Test kit advice

johno4

johno4

New member
Hey everyone, I have come to realize that the API suff I have been using stinks. Im looking to get new test kits for Alk, Ca, and Magnesium. I currently debating between Red Sea and Salifert. Would love to here your opinions on which and why before I purchase. I was told the Red sea kits are a pain to use but would like to more opinions.

Thanks
John.
 
I don't mind the Red Sea, about the same amount of work. I would say the Hanna for all is worth it


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The problem with Hanna is the price. Its just not in my budget. I can get all three test in either other brand for the price of 1 Hanna test. After all these years, still reefin on a budget :(
 
Sailifert. Great tests, my only problem is the box they come in sucks, little pieces fall out, so I have to tape up all the seams, but the actual tests are good.
 
I used the Salifert and the Red Sea Pro. I prefer the Red Sea mainly for the nice plastic box and the cards are water proof. I also think the Red Sea Pro kits are easier to read. But if I was stuck I would use either. Can't go wrong.
 
Brs has a nice video breaking down the pros and cons of each. I'm switching over to red Sea. I have older salfert. Red Sea combo kit looks nice
 
block head, thanks for posting about the BRS video. After watching that video I am leaning towards the Red Sea Foundation combo kit.
 
I use red sea due to ease of interpretation of the results with replacement reagent kits over time it turned out to be much cheaper in the long run
 
I started out with the Red Sea Marine and Pro kits. However, in hindsight I wish I would have bought the Hanna Kh and CA checkers from the beginning. Yes, the cost more but trust me it'll be well worth it in the long run. I've also recently added the Hanna Ph checker and that's been really helpful at reading the results more accurately.
 
johno4 said:
The problem with Hanna is the price. Its just not in my budget. I can get all three test in either other brand for the price of 1 Hanna test. After all these years, still reefin on a budget :(
Click to expand...



Sorry, just for the alk is it worth it, not all. Maybe Ca. Stupid autocorrect. You can usually find a used reader for 20-30 online and the refills are dead cheap


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I thought the same thing about price at first but if your one of those people that hate doubting whether or not your reading a test right or not - save up and get some hanna checkers.

In the meantime i would get salifert (although I dont own them Ive heard good things).

Personally I wouldnt get Red Sea. That was my second kit (after API) and i hate it. It was almost expired right away and even the replacements the color chart makes it hard to tell when to stop. My magnesium always reads off the charts.

Just my opinion but if I had to do over i would start with a cheaper kit like salifert and slowly replace with Hanna as I could afford. Phosphourous, then ALK, etc.

P.S. I also highly recommend a refractometer ($20) and digital PH sensor ($15).
 
hann1bal said:
I thought the same thing about price at first but if your one of those people that hate doubting whether or not your reading a test right or not - save up and get some hanna checkers.

In the meantime i would get salifert (although I dont own them Ive heard good things).

Personally I wouldnt get Red Sea. That was my second kit (after API) and i hate it. It was almost expired right away and even the replacements the color chart makes it hard to tell when to stop. My magnesium always reads off the charts.

Just my opinion but if I had to do over i would start with a cheaper kit like salifert and slowly replace with Hanna as I could afford. Phosphourous, then ALK, etc.

P.S. I also highly recommend a refractometer ($20) and digital PH sensor ($15).
Click to expand...

I don't doubt my ability to read the results, I doubt the API test itself lol

All three test (alk, Ca, Mg) for salifert are only a few dollars cheaper than Redsea so between those I just wanted to get a perspective on which people prefer as price wise they are close.

Hanna would be ideal but I need new test soon as dosing with inaccurate tests is not fun and I just dont have the funds for all Hanna right now.
 
I wanted to update this. Thank you for everyone's response. After watching the BRS video I did end up getting the Red Sea Reef Foundation test kit which includes dKh, Ca, and Mg. I am really happy with it, I like the one handed titrator it came with.

Readings as of now are dKH 8.4, Ca 430 ppm and Mg 1360 ppm

I am using kalk in my topoff so this has been pretty stable without much dosing the last week and a half. I ordered a WP 25 with controller that should be in within a week. Fingers crossed that I will see some growth. If I don't see some positive results by Xmas with more flow and steady water parameters than new lights will be a gift for me this Xmas. My t5 bulbs will be 12 months old in February, so instead of 4 new bulbs Im thinking about switching to LED, we will see.

Thanks again everyone.
 
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