Test Kit Recommendations

smalls383 · 02/08/2008, 05:03 PM

Can a few of ya make some recommendations for a reef tank test kits.....something somewhat AFFORDABLE!!!

Thanks

mdbv25 · 02/08/2008, 05:18 PM

Salifert have been o.k, but lately some reefers have been having issues..

Elos is good among reefers... some prefer over Salifert when comparing readings

I like Tropic Marin.... it's a drop method and so far has been the closest for acuracy...

They all cost relatively the same...

Stay away from Red Sea..

Also for acuracy I liked the Dr. Foster Master Test Kit...

Good luck

Michael

smalls383 · 02/08/2008, 05:44 PM

Really.....you dont like the Red Sea? That was the one that I was thinking of buying. Why did you not like it? $26...

bertoni · 02/08/2008, 06:21 PM

I had to return my Red Sea test kits due to inaccuracy. That problem seems common to them due to the liquid reagent design.

API test kits also get good reviews.

LovinDaReef · 02/08/2008, 06:29 PM

I got an API reef master test kit for 35 bucks. So far it works good I suppose, hasn't given any bad readings. Pricey though.

xenon · 02/08/2008, 06:35 PM

Elos all the way

Salifert is dead in my opinion.

FranktheTankTx · 02/08/2008, 06:39 PM

API is a good test set. I recommend checking the date on the bottom though. Get something taht hasn't been sitting on the shelf forever, no matter what you buy.

If I were you, I would get an API Reef Master (Ca, Nitrate, PH, Alk) can't remember if it has PO4 or not? Then get a Elos Mg test and you're covered.

Don't waste your money on Ammonia and Nitrite tests. Once you're past the cycle you won't ever really need them... waste of money. Goto a LFS after a few weeks and let them test the water for the cycle.

The $35 for the API reef master is cheap... as the Elos Mg test kit is about the same price for one kit. So $75 should cover you.
If you purchase Elos or Salifert individual kits you could wind up paying $150-200. Waste of money!! Besides, you are probably going to replace your test kits almost yearly for accuracy concerns.

smalls383 · 02/08/2008, 06:44 PM

Great!!! thanks for all the detailed info...

FranktheTankTx · 02/08/2008, 06:45 PM

^^^ Correction... API Reef Master has Ca, Nitrate, PO4 and Alk.

If you have a PH monitor, you don't need to test for PH. Otherwise, the API PH test is fine too.

And Marine Depot sells the API kit for $28. Very affordable.

Diver4life · 02/08/2008, 07:03 PM

API test kit A++++++++++++++++++++++

stingythingy45 · 02/08/2008, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LovinDaReef
I got an API reef master test kit for 35 bucks. So far it works good I suppose, hasn't given any bad readings. Pricey though.

I second this.
Best kit for the $$$$.
And actually pretty darn accurate also.

02/08/2008, 05:03 PM	#1
smalls383 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Saratoga, CA Posts: 483	Test Kit Recommendations Can a few of ya make some recommendations for a reef tank test kits.....something somewhat AFFORDABLE!!! Thanks

02/08/2008, 05:18 PM	#2
mdbv25 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: MASS Posts: 62	Salifert have been o.k, but lately some reefers have been having issues.. Elos is good among reefers... some prefer over Salifert when comparing readings I like Tropic Marin.... it's a drop method and so far has been the closest for acuracy... They all cost relatively the same... Stay away from Red Sea.. Also for acuracy I liked the Dr. Foster Master Test Kit... Good luck Michael __________________ No longer reefing... "Don't make a fish suffer because your wallet is light" Current Tank Info: None

02/08/2008, 06:21 PM	#4
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I had to return my Red Sea test kits due to inaccuracy. That problem seems common to them due to the liquid reagent design. API test kits also get good reviews. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

02/08/2008, 06:39 PM	#7
FranktheTankTx Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 2,306	API is a good test set. I recommend checking the date on the bottom though. Get something taht hasn't been sitting on the shelf forever, no matter what you buy. If I were you, I would get an API Reef Master (Ca, Nitrate, PH, Alk) can't remember if it has PO4 or not? Then get a Elos Mg test and you're covered. Don't waste your money on Ammonia and Nitrite tests. Once you're past the cycle you won't ever really need them... waste of money. Goto a LFS after a few weeks and let them test the water for the cycle. The $35 for the API reef master is cheap... as the Elos Mg test kit is about the same price for one kit. So $75 should cover you. If you purchase Elos or Salifert individual kits you could wind up paying $150-200. Waste of money!! Besides, you are probably going to replace your test kits almost yearly for accuracy concerns. __________________ Frank the Tank "What, I thought we were in the trust tree... in the nest? Are we not?" Current Tank Info: Custom Rimless 60g (30.5"x24.5"x18.5")

02/08/2008, 06:45 PM	#9
FranktheTankTx Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 2,306	^^^ Correction... API Reef Master has Ca, Nitrate, PO4 and Alk. If you have a PH monitor, you don't need to test for PH. Otherwise, the API PH test is fine too. And Marine Depot sells the API kit for $28. Very affordable. __________________ Frank the Tank "What, I thought we were in the trust tree... in the nest? Are we not?" Current Tank Info: Custom Rimless 60g (30.5"x24.5"x18.5")

02/08/2008, 05:44 PM	#3
smalls383 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Saratoga, CA Posts: 483	Really.....you dont like the Red Sea? That was the one that I was thinking of buying. Why did you not like it? $26...

02/08/2008, 06:29 PM	#5
LovinDaReef Moved On Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 267	I got an API reef master test kit for 35 bucks. So far it works good I suppose, hasn't given any bad readings. Pricey though.

02/08/2008, 06:35 PM	#6
xenon Owner of Canada Corals Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mississauga, Canada Posts: 3,148	Elos all the way Salifert is dead in my opinion.

02/08/2008, 06:44 PM	#8
smalls383 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Saratoga, CA Posts: 483	Great!!! thanks for all the detailed info...

02/08/2008, 07:03 PM	#10
Diver4life Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Pembroke Pines FL Posts: 482	API test kit A++++++++++++++++++++++ __________________ We are the minority but we are a proud specie! (Scuba Divers 4 life). Current Tank Info: 90 gal, 110 lb LR, 90 lb LS, 29 gal sump/fuge, ASM G1 skimmer, Mag 9 return pump, solar xtreme 48'' T5, Koralias 1400, Reefkeeper Lite Plus.