Test kits

Reef Newb11 · 11/03/2008, 10:14 PM

Hi everyone and thank you in advance, Also if this is the wrong place to ask please move...

So I am still relatively new to all this and have primarily all SPS in my Biocube 29. Anyway I am starting to run low on my testing supplies and I was wondering what brands I should buy next. I test my water a lot for everything, I figure this is the best way to learn about my system and its needs and changes.

Currently I am using the following:

API:
Nitrate
Phosphate
Calcium
Carbonate Hardness (ALK)

Hagen:
Nitrite
Ammonia
PH

(I have not tested my Mag ever so I need a recomendation for that as well.) Thank you all help is definately appreciated.

Rogger Castells · 11/03/2008, 10:39 PM

spend your money in a good test kit brand, there are several good ones like, D-D Rowa Merck, Elos, LaMotte & Salifert, any of this will give you reliable and consistent results.

Reef Newb11 · 11/03/2008, 10:44 PM

I was planning on it. Just wanted to hear opinions of the different brands. Mainly interested in peoples reccomendations on Calc, Alk and Mag tests.

ease of use? I would imagine the above listed are all about the same with accuracy?

Reef Newb11 · 11/03/2008, 10:46 PM

forgot what about the Seachem mag, alk and calc tests? any good?

Bill Cobb · 11/03/2008, 11:04 PM

Dr.Mac's recommendation:
Specific Gravity 1.025-1.026, check with calibrated refractometer
pH 8.1-8.3, check with calibrated electronic meter
Calcium 425-450, check with Salifert test kit
Alkalinity 8 dKH, check with Salifert test kit
Magnesium 1350-1400, check with Salifert test kit
Potassium 380-390, check with Korallen-zucht.de Kalium test kit

z02554 · 11/03/2008, 11:11 PM

LaMotte all the way. they're a little expensive but worth every penny.

rulesmith · 11/04/2008, 12:48 PM

It is time for me to buy some new kits too. Any good master kits out there? Is API good enough for the basics?

mg426 · 11/04/2008, 01:04 PM

API will do in a pinch, but the Hagen kits aint much.

xinumaster · 11/04/2008, 01:20 PM

I always been using ELOS for mg, ca and alk. But now I run out of test reagent for ca. So, this time I ordered API for ca and alk. I gonna try and compare it with ELOS.

reefworm · 11/04/2008, 02:37 PM

second to LaMotte for the kits they make. Ca and Alk for sure, but you may have to find another source for Mg - I'm using Elos for that. You can order LaMotte reagents separately, and the vials are glass, with strong plastic index type boxes for storage. good quality materials, reliable and accurate

Reef Newb11 · 11/04/2008, 08:19 PM

I found out I can get a good deal on the Seachem Mag, Calcium tests anyone have any experience or advice on those I noticed they have not really been mentioned in this thread so maybe that should be my answer?

Yeah the Lamotte kits do look like they are of very good quality, I think I am going to try the Elos for Alk, Calc, and Mag.

Still a bit undecided for the others. Would like to find a very accurate test for phosphates and nitrates?

As for Ammonia, and nitrite I may just stick with API.

11/03/2008, 10:14 PM	#1
Reef Newb11 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Richmond, CA Posts: 280	Test kits Hi everyone and thank you in advance, Also if this is the wrong place to ask please move... So I am still relatively new to all this and have primarily all SPS in my Biocube 29. Anyway I am starting to run low on my testing supplies and I was wondering what brands I should buy next. I test my water a lot for everything, I figure this is the best way to learn about my system and its needs and changes. Currently I am using the following: API: Nitrate Phosphate Calcium Carbonate Hardness (ALK) Hagen: Nitrite Ammonia PH (I have not tested my Mag ever so I need a recomendation for that as well.) Thank you all help is definately appreciated.

11/03/2008, 11:04 PM	#5
Bill Cobb Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: White Plains, MD Posts: 136	Dr.Mac's recommendation: Specific Gravity 1.025-1.026, check with calibrated refractometer pH 8.1-8.3, check with calibrated electronic meter Calcium 425-450, check with Salifert test kit Alkalinity 8 dKH, check with Salifert test kit Magnesium 1350-1400, check with Salifert test kit Potassium 380-390, check with Korallen-zucht.de Kalium test kit __________________ Bill Current Tank Info: 29g BioCube, 29g plumbed w/ 20g, 2 - 5g seahorse tanks, 2 micro algae reactors, 3 brine shrimp reactors, 4 - 1g rotifer tanks, 55g display plumbed w/55g refugium.

11/04/2008, 01:04 PM	#8
mg426 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 6,923	API will do in a pinch, but the Hagen kits aint much. __________________ I found a way to make a small fortune running a reef tank. Start with a large fortune. Unofficial President of the SEACLONE haters club Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef 110 lbs LR, 1x250watt XM 20K MH 2x175watt XM 20K MH on Magetics 2X96 watt actinic PC, 220 watt VHO actinic, 30 gallon refugium, closed loop system powered by Sequence Dart MSX 200 skimmer 38 gallon sump, Oceansmotions squirt

11/04/2008, 01:20 PM	#9
xinumaster reef addict Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: sj ca Posts: 2,925	I always been using ELOS for mg, ca and alk. But now I run out of test reagent for ca. So, this time I ordered API for ca and alk. I gonna try and compare it with ELOS. __________________ -perry/xinumaster Current Tank Info: 375g tank 8'x30"x30"

11/04/2008, 02:37 PM	#10
reefworm Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Waxhaw, NC USA Posts: 2,139	second to LaMotte for the kits they make. Ca and Alk for sure, but you may have to find another source for Mg - I'm using Elos for that. You can order LaMotte reagents separately, and the vials are glass, with strong plastic index type boxes for storage. good quality materials, reliable and accurate __________________ "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

11/03/2008, 10:39 PM	#2
Rogger Castells Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Weston, FL Posts: 7,495	spend your money in a good test kit brand, there are several good ones like, D-D Rowa Merck, Elos, LaMotte & Salifert, any of this will give you reliable and consistent results.

11/03/2008, 10:44 PM	#3
Reef Newb11 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Richmond, CA Posts: 280	I was planning on it. Just wanted to hear opinions of the different brands. Mainly interested in peoples reccomendations on Calc, Alk and Mag tests. ease of use? I would imagine the above listed are all about the same with accuracy?

11/03/2008, 10:46 PM	#4
Reef Newb11 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Richmond, CA Posts: 280	forgot what about the Seachem mag, alk and calc tests? any good?

11/03/2008, 11:11 PM	#6
z02554 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 7	LaMotte all the way. they're a little expensive but worth every penny.

11/04/2008, 12:48 PM	#7
rulesmith Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 366	It is time for me to buy some new kits too. Any good master kits out there? Is API good enough for the basics?

11/04/2008, 08:19 PM	#11
Reef Newb11 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Richmond, CA Posts: 280	I found out I can get a good deal on the Seachem Mag, Calcium tests anyone have any experience or advice on those I noticed they have not really been mentioned in this thread so maybe that should be my answer? Yeah the Lamotte kits do look like they are of very good quality, I think I am going to try the Elos for Alk, Calc, and Mag. Still a bit undecided for the others. Would like to find a very accurate test for phosphates and nitrates? As for Ammonia, and nitrite I may just stick with API.