Test Kits

[Crackem]

I use hanna for alk which is extremely simple. I use Hanna for po4 which is the biggest pain for me. I can't stand that the reagents come in packets that make it very difficult to get all the powder out of. If you follow the directions it says to use only one vial while doing the test but if your not fast enough the Hanna tester will shutoff after 2 min and you will have to start over. My directions say to shake the vial for 2 min which I still don't understand cause that will guarantee the unit shuts off, so instead I use 2 vials for testing.
I use salifert for alk,ca,mag, and nitrates.

 

[mlivvy]

I like this for cal/alk/mg..

and this for po4..

and this for no3..

And it works out great. :thumbsup:

 

[Joshporksandwic]

hanna for phos
salifert for everything else

 

[Zobp]

Just wanted to post my comparison since I have been using Salifert for such a long time now and gave red sea a try.

I will not be going back to salifert to say the least I was overly impressed with the quality, ease, and organization of the red sea kit. Everything was color coded and simple to read instructions as pictures. Nearly made it idiot proof to make a mistake.

The titrator alone made this much better than salifert hands down. No mess easy and clean. All 3 test kits fit in a nice hard shell plastic box, with laminated cards for showing readings.

Comparing them together I would give the red sea 9.5/10 and salifert a 7/10 when comparing the two. The only thing I didn't like about the red sea kit was I wish there were more secured place holders for the bottles so repacking was easier and neater.

 

[Whiterabbitrage]

I used API at first, but kept hearing hearing how much more accurate Salifert is. I compared them and was left wondering. Calcium tested at 340 with API but at 450 with Salifert. So I switched all my tests to Salifert. I tested Iodine at 0.0 when I got the kit. So I dosed with Lugols. Next day Iodine still tested at 0.0 so I dosed again. When Iodine was still 0.0 and Iodate was only 0.01 I sent away for a Red Sea kit. With that the Iodine tested over 0.09! So I use multiple kits now since I have developed trust issues. I will say that at least Red Sea gives you a quality control check to be sure the reagents are accurate. Haven't seen anyone else do that.

 

[neoonex]

So, from the responses it seems like using more than one test kit is best, but at least now I know which ones to use, lol.

That is, until Thrive Aquatics comes out with the "all-in-one" 'Water Lab' testing machine set to be released late summer 2013: http://thriveaquatics.com/products/thrive-water-lab.html. Check it out. (I am in no way affiliated with Thrive Aquatics I just think its a cool idea to have an "all in one" test machine like this).
Given that LFS pick them up and the machine is accurate with the results and solutions. This would be the easiest and best solution to our water testing problms. I guess we'll see.

Thanks guys.

 

[Zobp]

So, from the responses it seems like using more than one test kit is best, but at least now I know which ones to use, lol.

That is, until Thrive Aquatics comes out with the "all-in-one" 'Water Lab' testing machine set to be released late summer 2013: http://thriveaquatics.com/products/thrive-water-lab.html. Check it out. (I am in no way affiliated with Thrive Aquatics I just think its a cool idea to have an "all in one" test machine like this).
Given that LFS pick them up and the machine is accurate with the results and solutions. This would be the easiest and best solution to our water testing problms. I guess we'll see.

Thanks guys.

I cannot imagine the price tag for a machine like that unless the company has an agreement with the LFS to stock their product and just pay for maintenance fees. Interesting idea but I don't see it panning out. I haven't ever seen their products at any of my local LFS not sure about the Mia area.

 

[gatoralum69]

From what I hear it costs LFS about 1K to rent a month. And they have to sell Thrive products. I bet that they will require LFS to sell certain quantity of product and also test results and way to fix will all be relative to thrive products. Just me guessing.

 

[cadugauch]

From what I hear it costs LFS about 1K to rent a month. And they have to sell Thrive products. I bet that they will require LFS to sell certain quantity of product and also test results and way to fix will all be relative to thrive products. Just me guessing.

It would be at least cool to see if it works and how accurate it is!

 

[neoonex]

I've only seen one LFS in my area that carries Thrive Aquatics Products, o maybe they'll invest.

From what I hear it costs LFS about 1K to rent a month. And they have to sell Thrive products. I bet that they will require LFS to sell certain quantity of product and also test results and way to fix will all be relative to thrive products. Just me guessing.

 

[neoonex]

+1

it would be at least cool to see if it works and how accurate it is!

 

[Madehtsobi]

I asked this question on our local forum as well... most use hanna and red sea and salifert

I had salifert but wanted to double check So i ordered some hanna got my Hanna checkers in...

Hanna reads
CA 350... Did it twice too
Alk 90=5.4..

Salifert
CA 450
Alk 8.6

I'm even more confused than ever now.....

 

[Zobp]

I asked this question on our local forum as well... most use hanna and red sea and salifert

I had salifert but wanted to double check So i ordered some hanna got my Hanna checkers in...

Hanna reads
CA 350... Did it twice too
Alk 90=5.4..

Salifert
CA 450
Alk 8.6

I'm even more confused than ever now.....

Hanna checkers for Calcium and Alk are not the best, their error percentage is high. Hanna only has a good PO4 checker.

 

[Madehtsobi]

I did the Hanna test twice too then did the check using salifert.

 

[gatoralum69]

Hanna checkers for Calcium and Alk are not the best, their error percentage is high. Hanna only has a good PO4 checker.

Well I disagree with the Alk...I have tested using Salifert, Red Sea, and Hanna and all are within range.. +-.5 For instance Sailfert might have read 9, Read Sea 10 and Hanna 9.5. Now the Ca that is a whole other ballgame...to me that one really stinks.

 

[Zobp]

What I should say is that the hanna checkers do not show a true or more accurate reading. I would not follow a hanna checkers calicum reading.

 

[gatoralum69]

What I should say is that the hanna checkers do not show a true or more accurate reading. I would not follow a hanna checkers calicum reading.

+1 there...CA really stinks and I have emailed them about it. of course no reply lol

 

[Madehtsobi]

I'm just wondering how can my alk different by like 3.xx??

And ca is off by 100ppm? Wow feel like I just wasted $50

 

[Zobp]

I remember reading somewhere the calcium reader had a 15% error margin for accuracy now I can only seem to find 6% :shrugs:

 

[Madehtsobi]

Geez... Wonder if I can return it