Test kits

[Lacy]

I thought there was a tread on this not to long ago, but I can't find it. I want to start testing my water and I want to buy new test kits. The ones I liked the best were Salifert and NatuReef. What do you like for ease of testing? Do you use different kits for different parameters?
TIA

 

[Manfredo]

I use Salifert (Alk, Ca, Mg) and have had no issues. I was using Hanna for Alk but with the recent reagent issues it now just sits idle. I also use Hanna ULR for Phosphate

 

[rovster]

I like salifert for most. The only one that's easy for me to read though is the alk because of my colorblindness. I also use the Hanna ULR for phosphate. I USED to like Hanna for alk, but I quit that a while back.

The red sea kits seem to be popular, but based on my limited experience they are somewhat complex and are a bit of a PITA to carry out. I've tried the Alk and didn't like it, and I have their K+ kit which is a real PITA.

 

[jdantunes]

I use Salifert for Nitrates, Alkalinity, Calcium & Magnesium. IMO this tests kits are accurate and simple enough for our use. I can understand that could be a problem if you suffer from color blindness, but Alk, Cal & Mag tests solutions change from blue to red or red to blue, making it very easy to distinguish for a more accured reading.

I use API pH once a month just to make sure my probe is not giving me false readings.

And use Hanna Checker for Phosphates.

 

[rovster]

Cal and Mag are difficult with colorblindness. That cannot be argued......I've done the "research".....

 

[Lacy]

I decided to just stick with Salifert. Luckily I don't have any color blindness. I was just wondering if there was something faster besides the digital ones. I hate testing. :hammer:


Thanks everyone.

 

[rovster]

Honestly the digital ones are not any faster, what I like about it was it spit out a number. Numbers are black and white. Great with colorblindness. It takes me less than a minute to check my alk with Salifert. Was about the same with my Hanna checker. If you get a lot of practice, you get good at it!

 

[Lacy]

Honestly the digital ones are not any faster, what I like about it was it spit out a number. Numbers are black and white. Great with colorblindness. It takes me less than a minute to check my alk with Salifert. Was about the same with my Hanna checker. If you get a lot of practice, you get good at it!

It's not that I need the practice, I used to work for an aquaculture place where I did the testing. If it took 10 seconds I would still hate it. :fish1:

 

[nivram]

Sounds like mastermind or whatever it was called is what you need :

I just bought alk refills for my Hanna. Going to see if they got it right

 

[AquamanE]

I use Salifert (Alk, Ca, Mg) and have had no issues. I was using Hanna for Alk but with the recent reagent issues it now just sits idle. I also use Hanna ULR for Phosphate

I agree on all with manfredo and for the same reasons. IDE add nitrate to Salifert list.