Test Kit difference

F

fernalfer

New member
So i get such a different reading between 2 different test kits

NITRATES

API Test Kit - 80ppm

Red Sea Test Kit - 20ppm

Now which one do i go with?
 
I'm not real crazy about either test. They both have the one bottle you have to shake like crazy to make sure it's mixed well before using. The red sea "pro" version, though, is really good. It also has low and high range tests and I've had no issues with it.
 
How does everything look? If it's a new tank variations are normal, but if it's been set up for awhile and everything looks good, well, ;)
 
I switched a couple of weeks ago to Red Sea pro and then tested and took samples to LFS (he tested via salifert) and Red Sea pro was vey close while ApI was off by A LOT!


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Just can't justify buying a 3rd kit to get an accurate reading. I'll end up buying salifert and it will read different then my red sea and API and i'll now be left wondering which out of the 3 different readings are correct instead of just left wondering now which out of the 2 kits i have now is more correct.
 
IMHO, for for the early stages of your tank (Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate), red sea is just fine. Certainly close enough. It's not until you get to more demanding creatures (read: corals) that more precise measurements are needed, and by then you won't be testing for Ammonia or Nitrite, and only rarely for Nitrate. You will then graduate to Calcium, Alkalinity, and Magnesium.

And as a side note - if you don't have a refractometer yet, get one, calibrate it, and use it. (less than $50 online) NOTHING likes big swings in salinity.
 
billdogg said:
IMHO, for for the early stages of your tank (Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate), red sea is just fine. Certainly close enough. It's not until you get to more demanding creatures (read: corals) that more precise measurements are needed, and by then you won't be testing for Ammonia or Nitrite, and only rarely for Nitrate. You will then graduate to Calcium, Alkalinity, and Magnesium.

And as a side note - if you don't have a refractometer yet, get one, calibrate it, and use it. (less than $50 online) NOTHING likes big swings in salinity.
Click to expand...

yeah refractometer is one of the first items i bought. It's great love it.
 
Just make sure you use it right... With so many threads regarding bad swing arms it almost makes you think if the hobbyist is on the level or not with that refractometer . ;)
 
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