New Guy, Dumb Question but important one

Babybrown1249 · 10/14/2011, 09:04 PM

Ok What all test kits/monitors do you all use. I am looking for some that are a good bang for the buck. Let me know. Appreciate it!

mgargiullo · 10/14/2011, 09:24 PM

A refractometer is a must.
I'm currently using API saltwater and reef test kits.

James77 · 10/14/2011, 09:26 PM

Salifert and Elos are very popular. I use the hanna alkalinity checker as well. As for standard test kits, i prefer the Salifert for Alk and Elos for calcium and magnesium. Those are the big three to test for once you are up running and cycled.

WaffleWalffle22 · 10/14/2011, 09:30 PM

API is the best. don't litsn to anyone else.

lambchops · 10/14/2011, 09:37 PM

I use api but im starting to get get annoyed with the colors being so similar.

scionreefing · 10/14/2011, 09:41 PM

I use API Red Sea and Salifert.

Raffle grabber

pmark · 10/14/2011, 09:42 PM

A lot of people use salifert or elos. I have the salifert kits for nitrate, nitrate, pH and magnesium. I have the hanna alkalinity, calcium and phosphate checkers. Both salifert and hanna checkers were fairly simple to use. The checkers take the guess work out of determining the results when comparing color of the test sample versus a piece of paper.

zigzag1 · 10/14/2011, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WaffleWalffle22

API is the best. don't litsn to anyone else.

Totally disagree. Vials are small and never seal properly. I have them and use them for a few things and as backup, secondary checks. I find them the most annoying of any brand. Like many have said Salifert and Elos are good..

I really like the new Hanna checkers too. JMTC & GL!

Ron Reefman · 10/15/2011, 07:00 AM

I use API for ammonia & nitrate because the number is always zero anyway and I don't waste my time checking nitrites. API cal and alk are OK because they aren't 'match the color to the chart' type. They are 'drip until the color in the tube changes' which is similar to Salifert, just not as accurate due to API using drips and Salifert using a syringe. I tested Salifert against all my API kits and found they are so close that it really isn't an issue. I use Salifert for mag as API doesn't have one. I have both API and Salifert phosphate kits and find them both almost useless. Low levels of phosphates are taken up by algae and your test will say zero. I'm going to order a Hanna phosphate checker. Oh, and I use a meter to check pH and the PAR of my lights.

bnumair · 10/15/2011, 07:38 AM

red sea and salifert is what i use for high end like cal mag and alk and api for very basic like ammo,nitritre,nitrate phos.

Sk8r · 10/15/2011, 08:28 AM

I use the inexpensive test strips for nitrate/ammonia, because I'm reef, and if a reef gets anyway close to having that going on, every coral in the tank informs me; the three I use are Salifert: alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium. I use Kent supplements for those 3, rarely so because I use limewater (kalk, aka Mrs. Wages Pickling Lime) in my automatic topoff; I DON'T need to test alk and cal once the limewater is going, though I do when in a re-set-up of the limewater. I test mg to be sure where my magnesium level is, and do that every couple of weeks.

When a person is starting out with a reef, I recommend daily testing and a meticulous log of results so you can learn how your individual tank responds and how fast things are eating up the chemicals. Develop the ability to spot trends in the numbers and dose to the trend, ie, the direction of the numbers: dose before it crosses the line. Don't play catch-up after your tank has already entered a bad-zone.

For a fish-only or softie reef you need to track alkalinity closely. PH will make you crazy. If you track alk instead, you will solve your problems of PH, because to make alk behave, you have to have all 3 that I named above in balance, and your PH will pretty well be taken care of. There are a few situations where PH needs more attention, but you are still better off tracking alk and NOT attempting to adjust ph by emergency methods.

AquaReeferMan · 10/15/2011, 09:17 AM

API - Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate and pH

Red Sea Pro - Calcium, Alk and Mag

Milwaukee Photometer - Phosphate

snorvich · 10/15/2011, 09:23 AM

Excellent advice from Sk8r. I use Elos but focus primarily on alkalinity as an indicator of what is happening (I test weekly).

Reefing Newbie · 10/15/2011, 09:31 AM

I used API and I always had trouble reading nitrate and phosphate readings becuase the color changes are so gradule. I have Salifert for Ammonia and Magnesium. I will be tossing the API test kits as they are expired(well most of them, the ones that aren't don't have the color matching, got it second hand with my tank). I think I will get Red Sea's Nitrate and Phosphate, not that I will have readings with an algae scrubber. Depending on difficulty of use I may also get Red Sea test kits for alk, calc, and mag. I think I could return the Salifert Mag test kit as I haven't used it.

scionreefing · 10/16/2011, 10:54 AM

Well due to a member in our reef club testing all of our test kits I will be switching to salifert. The API that I have read higher than what his solution was in calcium and alk. my Salifert was on spot with the solution. There was another Salifert that was older that was right on point as well even though it was 2 years old.

Raffle grabber

aandfsoccr04 · 10/16/2011, 11:08 AM

I use salifert for all my testing needs. It seems to be the most accurate. I also use a refractometer properly calibrated with calibration solution. I have a milwaukee refractometer as well.

10/14/2011, 09:04 PM	#1
Babybrown1249 USAF Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Guam Posts: 217	New Guy, Dumb Question but important one Ok What all test kits/monitors do you all use. I am looking for some that are a good bang for the buck. Let me know. Appreciate it!

10/14/2011, 09:24 PM	#2
mgargiullo Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Hightstown. NJ Posts: 229	A refractometer is a must. I'm currently using API saltwater and reef test kits. __________________ People think I'm crazy when I tell them I'm saving my money to buy Rocks and Sand. Current Tank Info: 112g mixed reef, 40g Breeder, 16g Nuvo and 8g Nuvo,

10/14/2011, 09:26 PM	#3
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	Salifert and Elos are very popular. I use the hanna alkalinity checker as well. As for standard test kits, i prefer the Salifert for Alk and Elos for calcium and magnesium. Those are the big three to test for once you are up running and cycled. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

10/15/2011, 07:00 AM	#9
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	I use API for ammonia & nitrate because the number is always zero anyway and I don't waste my time checking nitrites. API cal and alk are OK because they aren't 'match the color to the chart' type. They are 'drip until the color in the tube changes' which is similar to Salifert, just not as accurate due to API using drips and Salifert using a syringe. I tested Salifert against all my API kits and found they are so close that it really isn't an issue. I use Salifert for mag as API doesn't have one. I have both API and Salifert phosphate kits and find them both almost useless. Low levels of phosphates are taken up by algae and your test will say zero. I'm going to order a Hanna phosphate checker. Oh, and I use a meter to check pH and the PAR of my lights. __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

10/15/2011, 07:38 AM	#10
bnumair Dr. Reef at ur service Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa, Ok, USA Posts: 7,751 Blog Entries: 15	red sea and salifert is what i use for high end like cal mag and alk and api for very basic like ammo,nitritre,nitrate phos. __________________ Water Quality: NO3 0,Phos 0,Cal 440,Alk 7.5,Mag 1300 "Reef Fast, You Crash, Reef Slow, You Pass" Mike's Reef 3:16 Current Tank Info: 350g DT,95g sump, 50g Frag tank, 4800gph return 4x Sea swirls. 6x AI Vega Color. 200# Pukani rock, dual recirculating skimmer, Biopellet, GFO Carbon rx's, Cal rx. Closed loop. 1.5hp chiller, genesis renew. Apex & RKE

10/14/2011, 09:30 PM	#4
WaffleWalffle22 Zoa Extreemist Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 983	API is the best. don't litsn to anyone else.

10/14/2011, 09:37 PM	#5
lambchops Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Eagan, MN Posts: 166	I use api but im starting to get get annoyed with the colors being so similar.

10/14/2011, 09:41 PM	#6
scionreefing Moved On Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 344	I use API Red Sea and Salifert. Raffle grabber

10/14/2011, 09:42 PM	#7
pmark Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: NYC Posts: 170	A lot of people use salifert or elos. I have the salifert kits for nitrate, nitrate, pH and magnesium. I have the hanna alkalinity, calcium and phosphate checkers. Both salifert and hanna checkers were fairly simple to use. The checkers take the guess work out of determining the results when comparing color of the test sample versus a piece of paper.

10/15/2011, 08:28 AM	#11
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	I use the inexpensive test strips for nitrate/ammonia, because I'm reef, and if a reef gets anyway close to having that going on, every coral in the tank informs me; the three I use are Salifert: alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium. I use Kent supplements for those 3, rarely so because I use limewater (kalk, aka Mrs. Wages Pickling Lime) in my automatic topoff; I DON'T need to test alk and cal once the limewater is going, though I do when in a re-set-up of the limewater. I test mg to be sure where my magnesium level is, and do that every couple of weeks. When a person is starting out with a reef, I recommend daily testing and a meticulous log of results so you can learn how your individual tank responds and how fast things are eating up the chemicals. Develop the ability to spot trends in the numbers and dose to the trend, ie, the direction of the numbers: dose before it crosses the line. Don't play catch-up after your tank has already entered a bad-zone. For a fish-only or softie reef you need to track alkalinity closely. PH will make you crazy. If you track alk instead, you will solve your problems of PH, because to make alk behave, you have to have all 3 that I named above in balance, and your PH will pretty well be taken care of. There are a few situations where PH needs more attention, but you are still better off tracking alk and NOT attempting to adjust ph by emergency methods. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

10/15/2011, 09:17 AM	#12
AquaReeferMan Got Reef? Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Under the Sea, Pa Posts: 4,593	API - Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate and pH Red Sea Pro - Calcium, Alk and Mag Milwaukee Photometer - Phosphate __________________ Couple SPS/Zoanthid tanks and a couple of FW planted tanks. Current Tank Info: 5 pieces of glass with some silicone and plastic frames holding them together

10/15/2011, 09:23 AM	#13
snorvich Team RC member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Outlander Posts: 40,953 Blog Entries: 46	Excellent advice from Sk8r. I use Elos but focus primarily on alkalinity as an indicator of what is happening (I test weekly). __________________ Warmest regards, ~Steve~

10/15/2011, 09:31 AM	#14
Reefing Newbie Registered Member. Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,435	I used API and I always had trouble reading nitrate and phosphate readings becuase the color changes are so gradule. I have Salifert for Ammonia and Magnesium. I will be tossing the API test kits as they are expired(well most of them, the ones that aren't don't have the color matching, got it second hand with my tank). I think I will get Red Sea's Nitrate and Phosphate, not that I will have readings with an algae scrubber. Depending on difficulty of use I may also get Red Sea test kits for alk, calc, and mag. I think I could return the Salifert Mag test kit as I haven't used it.

10/16/2011, 10:54 AM	#15
scionreefing Moved On Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 344	Well due to a member in our reef club testing all of our test kits I will be switching to salifert. The API that I have read higher than what his solution was in calcium and alk. my Salifert was on spot with the solution. There was another Salifert that was older that was right on point as well even though it was 2 years old. Raffle grabber

10/16/2011, 11:08 AM	#16
aandfsoccr04 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 3,561	I use salifert for all my testing needs. It seems to be the most accurate. I also use a refractometer properly calibrated with calibration solution. I have a milwaukee refractometer as well. __________________ 120 gallon mixed reef

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