Good test kits?

Amatuer21 · 12/11/2012, 10:04 PM

Hey guys i was wondering what are some good test kits for reef. I have the api master kit for all the basics. Is api's master reef kit the best or are their other good kits out there? I was looking on brs and came across a few expensive individual testers, are they worth it? more accurate?

codeblue48 · 12/11/2012, 11:22 PM

The API kit is decent for alkalinity, but it only gives you whole numbered measurements. You are going to find that most people prefer Salifert or Red Sea test kits. I've used the same API test kit that you have and I have also used the Salifert nitrate test and the Red Sea foundations kit. For testing alk/mag/cal you won't find a better deal that the Red Sea foundation kit. It includes all three of them at a great price. You are also able to purchase Red Sea reagent refills which saves you lots of money in the long run. This is not offered with the salifert kits.

I'm assuming the individual testers that you saw on BRS were the Hanna Checkers? I've have used the phosphate, calcium and alkalinity testers and was somewhat disappointed. The alkalinity and phosphate checkers were fine, but the calcium checker left something to be desired. It would constantly give me different results from test to test and I found it to be inaccurate. Good luck

downbeach · 12/12/2012, 06:35 AM

+1 on the Red Sea Reef Foundation Pro kit for Ca,Alk and Mg. I also like their NO3 kit, but you would be better served to get the Hanna checker for PO4. I would also suggest you get a decent refractometer along with some calibration fluid for checking your salinity, if you don't already have one.

Amatuer21 · 12/12/2012, 08:23 AM

Are the red sea test kits similiar to the api's. As in filling up to a 5ml line and putting drops in? How does the calcium test work?

downbeach · 12/12/2012, 08:34 AM

Here's all three demo's:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bb4NnYOFneA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VT9tEHp828w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MofaqM-I6uM

Amatuer21 · 12/12/2012, 12:42 PM

Awesome...Thankyou

12/11/2012, 10:04 PM	#1
Amatuer21 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Cuyahoga Falls Posts: 1,303	Good test kits? Hey guys i was wondering what are some good test kits for reef. I have the api master kit for all the basics. Is api's master reef kit the best or are their other good kits out there? I was looking on brs and came across a few expensive individual testers, are they worth it? more accurate?

12/11/2012, 11:22 PM	#2
codeblue48 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 126	The API kit is decent for alkalinity, but it only gives you whole numbered measurements. You are going to find that most people prefer Salifert or Red Sea test kits. I've used the same API test kit that you have and I have also used the Salifert nitrate test and the Red Sea foundations kit. For testing alk/mag/cal you won't find a better deal that the Red Sea foundation kit. It includes all three of them at a great price. You are also able to purchase Red Sea reagent refills which saves you lots of money in the long run. This is not offered with the salifert kits. I'm assuming the individual testers that you saw on BRS were the Hanna Checkers? I've have used the phosphate, calcium and alkalinity testers and was somewhat disappointed. The alkalinity and phosphate checkers were fine, but the calcium checker left something to be desired. It would constantly give me different results from test to test and I found it to be inaccurate. Good luck Last edited by codeblue48; 12/11/2012 at 11:31 PM.

12/12/2012, 06:35 AM	#3
downbeach Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Smyrna, Delaware Posts: 3,767	+1 on the Red Sea Reef Foundation Pro kit for Ca,Alk and Mg. I also like their NO3 kit, but you would be better served to get the Hanna checker for PO4. I would also suggest you get a decent refractometer along with some calibration fluid for checking your salinity, if you don't already have one.

12/12/2012, 08:23 AM	#4
Amatuer21 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Cuyahoga Falls Posts: 1,303	Are the red sea test kits similiar to the api's. As in filling up to a 5ml line and putting drops in? How does the calcium test work?

12/12/2012, 08:34 AM	#5
downbeach Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Smyrna, Delaware Posts: 3,767	Here's all three demo's: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bb4NnYOFneA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VT9tEHp828w http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MofaqM-I6uM

12/12/2012, 12:42 PM	#6
Amatuer21 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Cuyahoga Falls Posts: 1,303	Awesome...Thankyou