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Test kits
Oct 25, 2014 16:34:04 GMT -5
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Post by jasonbowdoin on Oct 25, 2014 16:34:04 GMT -5
I'm going to buy a good test kit, is the marine test kit good? Or just stick with the API reef master test kit?
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Post by ryansweatt2004 on Oct 25, 2014 16:37:21 GMT -5
Please don't waste your money on API tests!! Spend a little extra and get a decent test kit like Red Sea pro test kits or salifert test kits. In the long run having a fairly accurate test kit will save you a lot of headaches.
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Test kits
Oct 25, 2014 16:48:19 GMT -5
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Post by jasonbowdoin on Oct 25, 2014 16:48:19 GMT -5
Thank you for the info. I got the API given to me, so thankfully I didn't wast money on that. I will buy the marine kit by Red Sea this week.
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Post by ryansweatt2004 on Oct 25, 2014 17:15:25 GMT -5
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Post by jasonbowdoin on Oct 25, 2014 17:24:05 GMT -5
I had it in my hand that easy aquarium and wanted to do some homework first but I should have just bought it. They gave me so much info today. Will be going back next week. Well worth the hour drive
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Post by jmerr86 on Oct 26, 2014 8:57:57 GMT -5
I Just switched red sea pro kits got them of amazon at a good price and I have to say it is a superior kit
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Post by BriMc on Oct 26, 2014 9:51:28 GMT -5
I Just switched red sea pro kits got them of amazon at a good price and I have to say it is a superior kit Why is it a superior kit??? You tested it against a certified standard, you read they were on the internet, Your tank looks great?? I always like to see reasoning how something becomes superior. From what I read in a couple second search the new Red sea pro tests are having problems with the Alk and Mag tests reading high. |
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Test kits
Oct 26, 2014 12:55:13 GMT -5
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Post by jasonbowdoin on Oct 26, 2014 12:55:13 GMT -5
If the tests are reading high then what kit do you use?
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Test kits
Oct 26, 2014 14:14:49 GMT -5
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Post by jmerr86 on Oct 26, 2014 14:14:49 GMT -5
Well to start the equipment its self is of a better build two yes it test better my old kit would test different with the same specimen red sea is the same yes the recent magnesium kit I ordered dose only go to 1800 or something like that its good to know though I will have to look into this issue though
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Post by BriMc on Oct 26, 2014 15:04:58 GMT -5
Equipment is of better build? Please explain. I a guessing the statement "a superior kit" is meaning superior to the kit you use used before.
I don't test regularly for anything but salinity, PH, temp, and occasionally Alk. When I do need to test I use a less known kit. I don't think the name of a test kit is important as long as it is accurate and if not what the correction to make it correct. Test kits are very subjective to the starter water that is being put into them.
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Test kits
Oct 26, 2014 15:58:44 GMT -5
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Post by jmerr86 on Oct 26, 2014 15:58:44 GMT -5
I as well test very little and agree that name means nothing that being said I was using an API kit and the vials leaked when shaken the and the bottles seam to dispense random sized drops despite all efforts to regulate them I also purchased them at the same price as the API kit in short it is my opinion that it is a superior product based on use and accuracy
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Test kits
Oct 26, 2014 16:18:57 GMT -5
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Post by jasonbowdoin on Oct 26, 2014 16:18:57 GMT -5
I use the API kit and I get the same results. The stuff spills a little every time. And the chart sucks. I'm going to get the Red Sea kit.
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Post by BriMc on Oct 26, 2014 21:18:34 GMT -5
API has been known to be one of the worst kits out there. Thank you for stating it was your "opinion" that Red sea kits were superior. You as I have no idea of the actual accuracy of the test kits, we can test against another entry level test kit and say it is accurate. As I stated earlier there has been more than a few reported issues with the ALK and MAG Red Sea tests.
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Post by jasonandsarah on Oct 27, 2014 7:59:55 GMT -5
Red sea and salifert kits are pretty reliable ime. If your really worried about accuracy then send your water in to get tested and compare test results to the kit of your choosing.
I personally use 3 different brands of test kits. 2 listed above and a Hanna checker Ulr for phosphate/phosphorus.
I've been using the red sea (pro) reef foundation test kit for some time now and have had zero problems.
I have a heavily stocked sps tank with tons of frags so I keep my alk and cal pretty high compared to most and have found this kit to be easy to use and very consistent. Consistency is very important with a test kit more so imo then if it reads a little high or low. If I can test 3 times in a row and get the exact same results I'm happy for the most part.
With home test kits it's hard to get something that's perfect. Even Hanna checkers aren't a 100% and they're one of the better hobbyist test kits you can buy imo.
Like I said before of your really worried about being exact then get your water tested and cross reference it to your kit. You should be able to easily figure out the +/- of your kit and know how to get the correct reading from it. As long as you've chosen a consistent kit.
Sent from my SM-N910R4 using proboards
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Post by jasonandsarah on Oct 27, 2014 8:07:38 GMT -5
Also ask people you trust what kit they use and why? This is one case where I think solely getting reviews online is kinda hard because it's very easy for someone to blame there tank crash or problem on their test kit. User error is the biggest problem with home test kits. Imo...  Sent from my SM-N910R4 using proboards |
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