Test Kits

AcuraCl1 · 09/23/2008, 09:40 PM

I know this has been discussed before, but the search button is not working. I am needing to get a few test kits that I am out of. Right now, I am using the API brand for my Nitrite, and Ammonia. I am needing to get a new Nitrate, PH, calcium and alk kit to replace my old ones. Any other kits you recommend. Plus since I am having to get some new kits, I would like to get some good ones. Do you all recommend the API brand, or do you recommend some better ones. I would rather start investing in some good ones now, then later. I remember when I did some research before, I read to stay away from Red Sea, and that there were problems with the salifer brand.

Thanks
Scott

IslandCrow · 09/23/2008, 10:39 PM

I'm a Salifert man, and I've been pretty happy with their tests as far as usability and accuracy. Specifically for calcium test kits, you may be interested in this thread. It looks like most of the popular brands have similar accuracy: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1475493

808-340 · 09/24/2008, 01:07 AM

Salifert as well as Elos...

hstac · 09/24/2008, 06:52 AM

salifert all the way...

tangdiver · 09/24/2008, 07:03 AM

Salifert

AcuraCl1 · 09/24/2008, 07:06 AM

Thanks, I will try the saliferts out. Where is the best place to get them.

jayco5 · 09/24/2008, 07:14 AM

Good to know - I've been wondering the same thing.

firebirdude · 09/24/2008, 07:22 AM

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...04&pcatid=4404
Pretty cheap and there's a coupon code to save another $5. Google it ot PM me and I'll hunt it down if you can't find it.

AcuraCl1 · 09/24/2008, 07:36 AM

Thanks, were you meaning to point to the seachem or the salifert

shuguley · 09/24/2008, 07:51 AM

There's no way I would use salifert for all my tests... too expensive. Maybe salifert for calcium, magnesium and alkalinity. API for ammonia, nitrites, nitrates.

Me, I use API for everything except magnesium. I use salifert for magnesium. API is fine for everything else.

firebirdude · 09/24/2008, 07:54 AM

I meant seachem. But obviously the code works with any item. Think it's more of a discount if you're over $100. Which if you're buying salifert, you'd be over $100. LOL

shuguley · 09/24/2008, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by firebirdude
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...04&pcatid=4404
Pretty cheap and there's a coupon code to save another $5. Google it ot PM me and I'll hunt it down if you can't find it.

I bought a bunch of seachem tests at first and I hated them. They are too hard to read. I found the seachem ph and alkalinity tests ok, but the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate tests were so horrible that I tossed them in the trash.

firebirdude · 09/24/2008, 08:00 AM

Hard to read?!

And I think the code is 1130/8422 for $5 off any order. You can try 3658588 if you're above $100.

spw4949 · 09/24/2008, 08:03 AM

API, IMO...

shuguley · 09/24/2008, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by firebirdude
Hard to read?!

And I think the code is 1130/8422 for $5 off any order. You can try 3658588 if you're above $100.

Yes, hard to read. Those little disks that have to soak in the solution for 15 minutes and handle with tweesers are terrible, if you like them more power to ya, but I hate them. if you haven't tried anything else, I strongly reccomend it, you will be surprised.

AcuraCl1 · 09/24/2008, 08:32 AM

Thanks

IslandCrow · 09/24/2008, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Those little disks that have to soak in the solution for 15 minutes and handle with tweesers are terrible.

Agreed. I always hated the ammonia test. Of course, once the tank is cycled, there generally isn't much cause to test for ammonia anyway. I do use one of those Seachem Ammonia Alert Badges, though. You just stick it in your tank, and as long as it stays yellow, you don't have a significant level of ammonia. Nitrite is another test I wouldn't bother with on a cycled tank, so you can save some money there. Phosphate is another questionably useful test, since phosphates get bound up in other things so quickly, your tank can be loaded with them, you can still get little to no reading on your test kit.

09/23/2008, 09:40 PM	#1
AcuraCl1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Lebanon, TN Posts: 362	Test Kits I know this has been discussed before, but the search button is not working. I am needing to get a few test kits that I am out of. Right now, I am using the API brand for my Nitrite, and Ammonia. I am needing to get a new Nitrate, PH, calcium and alk kit to replace my old ones. Any other kits you recommend. Plus since I am having to get some new kits, I would like to get some good ones. Do you all recommend the API brand, or do you recommend some better ones. I would rather start investing in some good ones now, then later. I remember when I did some research before, I read to stay away from Red Sea, and that there were problems with the salifer brand. Thanks Scott Last edited by AcuraCl1; 09/23/2008 at 09:54 PM.

09/23/2008, 10:39 PM	#2
IslandCrow Reef Monkey Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 5,759	I'm a Salifert man, and I've been pretty happy with their tests as far as usability and accuracy. Specifically for calcium test kits, you may be interested in this thread. It looks like most of the popular brands have similar accuracy: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1475493 __________________ All opinions in the above message should be taken with 35 ppt salt. -Mike C. Current Tank Info: I have a reef screen saver on my phone, does that count?

09/24/2008, 06:52 AM	#4
hstac Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: troy, alabama Posts: 70	salifert all the way... __________________ always leanin' forward... Current Tank Info: 120g reef; 49g bowfront

09/24/2008, 07:03 AM	#5
tangdiver Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sioux Falls South Dakota Posts: 1,231	Salifert __________________ Its unwise to pay to much or to little When U pay to much U lose a little $ When U pay to little U sometimes lose it all because the thing U bought was incapable of doing the thing U bought it to do Current Tank Info: 6' long, 3' wide, 2' high, My tank is not worthy of Tank of the Month

09/24/2008, 07:51 AM	#10
shuguley Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Smiths Station, AL Posts: 536	There's no way I would use salifert for all my tests... too expensive. Maybe salifert for calcium, magnesium and alkalinity. API for ammonia, nitrites, nitrates. Me, I use API for everything except magnesium. I use salifert for magnesium. API is fine for everything else. __________________ 2 Ocellaris Clowns, Midas Blenny, Spotted Mandarin, Pistol Shrimp, 2 Cleaner Shrimp, Large CUC Corals: Xenia, Candy Cane, Zoas, Frogspawn, Brain, Bubble, Shrooms, Sun Current Tank Info: 55G Reef w/ 15G sump/fuge w/chaeto, Phosban Reactor w/GFO, AquaC Remora Protein Skimmer, 2 Koralia 3s, Nova Extreme T5HO 216W, 85lbs LR, 60lbs LS

09/24/2008, 01:07 AM	#3
808-340 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Far Away... Posts: 108	Salifert as well as Elos...

09/24/2008, 07:06 AM	#6
AcuraCl1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Lebanon, TN Posts: 362	Thanks, I will try the saliferts out. Where is the best place to get them.

09/24/2008, 07:14 AM	#7
jayco5 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Michigan Posts: 74	Good to know - I've been wondering the same thing.

09/24/2008, 07:22 AM	#8
firebirdude User and Abuser Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,836	http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...04&pcatid=4404 Pretty cheap and there's a coupon code to save another $5. Google it ot PM me and I'll hunt it down if you can't find it.

09/24/2008, 07:36 AM	#9
AcuraCl1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Lebanon, TN Posts: 362	Thanks, were you meaning to point to the seachem or the salifert

09/24/2008, 07:54 AM	#11
firebirdude User and Abuser Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,836	I meant seachem. But obviously the code works with any item. Think it's more of a discount if you're over $100. Which if you're buying salifert, you'd be over $100. LOL

09/24/2008, 08:00 AM	#13
firebirdude User and Abuser Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,836	Hard to read?! And I think the code is 1130/8422 for $5 off any order. You can try 3658588 if you're above $100.

09/24/2008, 08:03 AM	#14
spw4949 Registered Member. Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Albany, N.Y. Posts: 1,594	API, IMO... __________________ Steve Current Tank Info: 46 gal bowfront, mixed reef, 2x250W current outer orbit w/4x39W T5 ,10 gal fuge....38 gallon aggressive FOWLR, 10 gallon sump.

09/24/2008, 08:32 AM	#16
AcuraCl1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Lebanon, TN Posts: 362	Thanks