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Post by tripleridge on Jul 28, 2015 18:04:07 GMT -5
I bought the API Saltwater Master Test Kit. Thinking I should have bought the API Reef Master kit instead. What test kit do you all like and use?
Thanks, Ed |
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Post by foggman on Jul 28, 2015 18:18:54 GMT -5
API isn't that good IMO I prefer the red Sea, if you can afford it the Hanna are the easiest to use
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Post by jmerr86 on Jul 28, 2015 18:33:58 GMT -5
+1
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Post by Admin (RS) on Jul 28, 2015 19:04:57 GMT -5
tripleridge i'll echo what everyone else has posted and say to avoid the API test kits - I never had any luck with them and found the readings were constantly off. Red Sea is probably the most reputable test kit that you can get.. a Hannah checker for Phosphates will also be a great investment.
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Post by maineultraclassic on Jul 28, 2015 19:09:52 GMT -5
API is very inconsistent........not trustworthy at all.
Red Sea kits are much better, get the Reef Foundation kit and the Algae Control kit...........that will cover the 5 biggies that you need..........Phosphates, Nitrates, Calcium, Magnesium, and Hardness.
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Post by jasonandsarah on Jul 28, 2015 20:45:20 GMT -5
Yup
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Post by tripleridge on Jul 29, 2015 20:21:52 GMT -5
Thanks for the responses everyone! Red Sea it is.
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Post by Rakahrd Eastbrook, Me. on Jul 30, 2015 19:07:39 GMT -5
damn I screwed myself again.. I got the API test kit as welll
PH is at 8.4, Amonia is at 0, nitrates however are at 40ppm. that is way high
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Post by Admin (RS) on Jul 30, 2015 20:26:18 GMT -5
damn I screwed myself again.. I got the API test kit as welll Don't worry, any self respecting reefer will tell you about their closet (or basement, HOUSE, etc) that's filled to the brim with garbage equipment that they bought before they knew any better  we all gotta start somewhere.. coming onto forums like these will definitely help put you in the right direction and save you some pennies |
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Post by fermentedhiker on Jul 30, 2015 20:31:30 GMT -5
To be honest I've never had any trouble with the API test kits for PH, Ammonia, Nitrite, or Nitrate. Even verified against other tests. I wouldn't bother with them for the more important stuff like Alk, Calcium, and Phosphate etc... For those I go with Red Sea, Salifert, or Hannah depending on what it is.
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Post by ryansweatt2004 on Jul 30, 2015 22:06:18 GMT -5
Two best kit brands available are Red Sea pro test kits and salifert test kits. API= wasted money.
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Post by reefkprz on Jul 31, 2015 7:20:32 GMT -5
api test kits for ammonia can give a false .25 reading a lot, but the other test kits seem ok. I prefer salifert for calcium, and kordon for alk.
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Post by jasonandsarah on Jul 31, 2015 7:38:41 GMT -5
I use mostly Hanna checkers but also have red sea for reference/back up
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Post by Rakahrd Eastbrook, Me. on Jul 31, 2015 19:47:10 GMT -5
oh good I love a newbie forum:)) my question is with so many people selling/swapping corrals dont the market get saturated . also what you do with all the extras just toss them out?
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Post by jasonandsarah on Jul 31, 2015 23:36:14 GMT -5
oh good I love a newbie forum:)) my question is with so many people selling/swapping corrals dont the market get saturated . also what you do with all the extras just toss them out? There won't be many times the market gets over saturated(always new people coming in). But that doesn't mean people will always want to buy or trade. I try not to put anything in my tank that will grow so fast I have to throw it away! Those are normally the corals the overgrown and smother everything. Xenia, Kenya trees (not all types) and also some lower end Zoas and Palys |
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we all gotta start somewhere.. coming onto forums like these will definitely help put you in the right direction and save you some pennies