I just tested Elos test kits

[EddieJ]

I don't see much talk about the Hagen(Nutrafin) kits, what is everyones take on those? I have pretty much used them across the board (ph,alk,ca,PO4,Ammonia,trite,trate) I have recently started using a Salifert for Nitrate and they seem pretty close. I have Salifert CA/MG/Amm/Alk on order. Any tips on using the Salifert kits that I should be aware of?

 

[jpndave]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11736947#post11736947 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Billybeau1
I still like Salifert for calcium. I haven't had any problems with that kit.

I kept thinking something else was wrong with my Seachem calcium results, but time after time, it kept reading about 70 ppm low.

That seems about right with my kit as well. A "good" batch of Reef Crystals measures about 350 and the bad ones in the 200s. So, I should be able to use up the Seachem by just "adding" about 70 to the calcium # and then replace the kit with a salifert or something else. What about for ph, alk, mag, and the rest of the testing. Is salifert safe for all? I have a digital ph meter but lack the 10 reference to set it up plus would like a back up test just to be sure. I have a marine basic and advanced from seachem which is probably good enough for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate as they have been zero for a long time.

 

[rbursek]

FYI, picked up a thread yesterday on Elos MG kits, if it has an experation date of 12-09 there instructions are wrong for the reagent, multiply drops by75 not 100, I talked to Jesse at Elos USA about this and he confirmed it. I got mine from MD Wednesday.

 

[kstallbe]

Okay, I think now I'm more confused. Which Calc tests are reliable?

 

[Billybeau1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11736120#post11736120 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jpndave
Is Salifert still a safe way to go for most tests? It was hinted at above (if I am reading this correctly) that there have been some problems.

BTW, thanks for doing this. It answers a lot of questions with my CA levels being low since I have the dreaded Seachem test kit.

Despite the recent unsatisfied users, I am not having any problems with my Saliferts. The alk might be reading a tad high, but not enough to get alarmed IMO.

 

[Billybeau1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11737073#post11737073 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EddieJ
I don't see much talk about the Hagen(Nutrafin) kits, what is everyones take on those? I have pretty much used them across the board (ph,alk,ca,PO4,Ammonia,trite,trate) I have recently started using a Salifert for Nitrate and they seem pretty close. I have Salifert CA/MG/Amm/Alk on order. Any tips on using the Salifert kits that I should be aware of?

Eddie
[welcome]

I don't mention Hagen kits because I do not care for them. I've gotten poor results in the past and just quite using them.

When you get your Salifert kits, come back if you have any questions.

 

[Billybeau1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11737499#post11737499 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jpndave
That seems about right with my kit as well. A "good" batch of Reef Crystals measures about 350 and the bad ones in the 200s. So, I should be able to use up the Seachem by just "adding" about 70 to the calcium # and then replace the kit with a salifert or something else. What about for ph, alk, mag, and the rest of the testing. Is salifert safe for all? I have a digital ph meter but lack the 10 reference to set it up plus would like a back up test just to be sure. I have a marine basic and advanced from seachem which is probably good enough for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate as they have been zero for a long time.

All ok except the pH. I find Saliferts pH kit difficult to read. API is much better for that.

 

[Billybeau1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11738842#post11738842 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kstallbe
Okay, I think now I'm more confused. Which Calc tests are reliable?

API, Elos, LaMotte and Salifert should give you good results for calcium.

 

[kstallbe]

Thanks for the help, good looking out.

 

[Billybeau1]

:thumbsup:

 

[EddieJ]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11739156#post11739156 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Billybeau1
Eddie
<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>

I don't mention Hagen kits because I do not care for them. I've gotten poor results in the past and just quite using them.

When you get your Salifert kits, come back if you have any questions.

I am not defending Hagen at all, but the Nitrate kit reads the same as the Salifert nitrate kit. Not that it means much since it is a very small sample size. Wouldn't you put the Hagen in the same class as the API kits? I am looking forward to the new Salifert kits getting here.. Thanks for the reply

 

[Icefire]

I used Hagen at first until I got to a point of loosing coral.

I bought an elos and while I had 9dkh with hagen, I really had 4.5dkh with elos and confirmed with API.

Hagen are junk for saltwater, and borderline for freshwater imo

 

[Billybeau1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11757253#post11757253 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EddieJ
Wouldn't you put the Hagen in the same class as the API kits?

Not even close.

Don't be fooled by API's price. General results and accurate.

The Hagens I tested were all over the place. Not even close.

 

[benf]

Billy,
Did u use regular Seachem or the Seachem Reef Status kits? Was told the Status kits are very accurate and include calibration fluids for what its worth.

 

[Billybeau1]

Reef Status.

Not accurate. Nor are the calibration fluids. The calibration fluids match the test kit but do not match other kits.