Why you shouldn't use API test kits

[RuffReef]

Been testing my tank and adjusting alk using an API kit today I tried a friends kit and it was way different. API shows my alk at 10.5 but the Elos kit shows it at 7.5! I tested both 3x...

 

[lowbudget]

lol
try a salifert but nick test with api and swore by the api.. maybe you not doing it right. nick has to show you how to do it when he comes back

 

[RuffReef]

Yea alk test ate hard to screw up, counting up to 10 was a challenge!

 

[lowbudget]

sometimes i have problem and im chinese we are suppose to be good at math, but i have a masters in ingrish

 

[toromp]

Haha just had the same thought.. I tested alk at 8 I'm gonna test with salifert now.. ill post results

 

[RuffReef]

Hurry up I'm waiting to go to bed!

 

[toromp]

Salifert said 10 alk

 

[toromp]

I'm throwing out this pos test.. tomorrow ill go stock up on salifert

Now to test p04 with the phosperous tester

 

[toromp]

Shiiiza

.13 p04, time for some more rowaphos

 

[toromp]

Mag is 1500+?? Wth?! I dont even dose lol..

 

[Aquarium In Motion 1]

And how do you know that salifet is right? Cause it costs more? These companies spend thousands and thousands of dollars making sure that their test come out right. Most people never check to nake sure that their tests are out of date. Make sure to check the date as test kits do go bad. Just saying as i have used all brands and have got different readings. Your best bedt is to invest in the hanna colormeters and make sure to calibrate them often.

 

[toromp]

I only use the Hannah phosperous pretty much nib. The salifets are a couple months old the API is a year old, so u might be right! Thanks for the tipa

 

[turbonut]

And how do you know that salifet is right? Cause it costs more? These companies spend thousands and thousands of dollars making sure that their test come out right. Most people never check to nake sure that their tests are out of date. Make sure to check the date as test kits do go bad. Just saying as i have used all brands andlis have got different readings. Your best bedt is to invest in the hanna colormeters and make sure to calibrate them often.

Ditto. I find that salifert is always off as far as alk is concern. My hanna, lamottes and elos all read the same when my salifert reads higher. Another thing is dont get caught up chasing a number , get it to a target number no matter what test you use and try your hardest to keep it there.

 

[johnwin84]

I have red sea and salifert if you wanna bring some water down

 

[Mr. Plant]

I use API just for the basics: nitrate , PH, ammonia, phos, For Alk, Ca., Mag, I use Salifert, No issues.....

 

[lowbudget]

luis, always have a different brand to double check. if the numbers are close then cool beans if the number is like 2 piont then something is wrong. i use sera and salifert and elos for alk. alk is very important for sps. and sa

 

[toromp]

Thanks guys, i to tally thread jacked Jamie lol..

That's kind what I was doing with the API I. Hecked it with the API then checked.it with the salifert API read 8. Salifeet read 10

Maybe ill just switch to salifert and elos?

 

[lowbudget]

i always trust salifert. but there is a variance of 1 up and one down so you you could be at 9 or 11. thats how these test kits are. but like omar said find a number and stick with it.

Thanks guys, i to tally thread jacked Jamie lol..

That's kind what I was doing with the API I. Hecked it with the API then checked.it with the salifert API read 8. Salifeet read 10

Maybe ill just switch to salifert and elos?

 

[RuffReef]

Funny your API was low mine was uber high

 

[wickedfish]

The Salifert is so easy and is fat guy approved.