Recomendations on Test Kits

[dcruce]

I've recently set up my first tank (10 gal nano) and should be setting up my 200 gal reef in the next month or so (trying to get the basement finished) I'm looking for a good test kit that is able to take care of as many tests as possible. I would rather spend a little more money to get a good kit up front instead of buying 2 or 3 before I find one that I like. What kits are everyone else using? Any complaints with your kit? TIA

[Phantom Phish]

I like the Salifert kits (as do many other people in the hobby). They are generally considered one of the more accurate kits, at a reasonable price, although not cheap. The only knock I have about some of the Salifert kits, is that it's sometimes difficult for me to distinguish the slight differences in the color shades when reading the results of some tests. However, I have also found this to be true of other manufacturers. Have also used some of the Seachem tests, some of them seem to be easier for me to read, but I find my results vary greater with their kits. Many people consider the LaMottes to be the cadillacs, with a price to match. I've not used them, but would like to try.

[cyberchef]

I use the Hach test kits. I really like them over all of the others i've tried and I've tried most of them. Easy to use, easy to read and you only have to buy refills which are very reasonable.

http://www.hach.com/

[Rick O]

I use Salifert and I like them. I have tried others and found them to be not so accurate or hard to read.

[Ray1214]

I have found that different test kits seemed to measure types of water.

There was a huge discrepancy between my first kit (Red Sea) and a Seachem kit. I bought a Hagen kit and verified which was right. However for Fresh water, the red sea kits work fine. For salt, I tend to like Hagen for ease of use even though I wish they would make waterproof cards for doing the color readings. The only exception to that rule is Nitrate. I prefer my Seachem kit for low range nitrate because even thought it is harder to use, it is easier to read the results.

Maybe someone ought to do a poll on fave test kits and/or what people measure for.

[dcruce]

I've been bouncing back and forth between the Lamotte AG-10 and the Salifert Pro Package. From what I've read and based on everyone's comments it sounds like I can't go wrong with either brand.

Both kits seem to have everything except the Cu test but I haven't seen the total qty of each test the kits includes. Has anyone out there bought either of these packages? My concern is receiving the kit only to find out that it comes with enough reagent / strips for 5-10 tests, then I'm ordering refills within a month or so. Not to mention, I'm sure both kits include tests that are rarely if ever used.

Am I better off buying one of the "all inclusive" kits to get started or buying each test individually?

[Ray1214]

Dcruce,

It has been my experience to always get a kit. I rarely measure copper or iron or dissolved O2. But it is there if I need it. Nitrate and pH and Alk seems to be the only two I always have to replace but I do have about 14 or so tanks I generally test on every two weeks. (Saltwater one week, freshwater the next). I managed to get a Hagen Kit onsale for like 25 bucks and turned out I liked it so I have stayed. I only use Saifert kits for Ca (the other test that can run out quick). BTW, on the Ca kits. Use RO/DI water and half of the sample that they want. That way you only use up half of the titration drops. Then mulitply the result by 2. I think learned that on this board when it was on reef central.

Ray

[dcruce]

Ray, thanks for the tip on the Ca test.

I'm going to order the Salifert Pro Package from MarineDepot in a few minutes.

Thanks for all the input.

[Rick O]

Originally posted by Ray1214
Maybe someone ought to do a poll on fave test kits and/or what people measure for.

Here ya go.
http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/sh...threadid=15107