Best nitrate test kit

[DRThompson]

Just curious, what do you use or recommend. Currently using a salifert but running low and will need to buy another one soon.

 

[mwminer]

I bought a new salifert recently and instead of it having 2 different powder reagents it had a liquid and a powder. I think they are the most accurate. Wish Hanna Checker would come out with their promised nitrate checker. I'm just lazy and color blind

 

[Juggernaut63]

I had been using Salifert kits because they had a reputation for being the best and came highly recommended but, many companies have stepped up their game and have come up with improved kits that IMO surpass the Salifert kits.

For nitrates I am using the Red Sea Pro which is easily far superior to the Salifert. Watch the BRS video for more info.

I also use the Elos for Calcium now.

For other tests that are basic titrations the Salifert is fine.

 

[AquamanE]

Voted for Salifert but have not tried the others for NO3 (except API, not impressed as from zero- it goes to 5, Salifert allows in between that)

I use:
CA- API
ALK- API
Mag- Salifert
NO3- Salifert
PHO4- Hanna

 

[Biggar]

I use:
Ca -API
Alk- API
Pho4- Hanna
Mag- Salifert
Nitrate- Watch tank for unusual growth ( ;

I dont test for nitrates, only when curing rock

 

[AquamanE]

I use:
Ca -API
Alk- API
Pho4- Hanna
Mag- Salifert
Nitrate- Watch tank for unusual growth ( ;

I dont test for nitrates, only when curing rock

Not a good idea Mike. Nitrates and phosphates are your indicators to water pollution status. You dont need to test for it every week, but ide recommend once a month. At that rate a kit will last you a year, why risk it?

 

[rc1626]

I've been using Salifert for a while and recently started using the Red Sea Pro Nitrate & Phosphate kits since dosing NO3PO4X. I've got to say the Red Sea kits seem pretty good. I normally test PO4 w/ my Hanna and every time I test with the Red Sea they are right there with each other. Looking to try ALK & Cal as well when my Salifert runs out.

Rob

 

[Biggar]

Not a good idea Mike. Nitrates and phosphates are your indicators to water pollution status. You dont need to test for it every week, but ide recommend once a month. At that rate a kit will last you a year, why risk it?

I know I should but my nitrate kit allows reads zero when I did in the past. It became a waste of time.

If I actually had a good test kit, it would be different.

So far it looks like salifert is in the lead.

Im curious to see if hanna comes out with one.

 

[AquamanE]

Salifert can read as low as 0.2

 

[jc-reef]

Word of caution on ageing test kits.....I saw this on drummereef's thread yest. I have the same test kit that no matter what I do, NO3 reads 20+ and my corals are far from brown. I wonder if I have a faulty test kit. I'll be ordering a new test kit asap.

UPDATE:


Well here's some wild and wacky stuff... The API Nitrate test kit I had been using was getting old so I decided to pick up another at the LFS today. Well, the results were a little shocking to say the least. All along I thought my NO3 was sticking around 17-20ppm but after testing with the new kit they are actually reading ~5ppm. :eek2: I thought the colors in the corals were starting to come back slightly so I couldn't see how the NO3 was still ~20ppm but didn't have a fresh kit to compare numbers.

So suggestions guys... Should I remove some of the pellets from the reactor now that I know for sure they've kicked in, or leave it alone for a while and see what happens?




Colors are a little darker in the pic but you can see the difference between the two tests.

NEW Test Kit - Left..................................................................OLD Test Kit - Right

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=20021693#post20021693

 

[DRThompson]

over 200 views but only 12 people voted