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View Poll Results: What Alk test kit do you use? | |||
Salifert | 17 | 44.74% | |
Red Sea | 2 | 5.26% | |
NYOS | 0 | 0% | |
API | 3 | 7.89% | |
Other | 16 | 42.11% | |
Voters: 38. You may not vote on this poll |
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02/14/2019, 11:34 AM | #1 |
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What Alk test do you use?
As the title says, what Alk kit do you use and trust for your reef tank? I've always used API simply because it's cheap and easy to use, but am running low and looking to see if there's a better option.
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02/14/2019, 06:09 PM | #2 |
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I would add the hanna checker to the list....it's pretty popular
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Please don't feed the bears because the bears will become dependent on free handouts and forget how to take care of themselves …... Current Tank Info: 75 Gal. Mixed reef mostly sps |
02/14/2019, 10:54 PM | #3 |
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I’ve used api for many years and also have a Hanna checker. The api is always spot on with the Hanna, so I only use the Hanna checker on occasion to confirm the api.
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02/15/2019, 01:42 AM | #4 |
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Red Sea Pro
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02/15/2019, 03:33 AM | #5 |
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Hanna
If not for the accuracy, then for the ease of use.
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80G SCA Build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2560256 Originally posted by der_wille_zur_macht: "He's just taking his lunch to work" |
02/15/2019, 09:27 AM | #6 |
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At this point, I think I'll go with either Salifert, or Red Sea Pro. I currently have the red sea pro test kit for Mag. Would I be able to resuse the components from that and just buy the reagent refill kit for the Alk test, or would I need to buy the whole kit?
I tried adding the Hanna checker to the pole, but cant seem to update it. |
02/15/2019, 01:49 PM | #7 |
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Hanna is the absolute best for Alk.....
I use Salifer for CA and MG but for ALK you gotta use Hanna
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Justin Current Tank Info: 25G cube (finally back in the hobby in a small way) |
02/15/2019, 02:27 PM | #8 | |
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Quote:
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Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels |
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02/15/2019, 05:49 PM | #9 | |
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Quote:
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75g mixed reef, 20g sump, ocelaris clownfish (20+yrs old), flame hawk, one spot foxface rabbitfish, green mandarin, Bicolor Blenny, Coral Beauty;30g sumpless with Spotcinctus pair with RBTA Current Tank Info: 75g mixed reef, 20g sump, ocelaris clownfish (20+yrs old), flame hawk, one spot foxface rabbitfish, green mandarin, Bicolor Blenny, Coral Beauty;30g sumpless with Spotcinctus pair |
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02/15/2019, 06:02 PM | #10 |
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Salifert for many years... always consistent..
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265 gal SPS reef. Reef Octopus skimmer, CEBU MH fixture 3x400 watt 20k radiums w/T5s, Skimz Duel calc reactor. Current Tank Info: 265 Gallon SPS Reef |
02/15/2019, 09:42 PM | #12 |
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i use hanna as well.
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02/16/2019, 08:32 AM | #13 |
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Hanna, can't beat the ease of operation.
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[Citation Needed] "You don't use science to show that you're right, you use science to become right" - xkcd Current Tank Info: A rectangular shaped money pit. |
02/16/2019, 11:57 AM | #14 |
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Hanna here as well.
Corey |
02/17/2019, 12:31 AM | #15 |
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Hanna
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FoxFace RabbitFish For Life Everyone in this hobby has made a mistake at least once. Be smart and learn from others mistakes Current Tank Info: Reason I am broke as a joke |
02/17/2019, 01:43 PM | #16 |
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Salifert for me. I find it, like all the rest of their kits, to be easy to use with very repeatable results. Is it as accurate as a Hanna? probably not, but at least IMO, consistency is way more important than an exact number.
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I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer |
02/18/2019, 08:51 AM | #17 |
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Great replies so far! Wish I could add Hanna checker to the poll. Seems either the Salifert or the Hanna checker are the two the bulk of people use. I've decided to order a salifert alk test simply due to cost. $12 for the Salifert vs $50 for the Hanna, I can't justify the Hanna right now as my hobby budget is a bit short. I'll see how I like the Salifert, and possibly do hanna next time.
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02/18/2019, 09:58 AM | #18 |
Ancient Eskimo Legend
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Before Hanna, I used Lamotte for years and still use it occasionally. Hanna is nice because you get an exact number instead of a best guess.
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The wind blew, the chit flew, and then they came two by two. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Current Tank Info: 375g Tanganyikan Tank & 470g mixed reef |
02/18/2019, 06:47 PM | #19 |
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Hands down Hanna checker
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300g mixed reef-BlueHippo/Midas&bicolorBenny/2FlameHawks/CoralBeauty/MagFoxFace/spotted rabbit/BlondNaso/2clowns/PurpleTang/chevron tang/2lyretails/wrasses-pintail,2flame,lineatus,radiant,pink margin, |
02/18/2019, 07:05 PM | #20 |
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Hanna for ALK, Salifert for the rest!
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02/18/2019, 08:23 PM | #21 |
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The cheapo API kits from persmart work fine for Alk, nitrate, and pH. I have compared to salifert and gotten the same result. The only thing a hannah checker is good for is phosphate and nitrate if you are carbon dosing and going for a super low nutrient environment. In that case, hannah is the way to go because you will be below the LOQ of most other kits.
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02/19/2019, 10:27 AM | #22 |
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Hanna.
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Jim Current Tank Info: SCA 150G, 5 inch sand bed, 2 Tunze 6095s, ReefBreeders v2+ 50" with 2 all Blue Reefbrites, and Continuous Water Change System |
02/19/2019, 01:03 PM | #23 |
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I ended up buying the Salifert kit for Alk, just got it yesterday and I like it alot more than the API test kit. A bit more cumbersome to use, but seems to have better resolution. API is accurate to only 1 DKH, which isn't great if you're trying to push your alk up beyond the middle range. With everything I've read, I'm thinking the Hanna checker may be a better choice, but I didn't like the $50 cost to get one, so that will have to wait.
I think it's pretty safe to assume at this point that most of the "other" votes are for the Hanna Checker. Pretty well split between Hanna and Salifert, with a few votes for the others. |
02/19/2019, 06:45 PM | #24 |
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The reason I like the Hanna over others is simply that you get a digital readout instead of an ambiguous color change. Admit it, I would guess that we have all added a drop or two more to get the color we want!
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02/20/2019, 12:59 PM | #25 | |
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Quote:
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Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels |
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