What test kits do you use?

chuckawd · 02/05/2011, 05:04 PM

After reading a million posts about test kits on the main RC forum I decided I would ask the local people what you use to test your water parameters? I am currently using the API Master SW and Master Reef Kits but they are running out because I test so much. The main tests I am looking to get are Ca, Alk, and PO4 so what do you use for those parameters? Ph as well. I was looking into a probe type Ph meter so if you have a recommendation for that as well I would really appreciate it! Thanks and happy reefing!!

Gary Majchrzak · 02/05/2011, 05:58 PM

Salifert Ca, alk and Mg are my mainstays.

I use the AP kit for nitrate.

Hanna for lowrange PO4.

my ACjr came with a pH probe but I also have a (rarely used) Salifert pH test.

Capt_Cully · 02/05/2011, 06:29 PM

Salifert. Tried and true for me.

Willistein · 02/05/2011, 06:43 PM

I use Salifert for Ca, Alk, and Mag. I would like to get a good Nitrate test though...

block head · 02/05/2011, 08:10 PM

i like api for nitrate . cheap, easy ,and very reliable. sailfert are kinda a pain imo, i use them if i have to.

iamwrasseman · 02/05/2011, 08:19 PM

salifert for everything but hanna for po4

tmz · 02/06/2011, 01:38 AM

API for NO3, NH3/4 ,NO2 and alkalinity.
Salifert for calcium,magnesium , alkalinity and NO3.
Salifert is ok for PO4 but I prefer the photometer from hannah.
Pinpoint Ph monitor is reliable.Milwaukee is ok but gives only tenths eg: 8.2 vs 8.15 thru 8.25 on the pinpoint.
Pinpoint salinity monitor is reliable as well.

Gravesj1s · 02/06/2011, 09:57 AM

Salifert for Ca, Mg & alk. recent addition of N03.

I just use ph instead of NH3/4 for cycling.

cardiffgiant · 02/06/2011, 10:20 AM

Salifert for Ca, Mg, Kh, and NO3. I take a sample to my LFS every once in a while to have them test PO4 with a Hannah.

naprestsleep · 02/06/2011, 01:32 PM

Salifert for Ca, Mg and NO3, hanna pocket meters for PO4 and Kh

Blurry · 02/06/2011, 02:44 PM

KH/CA/Mg - Salifert
iodine/copper - Salifert (used once, likely not worth the money)
NO3 - Elos
PO4 - Hanna ULR
PH - Pinpoint of ReefKeeper (I had issues with the DA probes)
salinity - Syban refractometer

Ammonia&nitrite - left over API kit, not an issue the established tanks, but nice to have

teamdulski · 02/07/2011, 06:26 AM

Api for everything, except for phosphates I use the hanna checker.

02/05/2011, 05:04 PM	#1
chuckawd Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 259	What test kits do you use? After reading a million posts about test kits on the main RC forum I decided I would ask the local people what you use to test your water parameters? I am currently using the API Master SW and Master Reef Kits but they are running out because I test so much. The main tests I am looking to get are Ca, Alk, and PO4 so what do you use for those parameters? Ph as well. I was looking into a probe type Ph meter so if you have a recommendation for that as well I would really appreciate it! Thanks and happy reefing!!

02/05/2011, 05:58 PM	#2
Gary Majchrzak Team RC Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Spencerport, NY Posts: 38,672	besides a refractometer Salifert Ca, alk and Mg are my mainstays. I use the AP kit for nitrate. Hanna for lowrange PO4. my ACjr came with a pH probe but I also have a (rarely used) Salifert pH test. __________________ over 19 years experience with multiple types of marine aquarium systems see Upstate Reef Society Forum on RC Current Tank Info: 72x24x30 225 gallon peninsula reef aquarium called Junior's Reef

02/05/2011, 06:29 PM	#3
Capt_Cully Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 11,549	Salifert. Tried and true for me. __________________ ....love to prove that, wouldn't ya. Get your name in The National Geographic.... Current Tank Info: 200DD SPS dominated mixed reef

02/05/2011, 08:19 PM	#6
iamwrasseman Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: syracuse Posts: 6,976	salifert for everything but hanna for po4 __________________ This hobby certainly can put you in some weird positions ! Dave Current Tank Info: 40 freshwater,25saltwater 2000 gallons ,enough tanks for an army ?

02/06/2011, 01:38 AM	#7
tmz ReefKeeping Mag staff Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: West Seneca NY Posts: 19,779	API for NO3, NH3/4 ,NO2 and alkalinity. Salifert for calcium,magnesium , alkalinity and NO3. Salifert is ok for PO4 but I prefer the photometer from hannah. Pinpoint Ph monitor is reliable.Milwaukee is ok but gives only tenths eg: 8.2 vs 8.15 thru 8.25 on the pinpoint. Pinpoint salinity monitor is reliable as well. __________________ Tom Current Tank Info: Tank of the Month , November 2011 : 600gal integrated system: 3 display tanks (120 g, 90g, 89g),several frag/grow out tanks, macroalgae refugia, cryptic zones. 40+ fish, seahorses, sps,lps,leathers, zoanthidae and non photosynthetic corals.

02/05/2011, 06:43 PM	#4
Willistein Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Spencerport, NY Posts: 1,760	I use Salifert for Ca, Alk, and Mag. I would like to get a good Nitrate test though...

02/05/2011, 08:10 PM	#5
block head Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: spencerport ny Posts: 2,215	i like api for nitrate . cheap, easy ,and very reliable. sailfert are kinda a pain imo, i use them if i have to.

02/06/2011, 09:57 AM	#8
Gravesj1s Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Syracuse,NY Posts: 1,713	Salifert for Ca, Mg & alk. recent addition of N03. I just use ph instead of NH3/4 for cycling.

02/06/2011, 10:20 AM	#9
cardiffgiant Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Buffalo Posts: 2,826	Salifert for Ca, Mg, Kh, and NO3. I take a sample to my LFS every once in a while to have them test PO4 with a Hannah.

02/06/2011, 01:32 PM	#10
naprestsleep blank Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 973	Salifert for Ca, Mg and NO3, hanna pocket meters for PO4 and Kh

02/06/2011, 02:44 PM	#11
Blurry Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: liverpool, ny (north of Syracuse, NY) Posts: 2,686	KH/CA/Mg - Salifert iodine/copper - Salifert (used once, likely not worth the money) NO3 - Elos PO4 - Hanna ULR PH - Pinpoint of ReefKeeper (I had issues with the DA probes) salinity - Syban refractometer Ammonia&nitrite - left over API kit, not an issue the established tanks, but nice to have

02/07/2011, 06:26 AM	#12
teamdulski The Saltiest! Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Rochester/Canandaigua, NY Posts: 994	Api for everything, except for phosphates I use the hanna checker. __________________ -Adam Current Tank Info: 34 gal solana 24 x 3w CREE LED DIY

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