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Test Kit input needed please

Discussion in 'Archive' started by xroads, Dec 13, 2010.

  1. xroads Veteran Reefkeeper Vendor

    La Porte City, IA
    Ratings:
    +1,014 / 6 / -0
    Ok this is the week I am filling up the store with product.
    I am undecided on brands of tests kits.
    What is the common brand of kit people use. 
    And what do you test for?
     
  2. Waverz

    Waverz Expert Reefkeeper

    Ratings:
    +5 / 0 / -0
    Salifert and API seem to pretty popular I think. Back in the day when i used to actually test my water the main ones were Ca, Alk, Mg, and Nitrate. Ammonia tests would be handy for ppl starting new tanks.

     
  3. Gered

    Gered Experienced Reefkeeper

    Ratings:
    +2 / 0 / -0
    Get one of these and test it out for me /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/wink.gif  I like how you can do the major part of the test with one hand





    Red Sea Mag Test
     
  4. Shaun

    Shaun Inactive User

    711
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    API tests are my favorite
     
  5. PotRoast

    PotRoast Well-Known ReefKeeper

    999
    Ratings:
    +24 / 0 / -0
    I use Lamotte because they *seem* more scientific. I realize that you can't get real accurate results from ANY hobby test kit, but Lamotte makes me feel better about it all.

    I have recently been moving over to the Hanna Checkers. I love them. I have a phosphate, alkalinity and nitrite checker. They have produced almost identical results to the Lamotte tests. (I won't be sad to see the Lamotte kits go, once I use them up)



     
  6. FishBrain Expert Reefkeeper

    New London
    Ratings:
    +399 / 6 / -0
    You should stock the hanna hand held checkers.
     
  7. Foo

    Foo Well-Known ReefKeeper

    524
    Ratings:
    +4 / 0 / -0
    Elos, Salifert, and API. I test for alk/calcium, mag and nitrate.
     
  8. mthomp

    mthomp Inactive User

    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    how about just the saltwater test kit from api that does nitrite nitrate ph po4 amonia cal those are the things a new guy is going to need. All this mag and kh and such is for more advanced people and I dont think you will sell as many of those as you would a beginer set.
     
  9. Big John

    Big John Inactive User

    966
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    API Master Kit for me------alk, cal, nitrates.
     
  10. vikubz Well-Known ReefKeeper

    734
    Cedar Falls
    Ratings:
    +8 / 0 / -0
    Salifert and API. I had a Red Sea mag test and had inconsistent results for some reason. No problems with the Salifert Mg test.
     
  11. AJ

    AJ Inactive User

    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    I've used both Salifert and API. But I plan on switching to the Hanna digital photometers for whichever tests I can do with them.

    --AJ
     
  12. nick

    nick Well-Known ReefKeeper

    754
    Ratings:
    +5 / 0 / -0



    +1
     
  13. jtesdall

    jtesdall Expert Reefkeeper

    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    Why don't people use Seachems kits??? They are easier to use and cost less.
    API for Calcium
    Red Sea for Mag
    Seachem for Nitrate, Alk and Phosphate.
     
  14. Waverz

    Waverz Expert Reefkeeper

    Ratings:
    +5 / 0 / -0
    I have one of their Mg tests...not a fan.  You have to filter the water, through a cotton ball and it just takes too dang long.
    I can't speak for any of their other test kits though, I just know I don't like that one and prefer Salfert Mg tests. 
     
  15. ruggerkc Experienced Reefkeeper Board of Directors Leadership Team GIRS Member

    North Liberty , IA
    Ratings:
    +183 / 3 / -0
    I like the elos mg kit better than the sailfert. The instructions suck but once you figure it out there is a more definite color change. I use sailfert ca and alk haven't tried anything else but api. Have a hanna po4 checker still not sure about that, can't believe mine is always 0.
     
  16. Sponge Expert Reefkeeper Vendor

    Marshalltown, IA
    Ratings:
    +233 / 1 / -0
    Elos and Salfert for CA,Alk,Mag,Nitrate....Seachem for Iodine/Iodide...API for Ammonia,Nitrite...tests for when setting up a new tank ;-0)
     

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