Best Nitrate and Phosphate Test kits

[Sparkpaul]

I use the Red Sea Pro for Ca, Mg, Alk and NO3, but not for phosphates, I use a Hanna meter for PO4.

+1

I used to use Salifert but I switched over to Red Sea Pro.
Easier and more robust.

 

[Cod Fish]

Are the elos nitrate and phosphate kits accurate enough for sps tank?

 

[bertoni]

They should be, although I haven't used those kits, personally.

 

[SGT_York]

API are the best for a FOWLR system where you should expect to find nitrates in the 60's + Salifert tests are useless as those systems would be off the chart. By the same reasoning API is not the test for a reef system when you want to check nitrates and phosphates in the 0 to 5 ranges. API tests are not designed for the level of detail we want in a reef test. Good tests for beginners setting up a reef tank not wanting delicate corals or anemones and low on budgets but not at all acceptable for mature tanks or SPS corals.

 

[Salty Irishman]

Hang onto your $. As others have commented, look at your tank and evaluate. I've been through the kits and last tried Salifert's nitrate and Hanna's low range phosphate photometer, both great kits imo, but still coming up zero on both and yet bubble algae is present and multiplying. I've upgraded my skimmer and going to see what impact that has (for sure pulling more skimmate than the old one.) If that doesn't do it, on to vinegar additions to my kalk.