Water Testing Help

[jonto]

Hi folks. I have the Red Sea Marine Care Test Kit. It seems to work fine for the basic things (Amonia, Nitrite, Nitrate) The kH and pH are very lacking, can't read the pH colorations. I have the Milwalkee digital for Salinity and a Hanna Digital for Phosphate.
Are the Salifert test kits the best for Calcium, Alkalinity and Magnesium. I also want to get a digital ph meter, they're not too expensive.
Is this the best rout to go?
Thanks
Jim

 

[Xxero]

Personally, I prefer to use the Red Sea kits for Calcium and Magnesium, and I use a digital Hanna Checker for Alkalinity.

I get the same results with the Salifert tests, but I like the Red Sea's kits and procedures. I don't pay any attention to pH. :bigeyes:

 

[mal7887]

Are the Salifert test kits the best for Calcium, Alkalinity and Magnesium.
Jim

I've trusted Salifert test kits for years without any issues. They are great at getting you a precise reading.

 

[billdogg]

I've trusted Salifert test kits for years without any issues. They are great at getting you a precise reading.

^^^This^^^

I find them to be reasonably priced, easy to use, and they give very repeatable results. When testing Magnesium, follow the instructions carefully for the best results

I have not tested pH in a couple decades. The very last thing you want to do in a marine tank is to start chasing it. You will end up adding way to much of whatever to reach your target and will invariably throw off the numbers on what is actually important - Calcium and Alkalinity.

 

[JTL]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2558208

 

[Xxxtremewv]

I really like my hanna checker for phosphates, and that seems to be the answer for alk also. Think ill be sucking it up in the next couple weeks and getting the hanna alk too.