Reef Discussion

[Schnecke]

Hi All,

I just wanted to ask you about your preferred test kits - please chime in.

The only Hanna Checker that I will end up with is Phos, but at the moment I'm using a RedSea kit for that and I am happy with the system until the regents run out.

Here's where I'm at, at the moment:

• The Salifert boxes aren't the best long term (being cardboard) but their reviews have always been great and they are well priced.
• The RedSea box is much better, their vials are glass (Which I prefer) but people complain about using them - Are they really THAT much more difficult than the Salifert Kits to use? I have no issues testing for Phos with the RedSea, but are the other tests (Cal, Mag & Alk) more difficult?

If the Salifert really are just THAT much better and easier, then I will go that way, but I'm still swinging to the RedSea until otherwise convinced that Salifert (with a customer box to store) is the go.

Appreciate any personal opinions as long as they are your own personal experience with them (and not something you read somewhere, I've done a LOT of reading LOL)

Thanks :)

 

[daveH]

Saliferts for me, can't go past them - best I've tried.
Hanna egg for phosphates though.

 

[Sam Parker]

Salifert in a plastic box, best of both worlds :P

 

[Lesley]

Used elos , redsea & had Hanna cal & alk. Sailifert sll the way for everything except still use Hanna phos. Well priced, great colour change. Easy to use.

 

[RobbieMVFC]

I used to have all Red sea test kits but have switched to Saliferts (not including Hanna for Alk & po4)
Only thing I use Red sea for now is Iron.
P.S Test potassium on Red sea takes 25mins for one test . It takes 3 mins on Salifert

 

[Schnecke]

Thanks all, you have convinced me to go the "Salifert Way" for the bulk of the test kits.

I will get a little plastic box to keep them all tidy-like.

 

[MagicJ]

I use Hanna and Salifert - if you can, I would get a Hanna Alk tester as they are very easy to use.

So, for me, Hanna for Phos and Alk, and Salifert for the rest. I do have a Hanna Calcium egg but it is too hard to use so I don't use it very often.

 

[Schnecke]

Thanks for the tip on the Hanna for Cal, I will avoid it and stick to salifert for that.

 

[Agent M]

Elos Phosphate test kits were mentioned at MACNA 2014 because they give you a more specific phosphate reading at lower levels than other test kits

 

[gtrxu1]

I have been down the rabbit hole of comparing Salifert and Red Sea and Hanna, a couple of times now over the years.
It's not a fun game to play.

 

[daveH]

I've actually got the Hanna Phosphate and the Hanna Phosphorus eggs.
Apparently measuring the phosphorus and then using the formula to work out the phosphate is more accurate reading.

 

[chimaera]

I've actually got the Hanna Phosphate and the Hanna Phosphorus eggs.
Apparently measuring the phosphorus and then using the formula to work out the phosphate is more accurate reading.

Yeah I would like a phosphorous egg at some point. Good to know they are good for Alk too.

 

[parrdog]

All been covered already but I also use Hanna for Phosphate and Alkalinity, Salifert for everything else :).

 

[Schnecke]

My Salifert stuff is on it's way, but I just wanted to check the sizes of the boxes they come in and the test vials (as I'm going to get one plastic storage container for the lot - it doesn't have to fit the boxes in it, I just wanted to make sure I got a high enough container so I can stand the vials up, instead of laying them down.)

Anyone got a ruler handy? Thanks! :-D

 

[daveH]

105mm wide x 45mm deep x 125mm high

 

[Schnecke]

Thank you!