Best Test kits for Alk, Calc, mag, and PH

[tomslick]

I am looking to buy reputable test kits for these paramaters:

Alkalinity
Calcium
magnesium
PH
Temperature
Salinity
Please let me know the best, most reliable, most widely used and what is working best for you.
Thanks

[gone fishin]

For ALK, Cal, Mag I am partial to salifert.

pH I use a Hach sension probe ( got it from work)

Temp I got a digital thermometer in the sump and in a DT overflow.

Salinity I use a Myron L Company 4p meter checks conductivity,TDS, temp ( got it from work as well)

[downbeach]

I've used both Salifert and the new Red Sea Pro kits for Ca, Mg and Alk, although I now use a Hanna checker for Alk. Hanna would be a good choice for PO4 too. For pH I used a Pinpoint monitor with lab grade probe. Temperature is a Pinpoint dual stage controller. For SG I used to use a Tropic Marin floating hydrometer, but now use a refractometer.

[johnike]

Hanna checker for Alk and Ca
Temp and PH on Apex

[Spar]

Salifert for Alk, Calc and Mg
Don't bother with measuring pH
I use an Apex for temperature
Any refractometer for Salinity, calibrate yourself with 35ppt solution

[Timfish]

I use API for Alkalinity, pH and calcium, Red Sea for Magnesium and Elos professional for phosphate and a cheap refractometer I zero with tapwater. Here's a couple of good links to see test kit comparisons:

http://dfwmas.org/files/TestKitAnalysis.pdf

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2012/6/chemistry

[thegrun]

Alkalinity: Hanna Checker
Calcium: Salifert or Red Sea Pro
magnesium: Salifert or Red Sea Pro
PH: Probe
Temperature: calibrated probe, I use a lab grade glass thermometer for calibration
Salinity: Refractometer (calibrated with 1.026 solution)

[tommyboynj]

Don't forget phosphate. Keeping po4 in check goes a looooooong way to reef health. Hanna checker does a great job for that. Otherwise I use salifert.

[DaveRaz]

Red Sea for all except po4 ( Hanna checker) and salifert for mg.

[tomslick]

Originally Posted by Timfish

I use API for Alkalinity, pH and calcium, Red Sea for Magnesium and Elos professional for phosphate and a cheap refractometer I zero with tapwater. Here's a couple of good links to see test kit comparisons:

http://dfwmas.org/files/TestKitAnalysis.pdf

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2012/6/chemistry

I am using API for Nitrate, Nitrite, Ammonia, and PH and it seems to be easy to use. Thanks for the links Timfish.

[tomslick]

Originally Posted by gone fishin

For ALK, Cal, Mag I am partial to salifert.

pH I use a Hach sension probe ( got it from work)

Temp I got a digital thermometer in the sump and in a DT overflow.

Salinity I use a Myron L Company 4p meter checks conductivity,TDS, temp ( got it from work as well)

Thanks Gonefishin.

[tomslick]

Originally Posted by thegrun

Alkalinity: Hanna Checker
Calcium: Salifert or Red Sea Pro
magnesium: Salifert or Red Sea Pro
PH: Probe
Temperature: calibrated probe, I use a lab grade glass thermometer for calibration
Salinity: Refractometer (calibrated with 1.026 solution)

Thanks thegrun.It appears Hanna, Red Sea, API, and Salifert are the top runners.

[tomslick]

Originally Posted by DaveRaz

Red Sea for all except po4 ( Hanna checker) and salifert for mg.

Thanks DAVERaz

[tomslick]

Originally Posted by johnike

Hanna checker for Alk and Ca
Temp and PH on Apex

Thanks johnike I will check out APEX

[tomslick]

Originally Posted by tommyboynj

Don't forget phosphate. Keeping po4 in check goes a looooooong way to reef health. Hanna checker does a great job for that. Otherwise I use salifert.

Thanks for the reminder on po4 I dont know how I left that out.smh

[tomslick]

Originally Posted by Spar

Salifert for Alk, Calc and Mg
Don't bother with measuring pH
I use an Apex for temperature
Any refractometer for Salinity, calibrate yourself with 35ppt solution

Thanks Spar. Refractometer should be here Fri.Does it come with the calibration solution?

[tomslick]

Originally Posted by downbeach

I've used both Salifert and the new Red Sea Pro kits for Ca, Mg and Alk, although I now use a Hanna checker for Alk. Hanna would be a good choice for PO4 too. For pH I used a Pinpoint monitor with lab grade probe. Temperature is a Pinpoint dual stage controller. For SG I used to use a Tropic Marin floating hydrometer, but now use a refractometer.

Thanks downbeach.Where can i get the labgrade probe?

[downbeach]

Originally Posted by tomslick

Thanks downbeach.Where can i get the labgrade probe?

BRS, watch for sales this time of year. Don't forget pH calibration fluid. Not all refractometers come with calibration solution, so if necessary add that to your shopping list.

[Spar]

Originally Posted by tomslick

Thanks Spar. Refractometer should be here Fri.Does it come with the calibration solution?

Likely not. Will need to order it separate. May check to see if a local hobbyist has some. You just need a drop or two.