Red Sea vs. Salifert Test Kits

gcgrad · 07/30/2011, 09:35 AM

I've been doing some price comparison between the Red Sea and Salifert test kits. Basically I have discovered that the Ca, KH, Mg, NO3, and PO4 Red Sea kits total about $100 and the Salifert total $108. Given that they are relatively the same price I was wondering which one y'all would recommend. Thanks!

I have also heard people talking about the Elos ones so that is an option as well.

b0bab0ey · 07/30/2011, 11:01 AM

Personally, I use Salifert... but I've heard good things about Red Sea as well. I think you'd be fine with either one.

asid61 · 07/30/2011, 11:05 AM

for Ca, KH, NO3, and PO4, you could purchase an API test kit from fosterandsmithaquatics.com, plus a magnesium test kit from there for about $50 shipped.

gcgrad · 07/30/2011, 11:43 AM

I may do that asid61. The Red Sea, Salifert, and Elos may be more accurate. But my system has only been up and running for a month and a half now. So I can probably get by with the cheaper test kit until my system becomes more mature and I have an ample amount of corals and livestock. Then I will purchase one of the more elite kits. At least that is what I'm thinking as of now!

d0ughb0y · 07/30/2011, 11:46 AM

you can buy refills for red sea but not for salifert.

salifert are not quite easy to use, you never know if you scooped too much or too little, and it is almost impossible to scoop once the powder gets beyond the reach of the scooper. and their dropper (for kh), drops even before you turn the bottle upside down, so then you are wondering if you got a full drop or not. then when you turn the bottle right side up again, another drop comes out and essentially wasted.

nothing wrong with using api kits, certainly an option.

Lynnmw1208 · 07/30/2011, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d0ughb0y

you can buy refills for red sea but not for salifert.

salifert are not quite easy to use, you never know if you scooped too much or too little, and it is almost impossible to scoop once the powder gets beyond the reach of the scooper. and their dropper (for kh), drops even before you turn the bottle upside down, so then you are wondering if you got a full drop or not. then when you turn the bottle right side up again, another drop comes out and essentially wasted.

nothing wrong with using api kits, certainly an option.

+1 the refills make the red sea kits way more cost effective. you can buy the refills for around $12 instead of a whole kit. Plus the red sea has a nice container and you can do the tests one handed with the titrator. I have the reef foundation one (ca, alk and mag) and I love it

07/30/2011, 09:35 AM	#1
gcgrad Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Middle Georgia Posts: 192	Red Sea vs. Salifert Test Kits I've been doing some price comparison between the Red Sea and Salifert test kits. Basically I have discovered that the Ca, KH, Mg, NO3, and PO4 Red Sea kits total about $100 and the Salifert total $108. Given that they are relatively the same price I was wondering which one y'all would recommend. Thanks! I have also heard people talking about the Elos ones so that is an option as well. Last edited by gcgrad; 07/30/2011 at 09:40 AM.

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07/30/2011, 11:01 AM	#2
b0bab0ey Moved On Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 2,564	Personally, I use Salifert... but I've heard good things about Red Sea as well. I think you'd be fine with either one.

07/30/2011, 11:05 AM	#3
asid61 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cupertino, CA Posts: 1,111	for Ca, KH, NO3, and PO4, you could purchase an API test kit from fosterandsmithaquatics.com, plus a magnesium test kit from there for about $50 shipped.

07/30/2011, 11:43 AM	#4
gcgrad Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Middle Georgia Posts: 192	I may do that asid61. The Red Sea, Salifert, and Elos may be more accurate. But my system has only been up and running for a month and a half now. So I can probably get by with the cheaper test kit until my system becomes more mature and I have an ample amount of corals and livestock. Then I will purchase one of the more elite kits. At least that is what I'm thinking as of now!

07/30/2011, 11:46 AM	#5
d0ughb0y Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: sf bay area Posts: 5,165	you can buy refills for red sea but not for salifert. salifert are not quite easy to use, you never know if you scooped too much or too little, and it is almost impossible to scoop once the powder gets beyond the reach of the scooper. and their dropper (for kh), drops even before you turn the bottle upside down, so then you are wondering if you got a full drop or not. then when you turn the bottle right side up again, another drop comes out and essentially wasted. nothing wrong with using api kits, certainly an option.