Best test kits, Bang/Buck?

[pHish6_8]

I'm looking into a 30-50G mixed reef setup, mainly fish, with a few hardy inverts, maybe a coral or two to get my feet wet again.

I've been out of this hobby for some time, 'cause I discovered Radio-Control toys; I miss liquid TV>>>:fish1:

I'm looking to find the most accurate test kits, without breaking the bank. I purchased a LaMotte PO4 test kit years ago; T'was excellent, but $120 just for that one parameter...

What do y'all use for a quick, accurate go-to testing brand?

 

[irvp13]

I use salifert for ph, Elos frot alk, hanna for Ca and red sea for mag.
Lol what a mix!! I'd recommend Elos, nos too expensive but accurate and easy to read.

 

[bertoni]

I've used Salifert and IO for alkalinity. They're fine. Same for calcium. Other than that, a good device for measuring SG and a decent thermometer are the more important things to measure. A LFS might measure magnesium every couple of months for free.

 

[rogerwilco357]

i use the red sea test kits they have the combo for under 50.00 at alot of on-line sites the cool thing is when the reagent runs out you don't need to buy the whole kit red sea sells just the reagents for like 8 bucks ..of course depends on the kit and reagent needed..still best bang for the buck imo.

 

[milkman55]

Red Sea +1.

I use both the multi pro kit for Alk, Cal, and Mg.

Also the Algae Management for No3 and Po4.

Great test kits, easy to use and read.

I used both API and Salifert previously. Both did OK, but I prefer the Red Sea.

 

[pHish6_8]

OK, Then!
I'll look into Red Sea...

Thanks for the input

-Steve

 

[pHish6_8]

Other than that, a good device for measuring SG and a decent thermometer are the more important things to measure. A LFS might measure magnesium every couple of months for free.

Thanks, Bertoni,

I'll be posting more ?'s as they arise...
Hope I don't drive all of you nuts w/ stuff...:uzi:

 

[Dr. Reef]

i use red sea test kits, they are pretty good and good part is u can buy refills rather than whole kits all over again. i also use hanna checkers.

 

[kissman]

the new Red Sea Coral test kits, they have refills that are like $11 or $12

I was using salifert but after trying Red Sea's new kits I am sold on them easier to read at low levels, Phosphate and Ph buy digital

 

[DHyslop]

Salifert is made out of win. I use them for calcium, alkalinity and nitrate; and the Hanna checker for phosphate.

 

[irvp13]

I have the old Red Sea for Mag, its very difficult to read and if you stop swirling for 30 second the color changes. Are the new ones different?

 

[chercm]

i think d-d is good

 

[kissman]

I have the old Red Sea for Mag, its very difficult to read and if you stop swirling for 30 second the color changes. Are the new ones different?

God yes world of difference! I hated the old ones

 

[tmz]

I use:
Alkalinity-Salifert,API
Calcium-Salifert
Magnesium-Slaifert
Ph -Amerciacn Marine pinp[oint monitor
NO3 Salefrt ,api.
Ammonia- Salifert. api
Nitrite- api
Salinity/specific gravity- refractometer andpinpoint conductivity meter
Potassium- Red Sea
Iodine-Red Se
Iron- Red Sea

 

[Malign Reefer]

Hanna, hands down

 

[kissman]

I use:
Alkalinity-Salifert,API
Calcium-Salifert
Magnesium-Slaifert
Ph -Amerciacn Marine pinp[oint monitor
NO3 Salefrt ,api.
Ammonia- Salifert. api
Nitrite- api
Salinity/specific gravity- refractometer andpinpoint conductivity meter
Potassium- Red Sea
Iodine-Red Se
Iron- Red Sea

How is that Red Sea Colors test kit? Is it worth it, I am thinking of getting it? Are you doing the color dosing too?

 

[tmz]

No, I don't dose any trace or minor elements,food and water changes seem to do well for me. The tests are ok, easy to read; I was just curious about K levels, and iodine. The trio kit including the iron was a cheaper deal than two kits so I got that. Not sure I'd spend the mopney on it again though.

 

[firebirdude]

Other than that, a good device for measuring SG and a decent thermometer are the more important things to measure.

Agreed. Don't over worry. Keep up on your water changes and all your parameters will be fine. Any somewhat decent kit is fine. Even the cheap API test kits will show ammonia or nitrites. Is the level shown 100% accurate? Well, it really doesn't matter. Fact is the ammonia and nitrite level should be zero and it's not. It's an alert to you to find out what's going on. That's all that it needs to be IMO. As for your other elements, if you keep up on the water changes, you should be fine. Calcium might be important, but a ballpark is good enough IMO. It will tell you if you need to supplement calcium or not (which you should probably already know by the stock level of your tank).

Just making a point. Don't obsess over pinpoint accuracy. Keep up on your maintenance and just enjoy the hobby.

 

[bongarone]

I've had rotten luck with Red Sea kits in terms of durability... shipping damage, clogged bottle nozzles, etc.

I'm happy with my Hanna checkers and Salifert kits.

 

[Andrew D]

Seems like you're getting a wide range of experiences and opinions here. I've using many different kinds, was stuck on seachem for a while, but am now very happy with salifert kits for alk, calcium and magnesium. IMO you don't really need to measure phosphate and nitrate once your tank matures and you kinda know what's going on, while ph is done using a ph meter.