Calcium/Alk/Magn. Test Kit

MattyJatz · 09/17/2009, 10:31 AM

I've started adding SPS into my 30 gallon tank and wanted to get some good recommendations on Calcium/Alkalinity/Magnesium test kits.

Also would there be any other test kits you all would recommend besides your basic parameter kit?

Thanks in advance,
Matt

arredondojason · 09/17/2009, 11:29 AM

salifert all the way.

Michael · 09/17/2009, 12:22 PM

yeah i use salifert as well, there are many others as well im sure

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Tswifty · 09/17/2009, 12:29 PM

I use Salifert as well.

Also have used API when I was in a pinch. However, accuracy hasn't always been consistent with the Alkalinity kit. Some of the API kits have lined up with the Salifert, others tend to be off enough to cause concern.

I'm not sure if there is another Magnesium kit that rivals the Salifert one though. Perhaps Elos, LaMotte, or something along those lines?

I personally have just stuck with the Salifert kits. Another nice thing with the Salifert Alkalinity kit, is that it has a check fluid so you can test if your kit's accuracy is good.

Good luck.

Tswifty · 09/17/2009, 12:30 PM

Oh... and as Michael mentioned...

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Sugar Magnolia · 09/17/2009, 12:33 PM

I use the salifert kits as well. I've used other mag test kits and salifert's is much easier to do.

johnr2604 · 09/17/2009, 12:40 PM

I like the Elos for magnesium. Right now for alk and calcium I'm using API. I always check my kits against other ones to see how accurate of a reading I'm getting before relying on it. I know I just had a problem with a red sea Mag test. It was reading 1700 while elos and salifert were reading 1350.

MattyJatz · 09/17/2009, 12:48 PM

I appreciate the quick responses guys. And thanks for the welcome!

It appears $20 - $30 or so is the average price for these kits.

Tswifty · 09/17/2009, 01:00 PM

http://www.saltycritter.com/test-kit...-test-kits.htm

azcummins · 09/17/2009, 03:00 PM

I use the SeaChem kits for Ca, Mg. They aren't hard to use and they include a reference test so you can see if your test kit is expired and giving you bad readings. Both kits are around $30.

I use the Tetra kit for ALK.

I've only had bad luck with API kits.

woofu · 09/18/2009, 06:30 AM

salifert is pretty good.....

dramage · 09/18/2009, 10:15 PM

does any one here use Aqua Test I just perchased it today have not had a chance to use it. i got ca and mg...hope they are good.

jason2459 · 09/19/2009, 01:22 AM

Been happy with API and seems accurate compared to what I was expecting and matching up with other people's results with it for calc, and alk. Wish they had a mag test too. I went with Salifert for that and it also has been accurate as well. Both easy to use and easy to tell the difference when you've hit your end results.

09/17/2009, 10:31 AM	#1
MattyJatz Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Satellite Beach, FL Posts: 10	Calcium/Alk/Magn. Test Kit I've started adding SPS into my 30 gallon tank and wanted to get some good recommendations on Calcium/Alkalinity/Magnesium test kits. Also would there be any other test kits you all would recommend besides your basic parameter kit? Thanks in advance, Matt

09/17/2009, 12:22 PM	#3
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	yeah i use salifert as well, there are many others as well im sure *To Reef Central* __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

09/17/2009, 12:29 PM	#4
Tswifty Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: PA Posts: 14,022	I use Salifert as well. Also have used API when I was in a pinch. However, accuracy hasn't always been consistent with the Alkalinity kit. Some of the API kits have lined up with the Salifert, others tend to be off enough to cause concern. I'm not sure if there is another Magnesium kit that rivals the Salifert one though. Perhaps Elos, LaMotte, or something along those lines? I personally have just stuck with the Salifert kits. Another nice thing with the Salifert Alkalinity kit, is that it has a check fluid so you can test if your kit's accuracy is good. Good luck. __________________ "Enough light? Heck I could go barebottom and grow SPS in the stand!" - DiscoReefRover

09/17/2009, 12:30 PM	#5
Tswifty Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: PA Posts: 14,022	Oh... and as Michael mentioned... *To Reef Central* __________________ "Enough light? Heck I could go barebottom and grow SPS in the stand!" - DiscoReefRover

09/17/2009, 12:33 PM	#6
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	I use the salifert kits as well. I've used other mag test kits and salifert's is much easier to do. __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.

09/17/2009, 11:29 AM	#2
arredondojason Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 988	salifert all the way.

09/17/2009, 12:40 PM	#7
johnr2604 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Dallas, Ga. Posts: 57	I like the Elos for magnesium. Right now for alk and calcium I'm using API. I always check my kits against other ones to see how accurate of a reading I'm getting before relying on it. I know I just had a problem with a red sea Mag test. It was reading 1700 while elos and salifert were reading 1350.

09/17/2009, 12:48 PM	#8
MattyJatz Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Satellite Beach, FL Posts: 10	I appreciate the quick responses guys. And thanks for the welcome! It appears $20 - $30 or so is the average price for these kits.

09/17/2009, 01:00 PM	#9
Tswifty Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: PA Posts: 14,022	http://www.saltycritter.com/test-kit...-test-kits.htm __________________ "Enough light? Heck I could go barebottom and grow SPS in the stand!" - DiscoReefRover

09/17/2009, 03:00 PM	#10
azcummins Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Central Tennessee Posts: 159	I use the SeaChem kits for Ca, Mg. They aren't hard to use and they include a reference test so you can see if your test kit is expired and giving you bad readings. Both kits are around $30. I use the Tetra kit for ALK. I've only had bad luck with API kits. __________________ Winter is the worst invention ever! Current Tank Info: 450g

09/18/2009, 06:30 AM	#11
woofu Moved On Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: peoria, il Posts: 191	salifert is pretty good.....

09/18/2009, 10:15 PM	#12
dramage Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Canada, Alberta Posts: 34	does any one here use Aqua Test I just perchased it today have not had a chance to use it. i got ca and mg...hope they are good.

09/19/2009, 01:22 AM	#13
jason2459 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 9,671	Been happy with API and seems accurate compared to what I was expecting and matching up with other people's results with it for calc, and alk. Wish they had a mag test too. I went with Salifert for that and it also has been accurate as well. Both easy to use and easy to tell the difference when you've hit your end results. __________________ rebuild and recovery log: No more red house, you'll have to click on my name and visit my homepage! You can check out my parameters at reeftronics dot net website and look for my username. Current Tank Info: 180g mixed reef w/ a beananimal overflow to a dolomite RRUGF. \| 20g long G. Smithii Mantis Tank