What type of test kits

[Firesole]

I am considering purchasing a new master test kit. The API kit that I currently have doesn't instill a whole lot of confidence in me. I often question it's results and sometimes its just hard to differentiate where my test tube colors are compared to the reference cards. Not sure if it matters or not but I am using the style that includes the 5ml test tubes and add drops for the tests.

What test kits do you use? How do you like them? Where did you get them and how much did it cost?

 

[sassafrass]

I prefer salifert bvecause they change from one color to a completly different color they range from $20 to$25 each they can be purchased online or at reef stores

 

[stingythingy45]

API make some good reliable test kits.
Salifert.....well.......the quality has been lacking for the last year or so.
Especially the Alk test kits.
Hearing good things about Elos.

 

[will16]

I use API and Salifert. The API is faster and not as accurate but the good news is when testing back to back, the API is really not that much off from the Salifert. The Salifert is more precise meaning you will get a reading of 8.7 instead of ... somewhere between 8 and 9 on the API. I've found that calc on the api is generally 20 lower then what I get on the Salifert (420 vs 440).

 

[SCIFI_3D_zoo]

I've been screwed too many times with API and Red Sea kits. I only use Salifert now. I tried a Lamotte ALK but didn't care for it much. If a Ca test is off a bit... so what. Won't hurt much. But don't mess around with Salinity, pH, Alk... then stuff like Mg, Ca. I have 2 diff. API kits (one master reef, one not) and they were off. You might also want to buy some calibration fluids to verify a kit. Salifert ALK comes with one. But seriously... don't use kits for some of those. Get a good pH monitor, a refractometer (throw away your swingarm).

 

[sps1-2-b]

Currently using Elos and loving it. Easy and reliable. Gave up on Salifert.

 

[sjm817]

I've used Salifert and API. I like the API. Easy to use and the price is right. Accuracy is very close to the Salifert, but not as granular.

 

[mg426]

I use Salifert.

 

[crvz]

I've always enjoyed my salifert line of kits.

 

[SCIFI_3D_zoo]

Well ... there you go. No consensus. Some kits just aren't very good. API Mg kept telling me it was 1500+, both API kits. Via salifert and Mg calib. it was 1250. Pretty big diff. pH is a hard one to tell sometimes with those color charts. I hear all brands aren't very good when it comes to pH anyway. You should have a monitor anyway. ALK is another one of those... API has this crazy color chart, Red Sea too. I couldn't tell anything from those and ALK is important to know. Salifert is much more precise. Don't know about Elos. My problem with Lamotte ALK was, it is alot more $$, but I guess it's European? b/c everything was in meq/L and I'm really use to dKH. It gave me diff. #'s that the Salifert and I verifed Salifert with a calib. fluid. I do like the lid they have for the vial with a hole for the syringe. THis allows you do add drops and shake it easy without splashing. Nice idea.

I tell you.. I think we all end up with a junkyard full of unused, discarded equipment. I'm looking at $100 right at my feet of stuff I don't want now. I guess you'll never really know the answer for yourself on this question till you try it all... then you'll have been there and done that. API is cheap.. but you know.. get what you pay for.