Which ALK test kit ???

TandN · 04/23/2007, 07:34 PM

Well for ever I have used salifert. But now im hearing alot of stories that there 2.5 dkh off from lamottes. Which ones right ???????????????????

drstupid · 04/23/2007, 09:07 PM

so i've got a lamotte alk kit i do not trust... last summer i got it and a lamotte calcium kit from MD, the alk kit never read higher than 8 dkh, the calcium kit always read ridiculously high even with repeated tests. i expect they both expired on the shelf.

salifert seems more reliable over time. whenever i question my results, i borrow kits from friends and test multiple times.

on the plus side, the lamotte kit's very easy to use... just drop in a tablet, shake, and start dripping. and the hardware they give you is very nice. but i don't think it has a shelf life useful to a hobbyist or anyone retailing to a hobbyist.

cabowabo · 04/23/2007, 09:25 PM

I have tested alk and calcium at same time with salifert and lamotte repeatedly and they were never close. Calcium was always almost double high w/ Lamotte but at ~420 and Salifert~240. The funny thing is these two are supposed to be the best kits available. I assumed the reality was in the middle. I have learned to be happy if my PH is stable, corals look good and rock is purple no matter what these useless test kits say! I use coraline growth as the true indicator of calc, and PH stability as indicator of alk being correct.
Whats up with the air pocket in the syringe tip with Salifert calcium tests. They say it's factored in at reading but I could never get comfortable with that.
Only hair algae and cyano stress me out more than these stupid test kits we are stuck with !!

TandN · 04/24/2007, 05:57 PM

the air bubble makes up for the needle point that you add on to it. Im hearing from alot of people the same exact thing. So what do you use now !!!

drstupid · 04/25/2007, 05:38 AM

salifert for everything that i test (calcium, alk, mag and occasionally no3)

04/23/2007, 07:34 PM	#1
TandN Registered Member. Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: NYC Posts: 2,009	Which ALK test kit ??? Well for ever I have used salifert. But now im hearing alot of stories that there 2.5 dkh off from lamottes. Which ones right ???????????????????

04/23/2007, 09:07 PM	#2
drstupid Aquarist emeritus Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Narberth, PA Posts: 760	so i've got a lamotte alk kit i do not trust... last summer i got it and a lamotte calcium kit from MD, the alk kit never read higher than 8 dkh, the calcium kit always read ridiculously high even with repeated tests. i expect they both expired on the shelf. salifert seems more reliable over time. whenever i question my results, i borrow kits from friends and test multiple times. on the plus side, the lamotte kit's very easy to use... just drop in a tablet, shake, and start dripping. and the hardware they give you is very nice. but i don't think it has a shelf life useful to a hobbyist or anyone retailing to a hobbyist. __________________ i'm not a real doctor, i just play one on tv. Current Tank Info: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2429266

04/25/2007, 05:38 AM	#5
drstupid Aquarist emeritus Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Narberth, PA Posts: 760	salifert for everything that i test (calcium, alk, mag and occasionally no3) __________________ i'm not a real doctor, i just play one on tv. Current Tank Info: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2429266

04/23/2007, 09:25 PM	#3
cabowabo Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 248	I have tested alk and calcium at same time with salifert and lamotte repeatedly and they were never close. Calcium was always almost double high w/ Lamotte but at ~420 and Salifert~240. The funny thing is these two are supposed to be the best kits available. I assumed the reality was in the middle. I have learned to be happy if my PH is stable, corals look good and rock is purple no matter what these useless test kits say! I use coraline growth as the true indicator of calc, and PH stability as indicator of alk being correct. Whats up with the air pocket in the syringe tip with Salifert calcium tests. They say it's factored in at reading but I could never get comfortable with that. Only hair algae and cyano stress me out more than these stupid test kits we are stuck with !!

04/24/2007, 05:57 PM	#4
TandN Registered Member. Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: NYC Posts: 2,009	the air bubble makes up for the needle point that you add on to it. Im hearing from alot of people the same exact thing. So what do you use now !!!