate - Hanna Meter (sometimes test every 2 weeks) Iron - Red Sea Test Kit (rarely test) I like the Red Sea test kits, so ditto to what RobR said. It all depends on what type of tank you are running. Personally, when I first started, all I tested was temperature and salinity. I also only kept softies and LPS but kept them well for 6 years with regular 2 week water changes. Once you go SPS, you test a whole lot more than the average reefer, I'd say... but at least my water changes have changed from 2x a month to 2x a year now! Woohoo! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+brian.srock Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 Use Red Sea test kits. At first they were a little too difficult for me to use but now that I have it down I test weekly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scubasteve92 Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 I use the red sea kits for cal, alk, mag, and nitrates. I will be getting a hanna checker for phosphates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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