Testing

[badinfo]

Im looking to buy an alk and calcium test kit. Can anyone recommend the brand I should buy? I've heard that it makes a huge difference? Don't know if that's true or not.


Thanks for any and all information,
Jason

 

[skidoctor]

I'd say don't get API. Too hard to read and not very accurate in comparison to the LFS. Thought my Ca was over 500, got it checked and was actually 394. Big difference in how to correct.

 

[briangsxr1000]

I use the red sea reef essential. Easy to use and seems to be accurate results.

 

[Bluephish13]

I use the hanna alk checker(no need to guess digital read out), and saliferts for everything else. The hanna may have more initial cost but the refill regents are cheap. Seems consistent i checked 3 times in a row and got the same number. i checked with calibration fluid and it was spot on.

i will also be getting the hanna po4 checker.

I say NO to api as well.

 

[magdelan]

Always go Salifert.

 

[badinfo]

Thanks everyone for your time and advice

 

[SkiFletch]

I'm gonna go against the group here a little. I agree that API's alk test doesn't have the necessary resolution to be useful. It's as accurate as it CAN be, but the lack of resolution sucks. That's especially troubling with alkalinity which is one of the most important portions of chemistry to maintain happy calcerous organisms. So yes, a hannah meter or salifert kits would be reccomended for alk.

For calcium though, I use the API all the time. Sure, it's resolution is only 10ppm, but what do you really need more for? I've tested it against salifert a bunch of times, and both are always within 10ppm of each other. Furthermore, IME, maintaining calcium is the least important piece of reef chemistry. Corals don't care if your calcium is 390 as opposed to 400. They'll care if it's 340 instead of 390, sure, but 10ppm differences which is the resolution of the API kit are meh.

 

[cardiffgiant]

I always use salifert for Ca, Mg, Kh, and NO3. If I test for PO4 I take a water sample to my LFS.

 

[saltyscotsman]

Hi I like salifert always accurate

 

[badinfo]

Thanks guys now I'm more confused then ever hahaha JK !! =)

 

[block head]

Api for calcium. Sailfert for alk. Noobies often get carried away with testing. Your lfs should keep you out of trouble for the first few months. Trying before you buy is a plus. Some are a real pain to use. Some are crap. Id buy one you'll use. Sailfert is good for calcium, kinda overkill IMO. Twice the price,more difficult, slightly more accurate .

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Thanks guys now I'm more confused then ever hahaha JK !! =)

I dip my index finger in the water and taste it.

 

[Conesus_Kid]

Ha!

I use API for alk (is really quick and gets me to the nearest 1 dKH to make sure I'm not having major swings) and Salifert for Ca and Mg, (which I seldom test for).

 

[badinfo]

Great, the Salifert Ca costs more then the stinking Alk. !

 

[badinfo]

The reason I want to test these is because I want to start dosing these for buffering. Don't dose for anything you can't test for right? B-Ionic here I come ! Thanks again for all the info

 

[captcha]

for better result.. bring to the labs, lol.

 

[block head]

Its your tank. Dosing \ testing are a good combo. Ballpark numbers are good enough for the girls i date. I never have had to have an exact Ca level. I'm pretty lazy about testing. Under 40g and swings and fuzzy numbers are part of the game. Weekly api should keep you out of trouble. Checking your results with lfs or hobbyists is good idea. 10$ ? I ,d spend money on a refractometer first.

 

[badinfo]

First things I purchased when I decided to go saltwater was a bucket of reef crystals and a refractometer . Thanks tho for your advice.

 

[tmz]

I've tried a number of them and strongly prefer Salifert for calcium and alkalinity.