test kit brand?

[shino380]

been awhile since I have been in the hobby, i need to get a basic test kit to start up a tank (sps lps fish) again from scratch.

Is there any test kit brand that is generally better than others? or any brands I should stay away from?

 

[Allmost]

just my opinion, based on my experience.

stay away from API.

KH elos or hanna.
CA++ elos or hanna
mg elos or red sea
no3 salifert
po4 hanna.
K+ wait for new salifert.

 

[nanojg]

I like the red sea pro for calc, alk, and mag

 

[shifty51008]

why stay away from API? they have a good test for ammonia, alk, and cal. they won't read down to.5 and such but thats ok for most and they read just the same as salifert and elos.

however for p04 go with the hanna checkers
nitrate - elos or salifert
mag - salifert

never used red sea so I can't say with their test kits.

 

[Lynxone]

I like salifert for calcium mag and alk.

 

[maxx56dog]

im a red sea fan, easy to use and read

 

[shino380]

so from the sounds of it, you guys prefer getting each test separately rather than getting a kit that has multiple tests included.. thanks for the info guys

 

[SWKustoms]

I used api for all but mag(salifert). I just used the salifert cal and alk and the readings are within my api kits.

 

[dlp211]

Red Sea kit for Alk, Ca, Mg.
Salifert for NO3
Hanna for PO4
Seachem Alert Badge for NH3

 

[Garage1217]

I have used with great success for many years...
- API for calcium, fast and easy to use. Also consistent and around $12
- API for alk, VERY fast to use. Very consistent and around $6-$7
- Salifert for mag, very consistent, not that fast to use. Generally around $35-$45

In the very rare occasion I have to check for phosphates or nitrates, I use API. Not decimal point accuracy but accurate enough that I know if I have a problem or not.

No idea why the above said to stay away from API. Years of successful SPS farming and beautiful tanks say otherwise.