which test kits are the best?

S

sdietz2469

stickhead n chalice freak
lookin to replace my test kits, and i am wondering which ones are the best?
why are they the best?
where do you get them?

thanks
shane
 
I would not be so bold to say any I use are "the best" but for hobby grade kits, I have the best luck with...

API for Calcium
API for Alk
Saliferts new version Mag kit.

That is all I test for currently.
 
I am happy with the kits from Salifert but their CUSTOMER SERVICE IS NON EXISTENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If I had to grade them, they get an F-! As soon as I use up these rest of my Calc and Alk test kits I am switching to Elos.
 
I have been using Seachem now for about a year, I like them. Easy to read color charts and they have reference regeants to check their accuracy....

I might try some Salifert and see what the hype is all about....

Brad
 
I send monthly samples in to aquariumwatertesting.com. I figure if nothing else they are consistent. I am just not that great at interpreting some color changes. I liked the instant ocean kits when I was still doing my own.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14027738#post14027738 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by spongebob281
sorry api blows...so does salifert...seachem and elos are the best
Click to expand...

So you are telling me perfectly consistent & repeatable calcium, alk and mag readings blow? Boy you have some nuggets to make a claim like that and crown certain brands over others *LOL* Whatever floats your boat.

I can mention that I have owned everything but the elos kits, and I stand by my choices. I still have kits from redsea, seachem & some other company in the cabinet.

The only kit I would advise to stay away from is redsea's mag kit. I really had major issues with it and feel it is not worth the ink that was printed on the box. Many many others feel the same in similar posts like this.

Anyways best of luck to you in your reefing ventures OP!
 
First of all i used Salifert often enough to render them inaccurate to say the least. Their alk test come with a reference sample and it too is a point off. Secondly their CS is non existent
 
ive used api and they dont ''blow" they are accurate, because i test with those and seachem and they are the same maybe not the api calc. but def. the simple parameters
 
salifert and elos are prety much top of the line but pricey, for phosphate the deltec is one of the most acurate comaprable ot hanna meter
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14033504#post14033504 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fisherman2
ive used api and they dont ''blow" they are accurate, because i test with those and seachem and they are the same maybe not the api calc. but def. the simple parameters
Click to expand...

i have 2 API kits and they both yield different results...so much for accuracy
 
lets keep this civil guys....Iam not trying to start a fight here....

I am really leaning toward the La Motte test kits due to the low range reading on NO3,NO2,NH4,PO4, and the accuracy of the CA,kH,and mag.....
anybody use the la motte and think any of the others are better?
shane
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14034551#post14034551 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sdietz2469
lets keep this civil guys....Iam not trying to start a fight here....

I am really leaning toward the La Motte test kits due to the low range reading on NO3,NO2,NH4,PO4, and the accuracy of the CA,kH,and mag.....
anybody use the la motte and think any of the others are better?
shane
Click to expand...

I used to be a supervisor for a very large and successful carwash chain here in Indianapolis. The only test kits we used were La Motte. When I used them they were very easy to use.
 
what about ease of use. i think i remember the la motte alk test being easier then the salifort.
i dread testing so quickness and simplicity wins me over.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14033851#post14033851 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by spongebob281
i have 2 API kits and they both yield different results...so much for accuracy
Click to expand...

So far you have not even specified which kits you own at all, You just say brand names which leads me to believe you are making blanket statements which will lead some to believe you know what you are talking about *LOL* I could be wrong about you, but the simple fact is you have provided zero info or even any slight detailed information as to why you have such a strong opinion.

Each manufacturer have some kits that are better than others. I would not use API's phosphate kit for anything for example. Just pick and choose what you like.

I have gone through around 5-6 of the api calcium test kits, 12-13 of the api alk test kits & 2 of the salifert mag test kits over the years. ALL three mentioned are consistent, repeatable & easy to use.

Also to note, someplace on the net a person or magazine did a large test of different hobby grade kits & posted results. I feel this would be a good thing to post a link to and will try to find it later today.
 
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