Test Kits (Which is the best)

[mikeguerrero]

Hey Reefers,

I'm tired of driving down to my LFS for salt water test on my water. What kit is considered the elite of the bunch. Five years ago I owned one that tested everything including Low Nitrates etc....

My little brother Dragon79, said his friend has a digital program that reads everything and even creates graphs and bars. Only problem with it is that it cost about $300 dollars...

So I rather stick to the liquid drops rather than the little powder or pill... Any suggestions???

I'm back into reefing and I'm sure you guys have all the inputs on the latest and greatest,,,, todays technology,,,,

thanks,,,

Mike

 

[ExiledInfidel666]

I use Aquarium Pharmaceuticals master test kit, works fine for me uses drops as you said you wanted, test nitrite, nitrate, ammonia, and high PH, easy, fast and accurate, its a blue box

 

[djconn]

I personally don't like Aquarium Pharmaceuticals b/c they were about 100 ppm off when tested against Salifert. Salifert is all I will ever use. Its very accurate. Many of our site's sponsors carry them. I would recommend purchasing online to save money.

I created a test kit poll a long time ago. Go here to check it out: http://www.nanotank.com/viewtopic.php?t ... =test+kits

 

[ExiledInfidel666]

well thats just what I use and it works for me, maybe your right because I never compared, id say go with the person with more experience (DJConn)

 

[Trogdor]

I am also using the Aquarium Pharmaceuticals master test kit and haven't had any issues so far. I may switch when my supplies run out. But this was the only test kit that any of the stores around here carried.

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

I prefer to use the Salifert test kits. The alk, Ca and Mg all use the titration method of testing which gives you a much more accurate reading than the "compare the colors" kits.

 

[dragon79]

where to buy?

I personally don't like Aquarium Pharmaceuticals b/c they were about 100 ppm off when tested against Salifert. Salifert is all I will ever use. Its very accurate. Many of our site's sponsors carry them. I would recommend purchasing online to save money.

I created a test kit poll a long time ago. Go here to check it out: http://www.nanotank.com/viewtopic.php?t ... =test+kits

You recommend buying online? How much and from where from? Link please

 

[incysor]

Hey Reefers,

I'm tired of driving down to my LFS for salt water test on my water. What kit is considered the elite of the bunch. Five years ago I owned one that tested everything including Low Nitrates etc....

My little brother Dragon79, said his friend has a digital program that reads everything and even creates graphs and bars. Only problem with it is that it cost about $300 dollars...

So I rather stick to the liquid drops rather than the little powder or pill... Any suggestions???

I'm back into reefing and I'm sure you guys have all the inputs on the latest and greatest,,,, todays technology,,,,

thanks,,,

Mike

Mike,

Can you, or your brother get the name of the system his friend is using. I'd like to do some research on it. $300 sounds like a lot, but over 2-3years it's easy to spend that much on chemical tests. Especially if you're testing for more than the basics. Pretty much the elite would be Salifert tests. Unfortunately they don't make a master kit, so you have to buy each one separately, and they're generally $12-$20 depending on which test it is, where you get it, etc...

Brian

 

[mikeguerrero]

Brian,

You need to ask my little brother Dragon79. Apparently, his friend at work is a big time reefer. We are talking huge reef tank and he told my bro, that he uses this really kick butt PC program that analyzes everything in the water, some type of probe,,,,

Ask Dragon79,,,, he's at work with his friend and will be able to respond...

Mike

 

[Purple Haze]

Hm, you're probably talking about a Neptune, Octopus, Aquadyne or other system controllers that let you log and chart changes in your tank. However, I don't think any of the mentioned kits/systems have the ability to test for all of the levels you're looking for.

Salifert kits are some of the best. I'd skip the test strip method of testing for PH and just penny up for a Milwaukee or Pinpoint PH monitor. Also, spend a little more and get a decent refractometer.

 

[dragon79]

i got a link from my friend...

Brian,

You need to ask my little brother Dragon79. Apparently, his friend at work is a big time reefer. We are talking huge reef tank and he told my bro, that he uses this really kick butt PC program that analyzes everything in the water, some type of probe,,,,

Ask Dragon79,,,, he's at work with his friend and will be able to respond...

Mike

Brian & Mike:

My buddy Adrian gave me the link...

http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/p ... cle_id=100

It's true what purple haze said about not testing for everything, but bascially this is what Adrian was talking about. It's cool for what it does, it's pricey too. Imagine, it's only a matter of time before a device is made that will monitor all.

 

[incysor]

Cool, thanks for the link, that had lots of good info. I've seen the systems that will measure your PH, ORP, Salinity, Temp, and monitor/adjust your lights, current etc... I just got excited there for a second when I though maybe someone had come up with probes that could actually replace most of the test kits. Oh well maybe in the future.