What Test Kits Do You Use?

[GoBigGuy]

Well I've been in testing HELL tonight trying to figure out which of my 3 test kits I should believe since they are all giving me different readings so I wanted to see what everyone is using and trusts?

Thanks!

 

[peter]

Red sea seems to be pretty accurate. But it depends on what youre testing also, some are better than others.

 

[GoBigGuy]

Red sea seems to be pretty accurate. But it depends on what youre testing also, some are better than others.

So right now I was using API for the basics, (Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate).

For pH I have an electric meter: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NL0BVAY/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

For Phosphate, Calcium, and Alkalinity I've been using Hanna but started to wonder when my Calcium levels kept going up and up so I picked up a Red Sea test kit and the Calcium levels seemed a bit more real.
I have another post about my calcium nightmare here: http://www.socalireefs.com/forums/showthread.php?67477-What-causes-Calcium-to-go-up

 

[red13]

I use salifert, I feel like they are a bit more user friendly than Red Sea. In the past I have used the API, Red Sea, and Hanna. I do use API for nitrates though.

 

[JOSE CASAS]

Api for alk and cal, elos for
Mag. Po4 Hana colormeter. That's all I xheck. Mainly just alk.

 

[dorkymk3]

I use Salifert and API for pH

 

[jayhawk]

Hanna for phosphate, nitrite/nitrate, calcium, and alkalinity. Red Sea for magnesium...I also have Hanna for iodine and iron but I never use it.

 

[reeferside]

Red sea for Calcium, Magnesium, and Alk. I think they are pretty easy to get use to and if you test often you'll know what you're doing. If you have any questions about how to work it, send me a pm and I'll guide you along.

 

[babyjess210]

Salifert for Cal, Alk and Mag

+1 API for Ammonia Nitrite and nitrate

 

[Confuse]

The Hana Calcium test kit is super innacurate, unless they changed something these past few years. Look it up on RC. I use Hana for Alk and Phosphate and Salifert for Nitrate. I bought a Red Sea test kit, but it looked so complicated that I never used it.

 

[ndrwater]

The Hana Calcium test kit is super innacurate, unless they changed something these past few years. Look it up on RC. I use Hana for Alk and Phosphate and Salifert for Nitrate. I bought a Red Sea test kit, but it looked so complicated that I never used it.

Agreed that Hanna for Calcium is inaccurate. Red Sea for everything else. As mentioned earlier, seems difficult at first, but super easy once past the learning curve. There are a few YouTube videos on how to do the Red Sea tests that helped a lot..

 

[GoBigGuy]

So looks like there are a bunch of opinions on what test kits to use so based on the above I think this is my game plan

API for Ammonia Nitrite and Nitrate
Hanna for Alkalinity and Phosphate
Red Sea for Calcium & Magnesium and backup Alkalinity test

Think this is my best route?