Test Kits

[txg8gxp]

What to buy? Looking to buy some good test kits, what brands are worth buying? Salifert and Elos seem to get good reviews.

[FireWater]

I have tried several of them and keep going back to the saliferts. I have not had any issues with them so far. Expensive to build up a set though.

[BIGBIRD123]

Salifert to me are worth the money. I am using Elos right now because they were given to me, real expensive and somewhat complicated. I will be going back to Salifert unless I get some more Elos in the mail...

[CoryDude]

Seachem is another good middle of the road company. I like that they pack a reference solution in most of their kits.

[justahobby]

I haven't been happy with Seachems. Seachem's mag test is terribly tedious...REALLY! The alk test is easy to use and read. And the phosphate kit will make you think you are color blind because none of the colors on the card match the liquid, including the reference. For nitrates and calcium I use API and like it. I don't feel like I need spot on accuracy w/ either of those. I'm glad you created this thread because I've been wanting to hear reviews on other brands for Mag and phosphates.

[Europhyllia]

I like the Salifert kits and have been slowly replacing the old API stuff with Salifert.
I am itching to get a Hanna Phosphate Meter. I just love electronic monitor/meter thingies.

At less than $50 it's not much more than a Salifert test kit and I bet it's way more fun!:
http://reeftools.com/news/hanna-inst...4-colorimeter/

[Big_Pun]

what are test kits for? .......... ;)

[Europhyllia]

Talked myself into it. I bought the Hanna Phosphate Checker and will let you know how I like it. Fun times!

[CoryDude]

what are test kits for? .......... ;)

That's one of the bad things I learned from this site. I used to never test, and now its made the hobby just that much more expensive for me. Here's my test kit rundown:

API for hardness and nitrates. They usually give a decent range on levels.

Seachem for total alk, ph, phosphate, mag (Justin's right about the # of steps involved), and calcium. All seem pretty accurate and run a few dolllars less than Salifert.

Salifert for accurate nitrate readings. Although, the API kit usually isn't too far off from the Salifert reading.