which test kit should i rely on

[Montaquelaveist]

Okay guys here is another question so i am trying to dose my tank manually i got my levels to where i want them but just out of curiosity i decided to check it with two other test kist mainly the Alk so here are the results

Salifert 9.9
Red Sea 8.4
Elos 7.0

So tell me guys which one is lying and they are all brand new test none of them expire before next year i just wanna know which one to go with before i begin my test i don't want to over dose my tank based on a test kit thats not really that accurate I've used Salifert for the longest time but when i ran out i had the other two as backups so now I'm confused please help thanks

 

[Tonyscoots84]

did you try 3 test of each back to back to get a average?

 

[NewfiDog]

Test your fresh salt water mix compared to the salinity see which is closest to what it says on the can. Test kits are just so crazy, i get 2 totall different readings on my mag kits just crazy, they should be ashamed to sell stuff like this but they dont care.

 

[Montaquelaveist]

did you try 3 test of each back to back to get a average?

yeah i actually tested all three at the same time with the same

 

[lfsmarineguy]

+1 What Tony said: Check each kit again to get an average and rule out human error. Reagents can go bad but if you're storing them all in the same place... they should be equally off.

 

[fishman1069]

IMO the exact number isn't that important. Stability is what you should be trying to achieve. I say pick one test and stick with it. The salifert test is most likely the more accurate one but the only real way to find out is to get your water tested at a lab and compare that to your tests.

 

[Silverni2]

Monta I had the same issues with these test kits as you and I tried them all! IMO elos test kits are easier to read then the others mentioned. Elos might not be the most accurate but when the test tube turns to yellow there's know disputing it that's why I use there kits. Just remember stability is the most important!

 

[Jarrett]

i have always used red sea for alk and it keeps me consistent at 8.4 but i only use salifert for calcium. i agree with fishman jumping from test kit to test kit will almost always give random results stick with one and don't change if you can, and even if it isn't accurate you know the level is stable.

 

[Montaquelaveist]

i have always used red sea for alk and it keeps me consistent at 8.4 but i only use salifert for calcium. i agree with fishman jumping from test kit to test kit will almost always give random results stick with one and don't change if you can, and even if it isn't accurate you know the level is stable.

Thats a good point i think i will stick with salifert theres is a lot easier to read imo

 

[Exotic Reef]

Thatsucks now in the back of your head you know there's a difference in the test kits...

 

[JARRETT SHARK]

I love salfirt test kits and Hanna meters

 

[Montaquelaveist]

Okay guys so here is my dilemma I am trying to figure out how much ALK, CA, and Mag. that my tank consumes on a weekly basis in order to manually dose my tank daily in order to keep my parameters level so i took an initial reading at where i want them to stay and have been monitoring them daily so i am just a little worried below are the results of my test each day let me know if i should continue or should i just bring my levels back up and try to determine the correct dosage amount another way

Initial test results: 3/27/2012
ALK 9.9
CALCIUM 470
MAGNESIUM 1410

3/28/2012
ALK 9.6
CALCIUM 460
MAGNESIUM 1380

3/29/2012
ALK 7.7
CALCIUM 450
MAGNESIUM 1350

So notice the big difference in the ALK from the 28 to the 29 yet the other parameters are dropping in even amounts each day so should i be worried i don't want the tank to crash or go into shock so I'm wondering if i should just bring my alk back up or continue to try and determine the usage in the tank so that i can figure out the proper dosing amounts.