Test kits - your experience?

[SueAndHerZoo]

Hi there.

It's time to purchase a new set of test kits - I'm cleaning out all my old, outdated supplies and re-stocking and this is an area where I'd like to get the best -- too important not to take it seriously.

I've done a search on Reef Central and of course there are as many people who hate a particular brand as there are who love it so that got me no where. Anyone local care to tell me their preferences/experiences with test kits?

Sue

P.S. Since I'm a sucker for gadgets, I'd love to find one in a nice tray or setup that is easy to store and use without having bottles and color cards and tubes all over the place. :)

[RTMA]

I have both API and Salfert, I much prefer the Salfert kits.

[cato]

My trust in test kits is poor. I typically order the same kits from different companies and cross reference them. Salifert, Lamotte and Elos are 3 I use most often.

[hazmat319]

Salifert and API. Although, sometimes I'm not sure of API. Those colors are so vague sometimes it's hard to tell exactly what level you're at.

[mikelaubach]

Salifert and API. Although, sometimes I'm not sure of API. Those colors are so vague sometimes it's hard to tell exactly what level you're at.

I use the API for most of the test, and the color used to kill me. Right now, I show 0's across the board for the nitrogen parts, so that is easy (tank is only 3 months old). But on the old tank, I had some nitrate, and it was a bear to decide where it was. Same with pH - "Honey, what the sam heck color is this stupid thing?" Now I use the pH probe on the AC Jr and read the number. :D

[SueAndHerZoo]

So I guess there's no new, state-of-the-art test kit out there that blows the rest of them out of the water? Yes, I can relate to getting three different opinions on what shade of color a vial of liquid is....... some are near impossible to determine and it makes you want to say "why bother?"

I was hoping there was something new out there that would make me WANT to do more tests.... guess not. :(

Sue

[mikelaubach]

I wish. There are some meters out that you can use to read nitrates and salt level, but they aren't what *I* (personally) consider affordable, all things considered. :(

[eddiesylas]

I would suggest any titration type test for accuracy. A titration is when you add drops of a chemical to a prepared sample until a color change occurs. The down side to titration is that they take five minutes instead of thirty seconds to take everything out set it up and then put it away as there is usually 3 to 4 chemicals and steps.

For example Seachem ca+ test is within (+/-) 5 ppm. Salifert Alk on the other hand is extremely fast and easy test but judging the color (+/-) 0.5 meq/mL can be a big difference.

What are you interested in? I would honestly pick different companies for different tests. If you are having trouble maintaining a given parameter I would want something more accurate (for me it is Calcium that I chase). On the other hand, because my pH is so solid I want a fast easy test to not waste my time if it is not changing.

[money_kirk]

I have been using elos for calcium and mag. I changed for salifert to lamotte on the alk. The salifert was way off.

[SueAndHerZoo]

Not having a problem with any of the water parameters (yet) since it's pretty much a new set up. (upgraded my 55 gallon into a 92 gallon). I want to be able to do ammonia, nitrate, nitrate, PH as a basic overview and then when I start adding corals I'll need to check for the other elements. Right now I want a "all in one" package that gives me the basics.

What do you think of this one .... piece o' crap? http://about.pricegrabber.com/rd.php?pg=~~3&r=5316&m=42987650&mt=1~1~94.99~94.99~0~0~~about_saltaquarium~n~~n~~&q=n&dl=1&avail=In+Stock&search_id=d9ac8ef19a29a178f8c1f80cf966a36f&set=1266871991&st=click&sv=title&k=d7112a878e4b83af78335e1f7b6c673d

It's got the nice container I was looking for. :spin2:
Sue

[money_kirk]

I would go with API for all of those. They make an all in one kit.

[erbgo]

you are right it is a nice case just dont know how acc the test kit is

[sdheath]

The IO Reef Master test kits are nice. And I think Puppy Center stocks them.
http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=14741

[OK]

I use API. The colors are hard to read, but the price is right and most of the tests are fairly quick and easy. Salifert might be more accurate, but I don't really need to know if my calcium is 400 or 410. All I need to know is if it is between 350 and 450. As long as the test color changes enough to identify the high and low range and alert me that something is wrong I can shoot for the middle and be happy knowing I'm somewhere in between.

http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4345+17339+4452&pcatid=4452

[hazmat319]

I use the API for most of the test, and the color used to kill me. Right now, I show 0's across the board for the nitrogen parts, so that is easy (tank is only 3 months old). But on the old tank, I had some nitrate, and it was a bear to decide where it was. Same with pH - "Honey, what the sam heck color is this stupid thing?" Now I use the pH probe on the AC Jr and read the number. :D

Ha! The pH and the Nitrates are the worst. And I swear the color for 5 and 10ppm on the Nitrate card is reversed.

I ended up getting a pH monitor also. And I just got an AC jr. so I'm all good now:)

[OK]

Ha! The pH and the Nitrates are the worst. And I swear the color for 5 and 10ppm on the Nitrate card is reversed.

I ended up getting a pH monitor also. And I just got an AC jr. so I'm all good now:)

I agree with above, but what is the difference between 5 and 10 ppm of nitrates? Neither is going to hurt anything, and both are going to warrant a partial water change. I don't believe I need to spend extra money on a more accurate test to confirm it is 7.5ppm and then do a water change.

Trust me if you hit 20 ppm you will know it!

Same goes for thermometers. I use the cheap stick on kind that people cringe at. It may be off by a degree or 2, but when my digital one broke and went off by 8 degree's the stick on saved me. Again I shoot for the middle and it works.

[SueAndHerZoo]

OK - so there's no "hands down this is the best" test kit that everyone agrees on....I guess it's a matter of personal preference and past experience. Add expired tests, human error, etc. and I imagine that we'd find someone who hates and/or loves every brand out there.

Thanks for the input and feedback..... still not sure which way I'm going but at least I now know that there isn't one that is fantastic and another that is horrible. It seems they all have their own particular perks and flaws.

Guess I'll wait till a "pretty case" wins me over. LOL

Sue

[erbgo]

well I have bought a salinity meeter got used $50 a ph meter $89. and am going to buy a cal meter will be $200+ and a nitrate meter $200+ they are expensive but it will tell me a number and not guess what color it is

[SueAndHerZoo]

well I have bought a salinity meeter got used $50 a ph meter $89. and am going to buy a cal meter will be $200+ and a nitrate meter $200+ they are expensive but it will tell me a number and not guess what color it is

OK - now you're peaking my interest....... there is a nitrate meter???? What other pertinent tests can be done electronically? It may be worth investing in one or two or four - at least they don't "expire" and I'll get accuracy. I hate the thought of buying new test kits every year just to hear that they are somewhat inaccurate and unreliable. I'm real interested in what tests I can do this way -- what are these devices called? What should I Google?

Sue

[erbgo]

join the BRS group buy and you will get a good price

[SueAndHerZoo]

I can get some of that stuff there? I'm off to the website to look around - have never been there...... no time like the present!
Sue

[erbgo]

they have the PH I know not sure what else

[chaas]

I like API test kits if the tank's not heavily stocked. They're definitely "ballpark" measurements, but for most things that's fine. You can tell pretty easily if the reading is zero or not zero for ammonia, phosphate, nitrite and nitrate. Calcium is another one. If it's close enough, good enough. This is how I feel about most of my readings. As long as it's not dramatically different from last time, good enough. Doesn't change my actions if it's off, I'm still doing a water change.