Test Kits

fltt · 07/15/2008, 03:29 PM

Just want to see what test kits we are all using for
1. Calcium
2. PH
3. Kh
4. Phosphate
5. Natrate
6. Nitrite
7. Ammonia
The good the bad and the ugly.

areze · 07/15/2008, 03:43 PM

I ponied up and bought all of the above in salifert test kits for my new setup.

I hope to not be disappointed... suckers cost me a fortune.

jph · 07/15/2008, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by fltt
Just want to see what test kits we are all using for
1. Calcium
2. PH
3. Kh
4. Phosphate
5. Natrate
6. Nitrite
7. Ammonia
The good the bad and the ugly.

1) Ca: elos
2) PH : hagen
3) Kh : elos
4) PO4 : salifert
5) NO3 : hagen
6) NO2 : used hagen kit for initial cycle, i don't test for it anymore, it should be zero
7) NH4 : used hagen kit for initial cycle, i don't test for it anymore, it should be zero

8) Mg : Elos

J.

reefworm · 07/15/2008, 03:51 PM

calcium- LaMotte
pH - Pinpoint monitor
Kh/alk - LaMotte
Nitrate - LaMotte
Nitrite - Salifert
Ammonia - Salifert
SG/salinity - Premium Aquatics refractometer

LaMotte prefered

IndyReefMan · 07/15/2008, 03:58 PM

1. Calcium- Salifert
2. PH- Pinpoint
3. Kh- LaMotte
4. Phosphate- Hanna
5. Nitrate- Salifert
6. Nitrite- Don't test
7. Ammonia- Don't test

JRechcygl · 07/15/2008, 04:00 PM

reefworm, if you don't mind me asking where do you find the LaMotte kits?

drparker · 07/15/2008, 04:00 PM

1. Calcium - Salifert
2. PH - I use a handheld probe outside the tank and a probe hooked to controller in the sump
3. Kh - ELOS or Salifert
4. Phosphate - ELOS
5. Nitrate - ELOS
6. Nitrite - I don't bother any more
7. Ammonia I don't bother any more

Magnesium - ELOS
Salinity - Calibrated refractometer

I'd add Magnesium to your testing.

If I were to suspect an ammonia or nitrite problem I'd just get an API kit for those.

Nereaga · 07/15/2008, 06:15 PM

Started using Hagen first. Now I am using all Seachem kits. I like them a lot, easy to read and use. Plus they come with reference, to check if kits are still testing good...

Brad

stagefright13 · 07/15/2008, 06:22 PM

1. Calcium: Salifert
2. PH: Salifert
3. Kh: Salifert
4. Phosphate: Salifert
5. Nitrate: Salifert
6. Nitrite: API
7. Ammonia: API

sprinj76 · 07/15/2008, 07:23 PM

1. Calcium: Seachem Reef status
2. PH: Seachem
3. Kh: Seachem Reef status
4. Phosphate: none
5. Natrate: Seachem
6. Nitrite: Seachem
7. Ammonia: Seachem
8. Magnesium: Seachem Reef status

fltt · 07/15/2008, 07:33 PM

Great info thanks lets keep going Salifert is popular
Hows the pinpoint for PH always wanted one.

reefworm · 07/15/2008, 07:53 PM

JRechcygl:
Aquatic Eco-Systems, Inc.
www.AquaticEco.com

fltt · 07/15/2008, 08:15 PM

Thanks Reefworm nice web site.
How often do you have to change the pinpoint probe?

reefworm · 07/15/2008, 09:31 PM

haven't had to yet after a year, but might be getting close from a planned maintenance schedule. just keep it wet in the recommended calibration fluid.

Slakker · 07/15/2008, 10:12 PM

My research on kits turned up a discussion that pretty much concluded that when tested, the API kits were just almost as accurate as the salifert/elos tests.

I save the $35/kit I would be spending on either of those and use it for things like rent and groceries.

areze · 07/16/2008, 08:33 AM

I didnt think it had anything to do with accuracy, rather easy of testing, the salifert test has much nicer accessories, a good syringe for tritations instead of a cheap one. nicer scooper for powders. insignicant maybe, but all the accuracy in the world is worthless if I can screw it up

07/15/2008, 03:29 PM	#1
fltt Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Derby, Ct. Posts: 901	Test Kits Just want to see what test kits we are all using for 1. Calcium 2. PH 3. Kh 4. Phosphate 5. Natrate 6. Nitrite 7. Ammonia The good the bad and the ugly.

07/15/2008, 03:43 PM	#2
areze Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 4,048	I ponied up and bought all of the above in salifert test kits for my new setup. I hope to not be disappointed... suckers cost me a fortune. __________________ current tanks:240g of wallet draining capacity.

07/15/2008, 03:51 PM	#4
reefworm Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Waxhaw, NC USA Posts: 2,139	calcium- LaMotte pH - Pinpoint monitor Kh/alk - LaMotte Nitrate - LaMotte Nitrite - Salifert Ammonia - Salifert SG/salinity - Premium Aquatics refractometer LaMotte prefered __________________ "The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter." - Thomas Jefferson Current Tank Info: 29 gal. reef/assist with 75 gal. at the school

07/15/2008, 04:00 PM	#6
JRechcygl Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Somewhere playing with lamps Posts: 449	reefworm, if you don't mind me asking where do you find the LaMotte kits? __________________ Rechcygl...Yeah only one vowel AKA Dr.Fragenstein Big Glass tank lit by thin glass bulbs Current Tank Info: Propane, 180 reef

07/15/2008, 04:00 PM	#7
drparker Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Palatine, IL Posts: 2,652	Re: Test Kits 1. Calcium - Salifert 2. PH - I use a handheld probe outside the tank and a probe hooked to controller in the sump 3. Kh - ELOS or Salifert 4. Phosphate - ELOS 5. Nitrate - ELOS 6. Nitrite - I don't bother any more 7. Ammonia I don't bother any more Magnesium - ELOS Salinity - Calibrated refractometer I'd add Magnesium to your testing. If I were to suspect an ammonia or nitrite problem I'd just get an API kit for those.

07/15/2008, 03:58 PM	#5
IndyReefMan Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 477	1. Calcium- Salifert 2. PH- Pinpoint 3. Kh- LaMotte 4. Phosphate- Hanna 5. Nitrate- Salifert 6. Nitrite- Don't test 7. Ammonia- Don't test

07/15/2008, 06:15 PM	#8
Nereaga Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Oley, Pa 19547 Posts: 1,513	Started using Hagen first. Now I am using all Seachem kits. I like them a lot, easy to read and use. Plus they come with reference, to check if kits are still testing good... Brad

07/15/2008, 06:22 PM	#9
stagefright13 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Hatboro, PA USA Posts: 899	1. Calcium: Salifert 2. PH: Salifert 3. Kh: Salifert 4. Phosphate: Salifert 5. Nitrate: Salifert 6. Nitrite: API 7. Ammonia: API

07/15/2008, 07:23 PM	#10
sprinj76 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: WI Posts: 495	1. Calcium: Seachem Reef status 2. PH: Seachem 3. Kh: Seachem Reef status 4. Phosphate: none 5. Natrate: Seachem 6. Nitrite: Seachem 7. Ammonia: Seachem 8. Magnesium: Seachem Reef status

07/15/2008, 07:33 PM	#11
fltt Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Derby, Ct. Posts: 901	Great info thanks lets keep going Salifert is popular Hows the pinpoint for PH always wanted one. __________________ "Hardwork Beats Talent When Talent Dosen't Work Hard" Current Tank Info: 20g Nano Reef & 210g Fowlr

07/15/2008, 07:53 PM	#12
reefworm Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Waxhaw, NC USA Posts: 2,139	JRechcygl: Aquatic Eco-Systems, Inc. www.AquaticEco.com __________________ "The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter." - Thomas Jefferson Current Tank Info: 29 gal. reef/assist with 75 gal. at the school

07/15/2008, 08:15 PM	#13
fltt Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Derby, Ct. Posts: 901	Thanks Reefworm nice web site. How often do you have to change the pinpoint probe? __________________ "Hardwork Beats Talent When Talent Dosen't Work Hard" Current Tank Info: 20g Nano Reef & 210g Fowlr

07/15/2008, 09:31 PM	#14
reefworm Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Waxhaw, NC USA Posts: 2,139	haven't had to yet after a year, but might be getting close from a planned maintenance schedule. just keep it wet in the recommended calibration fluid. __________________ "The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter." - Thomas Jefferson Current Tank Info: 29 gal. reef/assist with 75 gal. at the school

07/15/2008, 10:12 PM	#15
Slakker Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Southeastern Wisconsin Posts: 4,521	My research on kits turned up a discussion that pretty much concluded that when tested, the API kits were just almost as accurate as the salifert/elos tests. I save the $35/kit I would be spending on either of those and use it for things like rent and groceries. __________________ -Tyler Oceanic 58RR display/20H sump/fuge thread...follow the red house. Current Tank Info: Oceanic 58g, 20H sump, AquaC EV-150, 175w Hamilton 14k + 2x39w T5HO Actinics

07/16/2008, 08:33 AM	#16
areze Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 4,048	I didnt think it had anything to do with accuracy, rather easy of testing, the salifert test has much nicer accessories, a good syringe for tritations instead of a cheap one. nicer scooper for powders. insignicant maybe, but all the accuracy in the world is worthless if I can screw it up __________________ current tanks:240g of wallet draining capacity.