Test kits - which is better

[Ken_ng]

Dear reefers

I'm currently using the following test kits to determine the state of my tank

1) API ammonia

2) API nitrite

3) API nitrate

4) Seachem phosphate

I have heard and seen the salifert test kits. However I never had any experience with them.

Would anyone here be able to share their experience here on the salifert test kits?

Are they more accurate than the other brands Sera, API, tetra & etc?

Are the salifert test kits easier to use and measure?

When I test the phosphate value in my tank and compare it to the reference solution which comes together in the kit, they all become the same colour if I leave them standing after a while. Anyone has the same experience?

Thanks in advance!

[brojj]

I would prefer using saliert test kit for Ca & KH. They use the titration method which i think is quite good in accuracy. A few steps involved but after constant use, u will get the hang of it. For low PO4 & NO3, D&D is one of the few that can detect very low concentrations with different colors which u cannot go wrong. However, they re higher in price, diificult to get the refills with a longer shelf life & not so good for high concentrations. Example for NO3 > 20, all red colors. Hanna checkers, i find them difficult to handle, especially during pouring of reagents into their small bottles. U will need to have very delicate & agile fingers to do that. For others like pH & ammonia, i have no experience, so no comments.

[brojj]

And API test kits, i find them user unfriendly due to the colors. Difficult to distinguish.

[brojj]

For seachem PO4, i am struggling with that too.

[MKPARA]

Salifert is a good brand.. i would test KH,MG, CA,NO3..with salifert yeap salifert is easier to test and also very accurate cheers!

[Ken_ng]

Thanks bro reeffish and mkpara.

If I'm running a nano and planning only on LPS and softies, what kind of parameters should I be aiming for?

Also how much on ave does the salifert kits cost?

Do they have a phosphate kit?

Bro reeffish

I think the timing for the seachem phosphate to turn colour is essential.

The instructions said that if levels are low, the right colour change would be within 5secs.

Have you verified the readings before?

[brojj]

Bro Ken, I am still trying to distinguish the color after 5 sec, following the instruction closely. I think need to do more then should be ok.

[brojj]

Within 5 sec. Ok. Will tty again. Thks.

[sherman]

So far for CA,KH and MG. Salifert is ok.

For NO3 Red Sea Pro and for PO4 Hanna is good.

[brojj]

Bro ken, LPS can tolerate slightly higher NO3 compared to SPS. Range between 20-30 is ok for LPS. Softies can tolerated slightly higher NO3 compared to LPS. For PO4, all types of corals benefit from low PO4 levels. Try to achieve as low as possible. LPS also consume Ca to build their skeleton body during growing, so maintain your Ca above 400. However, LPS does not consume too much compared to SPS or clams, unless u have the tank full of them. A nano tank should do fine with regular WC to replenish whatever is needed. However it is still necessary to monitor Ca, Mg, KH, NO3 & PO4 as tanks conditions varies. Your tank will be different from mine & others. That is why test kits are important. They will tell u whether your tank patameters are ok or not.

[Ken_ng]

So if that's the case, if I plan to only keep LPS, nitrates are not my worst enemy?

Also, the trace elements I need to dose or would using a good salt mix suffice?

Any to recommend?