Best testing?

[TheApprentice]

What do you guys think is the best water test kit? I know some of them can get super expensive. (40 dollars for 20 ammonia tests and 20 nitrite tests)

What do you use? what comanies?

 

[TheApprentice]

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produ...ubref=AA&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=0026065000000

what about these ones?

 

[corndogg]

salifert & elos kits are the best

 

[jkreefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12500266#post12500266 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by corndogg
salifert & elos kits are the best

+1

 

[jtarmitage]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12500266#post12500266 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by corndogg
salifert & elos kits are the best

Ditto! My preference falls firmly to Elos though.

 

[TheApprentice]

thanks I guess I will check them out.

 

[northbay-reefer]

Check them out so you don't have to guess

 

[TheApprentice]

where on the net is a good place to get them or where do you guys get yours?

 

[corndogg]

This site tracks all of the sellers and their prices on the various salifert test kits. Elos seem to be the same everywhere and are a little more expensive.

http://www.geocities.com/hans1976/Salifert.html

You can still use your api test for frequent testing but it would be nice to know how off it was compared to a more accurate kit. Sort of give you a accuracy baseline. Since it really doesn't matter if your alk is at 8.3 or 8.7 you don't need to use the good kit all the time. But if your number starts to stray you can use the good kit to dial your alk back in.

I'm planning to buy a few api alk kits just for this reason. So I'm not using the salifert so fast.

 

[TheApprentice]

yeah thats a good idea. that is what I think I will do. I will just use the accurate tests when I am about to put in a new coral or fish. But for regular checks I will use the api.

I usually test every other day with API because they are so cheap but they aren't that accurate it seems.

 

[TheApprentice]

so you guys would say salifert or elos??

what about the instant ocean ones? I have a ph one and I can't really tell the difference in color.

 

[918ReefCpl]

We use Aquarium Pharmacuticals (API) for regular weekly tests, but have Salifert for precision tests...Have heard (read) rumblings of Salifert quality going down (research the forums here on RC)... Haven't tried ELOS yet so unable to comment... Have tried 2 different Alk tests from Salifert and found different readings even though tested side by side (not expired either). Unk exactly what the shelf life is on these kits...some are dated 2-3 yrs (Saliferts) others are unmarked (API). We used to use the old style Instant Ocean dry chem style, but like you said color differentiation was difficult. Dont know if anyone has suggested/tried this but your school's Chemistry teacher may have access (w/ educator discounts?) to test kits that could be just as accurate or more so than these. Just $.02 worth - but might be worth asking them about. Being in California, you probably have some really good Chemistry supply houses that you might be able to get these test kits from, just let them know exactly what your using the kits to test for and they should be able to guide you the rest of the way in choosing a good manufacturer to obtain the test kits from & the refill's/replacement chemicals might even be cheaper since you wouldnt have to buy a whole test kit, just the reagents.
Good Luck with your project

 

[TheApprentice]

hey thanks! I appreciate the info.

I do have chemistry classes and I should ask my teacher. (I don't start until the end of summer though)

That is a really good idea.

I have api right now and I just get different readings on a daily basis. its very strange.

the stores in my area don't sell salifert but the net sure does!

Thanks again!