Seeking for potassium test kit

[bookey]

Hello All,

Can someone recommend on good (reliable and friendly) test kit for potassium ?

Thanx in advance.

 

[disc1]

(reliable and friendly)

I'm not sure those two words really go with potassium tests. They are one of the harder tests to do.

 

[bertoni]

I haven't seen any reviews of easy to use potassium kits yet.

 

[coralreefdoc]

KZ makes an excellent potassium kit. Not the easiest to get but from a very reputable company, nonetheless, especially when it comes to ULNS components

 

[Lynnmw1208]

Red sea has one. I've never used it but it seems to have good reviews on BRS. http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/products/test-kits/red-sea-test-kits/red-sea-potassium-pro-test-kit.html

 

[bertoni]

The Red Sea kit did get some good reviews. It's very new, though, so I'd consider it a bit experimental. I don't think it's easy to use, but it is a titration test without a visual estimation step.

 

[Whitebeam]

+1 for Red Sea as it has a clear endpoint. It's an awfully long and involved test though.

Peter

 

[chercm]

KZ makes an excellent potassium kit. Not the easiest to get but from a very reputable company, nonetheless, especially when it comes to ULNS components

it is very hard to read

 

[tmz]

There were a number of reviews on the KZ, a while ago, which cited consistently low readings. I have not tried the Red Sea but it looks promising .

 

[snorvich]

I haven't seen any reviews of easy to use potassium kits yet.

Exactly. I tried two different brands and gave up.

 

[bookey]

Thank you all.
Ok, not friendly, but reliable ?

 

[DeathWish302]

The Red Sea kit did get some good reviews. It's very new, though, so I'd consider it a bit experimental. I don't think it's easy to use, but it is a titration test without a visual estimation step.

I would say I have received very repeatable results, so it appears to be an accurate method of testing. I have no idea on the precision of the kit, as I really don't care the exact K ppm concentration. I'm using it more as a dosing tool for K supplement.

Next to my iodide/iodate test, the K test takes the longest at nearly 12-15min.

I would say questionable on overall reliability and definitely not as easy as an alk or pH test.

 

[bertoni]

Well, being repeatable is very good, but it's not the same as accurate. Determining accuracy would be expensive, unfortunately, and the quality of the kits might change over various batches. Still, the Red Sea kit is the one I'd try first if I wanted to measure potassium.

 

[radiata]

I have both the KZ and the Red Sea. I prefer the Red Sea, although it does take some getting used to and also takes about 20 minutes to complete a test. I think the KZ is too fuzzy to read consistently and reliably.

 

[DeathWish302]

Well, being repeatable is very good, but it's not the same as accurate. Determining accuracy would be expensive, unfortunately, and the quality of the kits might change over various batches. Still, the Red Sea kit is the one I'd try first if I wanted to measure potassium.

+1

I understand the vocab differences for repeatability, accuracy & precision. Unfortunately I follow the trend that Randy spoke of many years ago about measuring for a range, not for exact values. ANY hobby grade kit is at best +/-5% of the real value IMO when considering the accuracy over many samples of varying batches.

When someone asks about a test kit, they should realize that every test kit for $4-$80 is only to verify the baseline value in a range and should be used accordingly.

Would I spend more than $35 for a K test kit at this point?.... Not a chance. Would I buy a Red Sea again?...Absolutely. Good color change simple steps and no voodoo needed to determine an endpoint.

 

[tmz]

Frank, A little off topic but what Iodine test are you using.? Looking for one that works.

 

[DeathWish302]

Frank, A little off topic but what Iodine test are you using.? Looking for one that works.

I'm using Salifert for now, as it has been ok. It can detect when I add a few drops of the Brightwell Iodion.

I won the Salifert in frag swap and Chris donated some chemicals to the club I was part in PA last year, so I didn't spend a penny on either. I have tried so many tests in the past that I was really apprehensive of Red Sea with their new Pro line. After experience with the Mg and K kits, ELOS and Salifert can pi$$ off next time it's time to buy IMO.

 

[tmz]

I can't get a reading out of the Salifert unless I add iodide right to the sample. I doubt my iodine is that low. Thanks for the reply.

 

[this is me]

I've used both KZ and Red Sea. KZ was used less than 5 times and went into the trash. How the heck can anyone read this thing!
The Red Sea is by far the most easiest to get results. The testing process is a long process but the most important thing is that you can can the result at the end. I only use the Red Sea and it's easy to dial in my K level.

 

[hkgar]

I've used both KZ and Red Sea. KZ was used less than 5 times and went into the trash. How the heck can anyone read this thing!
The Red Sea is by far the most easiest to get results. The testing process is a long process but the most important thing is that you can can the result at the end. I only use the Red Sea and it's easy to dial in my K level.

What level K do you maintain?