Favorite Test Kits?

Woodstock · 08-16-2005, 03:33 PM

Ok... judging from the poll results on the ~TESTING~ thread, the five most common things tested for are..

#1 Salinity
#2 PH & Alkalinity
#3 Calcium
#4 NitrAte

Let's go a step further and discuss what test kits/monitors you use and why? Post your likes and dislikes too! Are there any we should steer clear from?

Warnberg · 08-16-2005, 03:45 PM

Salifert and a refractometer..... always.

I will be adding a SMS122 Aquarium pH Monitor/Controller

Rougiem · 08-16-2005, 04:41 PM

I like AP the best but have also had good results with salifert too. I test salinity with a refractometer.

Where is the Red Sea?

Cheers!

Woodstock · 08-16-2005, 04:51 PM

Red Sea is #2 = Aquaculture Technology (Red Sea)

Rougiem · 08-16-2005, 04:58 PM

Helps if I read! Is summer vacation over yet? Please come back brain!

Cheers!

Woodstock · 08-16-2005, 05:00 PM

Ohhhh... I use American Marine (Pinpoint) for the temp and PH, Aquarium Pharmacuetical, Salifert test kits and a refractometer~

Zack · 08-16-2005, 11:42 PM

I'm using Seachem. Somewhat complex but good.

Gina · 08-17-2005, 07:15 AM

We have a couple of the Seachem test kits but, our main test kits are Salifert.
We use a Refractometer to check Salinity and a Pinpoint for PH.

Woodstock · 08-17-2005, 09:15 AM

Also, I've been check the CA and NitrAtes using both the AP and Salifert test kits to compare and I have to say the AP is easier to use and just as accurate. Salifert is just a tad higher on on the calcium but from what I ahve read, that is the norm for Salifert to be a bit high.

DaveK · 08-19-2005, 01:11 PM

If money is no object, I highly recommend LaMotte test kits. Yes, they are very expensive compared to most of the aquarium ones, but they are top quality.

For a better value I like Salifert, although these can ba a little complex to use.

mattie · 08-19-2005, 05:04 PM

salifert for calicum for accuracy
tetra for KH fro ease of use and price
just what makes sense to me anyway

cheeks69 · 08-20-2005, 12:09 AM

Calcium-Kwik Kit
ALk-Salifert
ph- Red Sea
Salinity- Refractometer

I also have Seachem but I find it too complicated. I occasionally test for Nitrates at the LFS and they use Salifert.

mps9506 · 08-21-2005, 11:33 AM

Refractometer, and Salifert test kits for everything.
I wouldn't mind having the Pinpoint Ca monitor and pH monitor however.
I do have a milwaukee pH pen, but ran out of calibration solution a long time ago and never reordered any, so I just check with the test kit.

Travis · 08-23-2005, 11:11 PM

Add 1 more to the Salifert club!

Although, I use seachem for ALK/Ph because they both come in one handy (and cheaper) kit!

Reefreak · 12-12-2005, 12:27 AM

Salifert and Refractometer for me
I have found them to be the most accurate

View Poll Results: Choose all those you recommend...
American Marine Inc (Pinpoint)	8	11.11%
Aquaculture Technology (Red Sea)	3	4.17%
Aquarium Pharmacueticals	18	25.00%
Aquarium Systems (Fast Test)	5	6.94%
Hagen	6	8.33%
Jugle Laboratories (Quick Test)	0	0%
Mardel Labs	1	1.39%
Salifert	46	63.89%
Seachem Laboratories	18	25.00%
Tetra Test	2	2.78%
Tropic Marine	3	4.17%
Salinity checked with Hydrometer	10	13.89%
Salinity checked with Refractometer	31	43.06%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 72. You may not vote on this poll

08-16-2005, 03:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 25,502 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Favorite Test Kits? Ok... judging from the poll results on the ~TESTING~ thread, the five most common things tested for are.. #1 Salinity #2 PH & Alkalinity #3 Calcium #4 NitrAte Let's go a step further and discuss what test kits/monitors you use and why? Post your likes and dislikes too! Are there any we should steer clear from? __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* *My Victorious Battle with ICH* 120 Reef Chronicle ~ *Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* *Massive 300 gal growout~* *My Anemone & Picasso Tank ~* *Picasso & Snowcasso for sale~* "Energy and persistance conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________

08-16-2005, 03:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
Warnberg Acropora Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 1,911 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Favorite Test Kits? Salifert and a refractometer..... always. I will be adding a SMS122 Aquarium pH Monitor/Controller __________________ Dave 240 Gallon Tall Tencor (96"L x 30"T x 18"W) 4 250 Watt MH XM10K bulbs 2-54 Watt T5 Actinic Euro-Reef CS8-2-RC Jetstream 1 Calcium Reactor 4 Tunze Turbelle stream 6000 power heads 7095 Tunze controller

08-16-2005, 04:41 PM	#3 (permalink)
Rougiem Ichthy Inquisitor Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Biggest Little City In The World Posts: 2,904 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Favorite Test Kits? I like AP the best but have also had good results with salifert too. I test salinity with a refractometer. Where is the Red Sea? Cheers! __________________ "Apes don't read philosophy." "Yes they do Otto, they just don't understand it." Intial School Tank Set Up and Progress

08-16-2005, 04:51 PM	#4 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 25,502 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Favorite Test Kits? Red Sea is #2 = Aquaculture Technology (Red Sea) __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* *My Victorious Battle with ICH* 120 Reef Chronicle ~ *Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* *Massive 300 gal growout~* *My Anemone & Picasso Tank ~* *Picasso & Snowcasso for sale~* "Energy and persistance conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________

08-16-2005, 04:58 PM	#5 (permalink)
Rougiem Ichthy Inquisitor Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Biggest Little City In The World Posts: 2,904 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Favorite Test Kits? Helps if I read! Is summer vacation over yet? Please come back brain! Cheers! __________________ "Apes don't read philosophy." "Yes they do Otto, they just don't understand it." Intial School Tank Set Up and Progress

08-16-2005, 05:00 PM	#6 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 25,502 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Favorite Test Kits? Ohhhh... I use American Marine (Pinpoint) for the temp and PH, Aquarium Pharmacuetical, Salifert test kits and a refractometer~ __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* *My Victorious Battle with ICH* 120 Reef Chronicle ~ *Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* *Massive 300 gal growout~* *My Anemone & Picasso Tank ~* *Picasso & Snowcasso for sale~* "Energy and persistance conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________

08-16-2005, 11:42 PM	#7 (permalink)
Zack Midas Blenny Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Minnesota Posts: 103 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Favorite Test Kits? I'm using Seachem. Somewhat complex but good. __________________ Nano Reef Gear

08-17-2005, 07:15 AM	#8 (permalink)
Gina Moderator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,842 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Favorite Test Kits? We have a couple of the Seachem test kits but, our main test kits are Salifert. We use a Refractometer to check Salinity and a Pinpoint for PH. __________________ Gina and Mark's 75 Visit Our Sponsors Gina's Cube Gina

08-17-2005, 09:15 AM	#9 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 25,502 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Favorite Test Kits? Also, I've been check the CA and NitrAtes using both the AP and Salifert test kits to compare and I have to say the AP is easier to use and just as accurate. Salifert is just a tad higher on on the calcium but from what I ahve read, that is the norm for Salifert to be a bit high. __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* *My Victorious Battle with ICH* 120 Reef Chronicle ~ *Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* *Massive 300 gal growout~* *My Anemone & Picasso Tank ~* *Picasso & Snowcasso for sale~* "Energy and persistance conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________

08-19-2005, 01:11 PM	#10 (permalink)
DaveK Reef Lobster Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Philadelpahia, PA Posts: 1,362 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Favorite Test Kits? If money is no object, I highly recommend LaMotte test kits. Yes, they are very expensive compared to most of the aquarium ones, but they are top quality. For a better value I like Salifert, although these can ba a little complex to use.

08-19-2005, 05:04 PM	#11 (permalink)
mattie RS Sponsor Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Torrance CA Posts: 522 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Favorite Test Kits? salifert for calicum for accuracy tetra for KH fro ease of use and price just what makes sense to me anyway __________________ www.reef-care.com

08-20-2005, 12:09 AM	#12 (permalink)
cheeks69 Wannabe Guru Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Northeast Posts: 7,386 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Favorite Test Kits? Calcium-Kwik Kit ALk-Salifert ph- Red Sea Salinity- Refractometer I also have Seachem but I find it too complicated. I occasionally test for Nitrates at the LFS and they use Salifert. __________________ Robert My Cube “A spirit is manifest in the laws of the Universe—a spirit vastly superior to that of man, and one in the face of which we with our modest powers must feel humble.” Albert Einstein

08-21-2005, 11:33 AM	#13 (permalink)
mps9506 Totally back Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 8,525 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Favorite Test Kits? Refractometer, and Salifert test kits for everything. I wouldn't mind having the Pinpoint Ca monitor and pH monitor however. I do have a milwaukee pH pen, but ran out of calibration solution a long time ago and never reordered any, so I just check with the test kit. __________________ Mike Reefkeeping Since '99 Help Build Reefpedia Premium Memberships Available! Support Reef Sanctuary Sponsors

08-23-2005, 11:11 PM	#14 (permalink)
Travis Smilie Bartender Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 6,890 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Favorite Test Kits? Add 1 more to the Salifert club! Although, I use seachem for ALK/Ph because they both come in one handy (and cheaper) kit! __________________ Help build the Encyclopedia of ReefKeeping Find over 1400 Reef Aquarium Articles at The Reef Aquarium Index

12-12-2005, 12:27 AM	#15 (permalink)
Reefreak Ricordea Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Seattle WA Posts: 186 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Favorite Test Kits? Salifert and Refractometer for me I have found them to be the most accurate __________________ Shaun I have learned something new in this hobby every day since 1978 Only to discover I could be wrong!

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