Test Kits: Is it worth the extra $$$

[Kdocimo90]

Is it worth the extra 20 bucks to buy a salifert magnesium kit over the red sea magnesium kit? Right now I have been using the Red Sea Reef Kit and Red Sea Marine Kit.

[Michael]

over here they are about the same cost, so i wouldnt touch the red sea, but if there were 20 bucks difference i would buy the red sea and give it a try.

[Kdocimo90]

ok.
well how different could the results from each test kit be?
significant at all?

[Michael]

possibly different, the salifert is used alot by many reefers and is assumed to be very accurate, tbh the red sea is not popular over here, apparently its crap, but i cant confirm thats the case

[jprince58]

Originally posted by Kdocimo90
ok.
well how different could the results from each test kit be?
significant at all?

They can be VERY different. Salifert is the defacto "gold standard" for test kits. That's not to say that the others don't perform adequately, but that the Salifert kits will consistently provide more accurate results. These are lab-grade test kits vs. the consumer-grade test kits others market.

[Kdocimo90]

lol oh.. so me getting normal test results from Red Sea max isnt a good thing?

[Kdocimo90]

i paid about 50$ for all my red sea test kits.. if i were to buy all the main ones I use from Salifert it would be something like 260$

[Michael]

they may be fine, but as jeff pointed out the salifert kits even at hobby grade are considered lab grade

[jprince58]

Originally posted by Kdocimo90
lol oh.. so me getting normal test results from Red Sea max isnt a good thing?

I'd say it's a GREAT thing. I don't always use Salifert, either. I just know which kits provide the consistent accuracy necessary beyond the hobbiest level. It just depends on what level of accuracy you're willing to accept. I'd say just about any commercial test kit on the market will provide results "good enough" for most home aquarists.

[Kdocimo90]

ok.. I just dont want my 210g to go down the drain, but I also dont want to (cant) spend $250+ on test kits

[Sk8r]

There is NOTHING more expensive than a bad test kit (except maybe a tank crack), I'm here to tell you. Do not let your test kits expire. If you get wonky readings, get them crosschecked. You can kill your tank and break down your equipment with calcium deposits if these tests start going, so get good tests, don't skimp, and keep them well-stored and up to date. I had a dkh test expire, and it took me 6 months to straighten out what resulted: jammed pump, deposits everywhere, cleaning all the hoses, all the heads, and, lately, a jammed skimmer. PIta, thorough pita!

[Amoore311]

I use salifert for Alk, Mag, and CaCl. Anything else is API (PH, Ammonia, Nitrites, Nitrates).


The only thing I regularly test for is Alk and CaCl though, I test that about once every 2 weeks. Mag I test once a month. The rest I test if I noticed something wrong with the tank, which so far has been never(knock on wood).

I was testing Amm/Trite/Trate daily for the first month of the tanks life though. PH was also tested till the tank was stable as well.

[Kdocimo90]

maybe i'll just bring a water sample to a fish store...
anyone ever do that?
how often do you test your tank?

[Sk8r]

Absolutely don't get oversold on test kits. Your basic kits are, for fish: dkh alk. For corals, dkh alk, calcium, mg. And of course your refractometer, and for fish and corals, ammonia/nitrate test strips---run those last ones at least once a month. Ph meter you actually rarely need if you are testing alk/cal/mg. I use mine just now and again.
A tds (dissolved solids) meter for your water. With those things, you're good to go.

[Kdocimo90]

no i dont mean buy them for the local fish store... I mean some fish stores give you test results if you bring them sample water from your tank.. of course for a certain fee

[Playa-1]

Originally posted by Kdocimo90
Is it worth the extra 20 bucks to buy a salifert magnesium kit over the red sea magnesium kit? Right now I have been using the Red Sea Reef Kit and Red Sea Marine Kit.

I think you should buy both kits and decide which one you like the best. When you figure it out, let us know.

[Kdocimo90]

Originally posted by Playa-1
I think you should buy both kits and decide which one you like the best. When you figure it out, let us know.

lol

[crvz]

For the first rounds of testing, when you're just setting up the tank, cheap ammonia/nitrite/nitrate test kits are fine. When you're getting ready to start housing more challenging species of coral and other inverts, you can't afford NOT to buy good test kits. These would be calc/alk/mag and maybe nitrate/phosphate. Those are the only things I ever test, and all I've tested in the last 2-3 years.

[Kdocimo90]

ok few questions...

1. How long will calc/alk/mag/nitrate/phosphate test kits last me? I dont necesarrily mean expiration (unless I wont use that many before it expires)

2. Anyone bring a water sample to a local fish store to test? If so can you explain please?

[snodine]

API Nitrate test kit - 90 tests per kit.

API Phosphate test kit - 150 tests per kit.

API Calcium test kit - depends upon level of calcium in sample as to how many tests per kit.

API AK test kit - depends upon level in sample as to how many tests per kit.

Salifert Magnesium test kit - 50 tests per kit.

You need to ask - what is cheaper? Accurate tests kits or rebuilding a crashed system?

[Kdocimo90]

how long do those tests usually last YOU (not the expiration)

[REEF-n-Chicago]

I buy some of each (both expensive and not)
That way I can cross check and save some money

Personally, for mag I use the red sea

[snodine]

I usually test every 2-3 days as my tank is fairly new. I know I do not NEED to test that often but I feel more comfortable testing frequently. As the tank matures and I get lazier, I will test less.

[Sk8r]

Not too much use getting a phosphate test---if you have phosphate, the growth of algae usually advises you.

[Kdocimo90]

well how often would you test for a matured tank?