Test kits suck!

[MikeC]

Ok I have a few test kits that all read different :banghead:

Calcium:
Hannah=490
Read Sea=420
Elos=400

Alk:
Hannah=7 DKH
Red Sea=8.4 DKH

All done at the same time all done twice :banghead:

What's your advice? What do you do..average them? Pic one brand of test kit and stick with it?

7 DKH is borderline start dosing on the other hand 8.4 is not bad:scratch:

How do you experianced reefers advise a newbee.

Feel like I wasted some money

 

[Tonyscoots84]

the best thing to do is do test 3 X then take the average of all of the same test kit.

me personally i would get a friend close to you tell em to swing by with there test kits that they think work get a few beers ready nice and cold test some water and see what you get and drink some beer.

i really trust hanna and salifert(noticed you didnt use this test kit) but i havent tried the hanna yet

 

[mbg75]

Try your test kits on a batch of new saltwater to see if they match what's advertised

 

[Tonyscoots84]

that 2 good idea

 

[thirty6]

ive had decent results with salifert, i also use hanna for phos.

 

[B.BASH]

Its a tuff hobby no clear cut answer just watch your tank and make and make adjustments as neccessary. Large swings up and down are the biggest problem stability is key just my 2cents

 

[alienz]

Anyone use LaMotte? They used to be the gold standard way back when.

 

[ecchybridLE]

Elos test kits IMO are best. Especially for calcium , alk and mag. Maybe not so much for nitrate and phos. I also here if u are dosing two part , test kits can vary on readings depending on the two part u are using. If you are dosing and using b-ionic. Elos is the way to go.

 

[Jarrett]

pick a brand test kit, for what you are testing for and don't change it, that is the best way to stay consistent in my opinion.

 

[MikeC]

OK guys first I would like to say thank your to all for you suggestions and help.

I tested a fresh batch of my Red Sea Pro salt and low and behold my Red Sea test kits were dead balls on with what is on the salt bucket :thrash:

This makes sense and good enough for me.

I will now only use Red Sea test kits and enjoy my reef :grouphug:

 

[ducati335i]

They do suck my Hanna reads alk at 10 then salifert at 7 wtf

 

[dubs]

go renegadedontr dont test at all

 

[JimmyR1rider]

go renegadedontr dont test at all

Yeah do that as a brand new reefer- you'll get real far. Nice suggestion dubs.

Mike now that you have tests you know are accurate, you're good to go. Best of luck with the tank

 

[MikeC]

Yeah do that as a brand new reefer- you'll get real far. Nice suggestion dubs.

Mike now that you have tests you know are accurate, you're good to go. Best of luck with the tank

Thanks Jimmy

 

[Paolissimo]

I use salifert, and when I switched to ESV i tested a fresh batch of salt water, and the salifert test kits (alk, calc, and mag)were accurate to what ESV said.

 

[LavaToad]

On average how long should a test kit last before it expires? I have an API that's at least 4 years old with no expiration date on it... wondering if I should just get something new?

 

[JimmyR1rider]

I was always told 8 months or 1/2 used they go. They'll stay for a real long time if unopened but once introduced to air they start the shelf life timeline.

 

[Jakef150]

I had trouble with API ALK...I bought salifert ALK it was 1.7 ALK different..

Im stick with Salifert ALK.

I noticed API Ph high range is somewhat right on between 2 color chart match compare to Pinpoint PH.

CAL - i uses API and i suspected its a bit little off..


JAke

 

[ducati335i]

So is it fair to say Hanna alk reads higher than salifert alk? Or? I've done this often and same results.. I feel like the Hanna is more accurate.. Only cause they are doing well at 9-10alk and continue to do so(Hanna reading) but who knows if that true

 

[Jakef150]

Try to search in here or RC to find more info about Hanna alk?

Jake