magnesium test kit.

I just got a red sea mag kit for 20 bucks.

 

I think most people use Salifert. I like Salifert test kits because you don't have to worry about doing a color match to a card. You just add enough of the reagent until the color shift occurs (usually very noticeable and distinct change) and then you compare the amount of the reagent left in the syringe to the values on the sheet to get your test result.

What I don't like about Salifert test kits is how you have to use the spoon to measure the powder reagent. It seems inexact to me. I'm careful to always press down and draw a straight edge across the top to try to get the same result each time, but it just seems like a poor way of doing things. I have no experience with the other test kit brands to know how they do things.

I've heard lots of great things about Lamotte test kits, but it doesn't appear that they have a magnesium test kit.

As for prices, it would appear that Red Sea's test is the cheapest at about $16 on Marine Depot, however, if you take a closer look, that's only a 30 test kit ($.53 per test) The Elos and Salifert are 50 test kits for around $26-$30 ($.50 to $.60 per test). There's also a Seachem test which also measures alkalinity and borate for $36, but it has enough for 75 tests ($.50 per test). All of the kits seem to be priced in the same ballpark on a price per test so it really depends on your preference for brand itself.

I hope all that helped you a little.

--AJ

 

I have a salifert Mg test kit used twice. EXP 07-2013. $20

 

I use the ELOS kit, gives me consistent results and has a fairly easy color change to see. I also have the Red Sea and don't like that one as well, the chart goes up to 1280 ppm and I don't like the color change as good as the ELOS but the ELOS will cost more.

 

I was actually wondering the Salifert kit so I'm glad I stumbled upon this. I use the Red Sea Mg kit and I for one have a heck of a time trying to tell if my dark purple is actually the blue on the card - which makes a huge difference in the results. Now I wish I would have ordered the Salifert kit in my last DFS order.