Good Reasonably Priced Testing Kit
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: Reef Chemistry
Forum Description: A place to discuss reef chemistry.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=66895
Printed Date: May 13 2025 at 4:00pm
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Topic: Good Reasonably Priced Testing Kit
Posted By: Blake
Subject: Good Reasonably Priced Testing Kit
Date Posted: October 03 2013 at 8:47am
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Hello, So I bought a basic pack of test strips that test my water for Alkalinity, Nitrate, Nitrite, Ammonia and I think PH. I know for coral I need to be able to test for Calcium, Magnesium and I believe a few other things. I was just looking to get some recommendations on a decent kit for testing my water. Or would it be best to buy tests individually (just PH, just alkalinity, just calcium) if that makes sense? Anyway, I know that API has a few kits, but I was once told that API isn't that good and was not recommended to me. So I thought I would see what is recommended. Thank you very much for the help!
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Replies:
Posted By: ReefdUp
Date Posted: October 03 2013 at 9:20am
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I would go with the Red Sea kits. They're a little pricey initially, but they're refillable...which makes them cheaper in the long run. Plus, they're good kits. ------------- www.reefdup.com Diving since 2009, reefkeeping since 2007, & fishkeeping since 1987 200g, 75g, & 15g Systems PADI Advanced Open Water |
Posted By: tink
Date Posted: October 03 2013 at 9:39am
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I agree with reefdup and it last awhile. I've been using the same test kit for almost a yr ------------- Creating my own ocean |
Posted By: ReefdUp
Date Posted: October 03 2013 at 9:56am
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I should also mention... I used the cheap kits when I started, and I don't recommend that. You could have a test turn out wrong...then you'll spend days and money troubleshooting everything...which will probably make matters worse. I've also used some of the other nice and expensive kits. They're great, but they can be challenging to perform, which will make you want to test less often. I find that the red sea kits are easy to perform and perform well. ------------- www.reefdup.com Diving since 2009, reefkeeping since 2007, & fishkeeping since 1987 200g, 75g, & 15g Systems PADI Advanced Open Water |
Posted By: reefnfeef
Date Posted: October 03 2013 at 10:05am
+1 ------------- aaaaaaaaaaaaaannd.... I'm broke |
ReefdUp wrote:Posted By: lskurys
Date Posted: October 03 2013 at 10:14am
+1 With the price you can look at it this way too. Most kits cost $20 to $35 each. With the Red Sea reef foundation kit you get all 3 test for about $50. and the refill kits are $10-$20 for the Read Sea check this one out http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/red-sea-reef-foundation-pro-multi-test-kit-ca-alk-mg.html" rel="nofollow - http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/red-sea-reef-foundation-pro-multi-test-kit-ca-alk-mg.html ------------- 220g , large elite aquatics sump. 3 Radion Pro Gen 3 lights 3 Mp 40's |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: October 03 2013 at 10:17am
I have been pleased with the Salifert brand, though it has been a while since I compared the price per test with say, RedSea. Okay, why not.  Here is an up-to-date pricing comparison:A recently purchased Salifert Alk test kit was ~$15 online. It does 100 tests(200 at lower resolution) $15/100 tests = $0.15/test In checking online, I find the Red Sea Alkalinity Pro test kit is ~$25 for 75 tests and ~$15 for the 75 test refill. $25 + $15 = $40/150 tests = $0.27/test There you have it. The Salifert Alk test kit is much more economically priced. Though the Salifert Ca and Mg test kits are about $25 each, I would expect comparisons to also figure in favor of Salifert. FYI, the methodology for all these test kits of all brands is exactly the same. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titration" rel="nofollow - It's called Titration . Chemists have used this method of chemical analysis for centuries and they still use it commonly today. BTW, Alk and Ca test kits is all I buy. When I want to check Mg, maybe 2-3 times/year, I ask a friend or LFS. I almost always test for Alk and Ca together every 2-4 weeks which means that 100 tests will last for a couple years. I don't need a pH test because I know that when there is good water movement to the surface, gas exchange is good and good pH follows good Alk. I can tell that Nitrogen pollution is not a problem when I see coral opening up, algae growing normally and when the tank smells like the ocean. That's my 2 cents. Aloha, Mark  ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
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Posted By: laynframe
Date Posted: October 03 2013 at 10:54am
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ive pretty much have had them all and my favorite is red sea that has 3 kits in one, does cal alk and mag, fast and accurate! best yet! ------------- The time we enjoy wasting isn't wasted time!!!! |
Posted By: ReefdUp
Date Posted: October 03 2013 at 1:45pm
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I used to use Salifert, but I won't go back after using Red Sea. Here's a link to my blog on with a comparison of the two brands: http://www.reefdup.com/2012/03/04/red-sea-test-kits-versus-salifert-test-kits/" rel="nofollow - http://www.reefdup.com/2012/03/04/red-sea-test-kits-versus-salifert-test-kits/ And, I should mention, some of our great LFS have much better pricing on the Red Sea kits than online. ------------- www.reefdup.com Diving since 2009, reefkeeping since 2007, & fishkeeping since 1987 200g, 75g, & 15g Systems PADI Advanced Open Water |
Posted By: Snowsrfr
Date Posted: October 03 2013 at 2:18pm
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I have an Elos Calcium kit (only used a couple times), and I think I have a couple others that I'm not using. (I'll check when I get home). Free. I'll even ship them down to you in Provo. Free. Couple different brands so you can do a little comparison shopping. Just let me know if you're interested. ------------- "A fish tank is not a pet. It's a TV that you gotta feed." - John Caparulo |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: October 03 2013 at 3:10pm
Nikki, that blog is crazy talk.  I keep my Salifert boxes on a shelf. They last long enough. Salifert kits are easier to use, you said so yourself. 15% difference in results, yet we don't know which test result was most accurate, but in fact it really does not matter and here is why. We speak of keeping these water parameters within quite a wide range, so +/- 15% means almost nothing when Alk can occupy a range of 8-12(40% range). Even at $49.99, because there are only 75 tests, Red Sea test kits are still more expensive per test than Salifert. I don't care what Test kit you use but you can't argue with the math. See ya tonight. ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
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Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: October 03 2013 at 3:48pm
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So it seems it is already on and the meeting doesn't start for almost 4 hours! -------------  |
Posted By: ReefdUp
Date Posted: October 03 2013 at 4:46pm
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You're right - you can't argue with the math. Salifert makes more sense economically if you have very high levels of chemicals (which most people don't...that's why they test.) Red Sea makes more sense economically for the average reefkeeper who uses a lot of titrant. (From Marine Depot): Salifert Calicium: $21.99 for 50-100 tests ($0.22-$0.44 per test) Salifert Alkalinity: $16.99 for 100-200 tests ($0.09-$0.17 per test) Salifert Magnesium: $21.29 for 50 tests ($0.43 per test) Red Sea Calcium/Alkalinity/Magnesium: $49.99 for 210-250 tests (75, 75, 60-100, respectively) ($0.20-0.24 per test) Refill kits: Ca ($10.99), $0.15 per test Alk ($9.99), $0.13 per test Mag ($11.49), $0.12-$0.19 per test If you bought all three Salifert tests, you'd be out $60.27, compared to $49.99 for the Red Sea (lower price initially). Your average price for the Salifert tests is about $0.17 to $0.30. Your average price for the Red Sea tests is $0.24. So, they're about right on par with each other, depending on how much titrant you need. If you go with the refills versus all new Salifert kits, then...well, the winner is obvious. Salifert kits are also getting much harder to find. There have been several times when I was unable to find them locally...or even online due to production backlogs, shipping (literally), etc. I'd say the Salifert kit is only easier on the Magnesium kit...that's about it. The color change is much more noticeable on the Red Sea kit. Plus, Red Sea does a better job batching and testing for accuracy. Remember a few years back when Salifert had the bad alkalinity test kits...and hundreds of people fried their SPS? Although Salifert Alk now comes with a "standard", Red Sea actually guarantees their accuracy. ------------- www.reefdup.com Diving since 2009, reefkeeping since 2007, & fishkeeping since 1987 200g, 75g, & 15g Systems PADI Advanced Open Water |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: October 03 2013 at 4:49pm
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Interesting. I've always used and been happy with Salifert. Maybe I need to reconsider the relationship . . . ------------- |
Posted By: ReefdUp
Date Posted: October 03 2013 at 4:52pm
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Yeah, I used Salifert for 5 years... It took not being able to find a magnesium kit AT ALL to make the switch. I didn't think I was going to like the Red Sea, but I'm happy. Did I mention...the Red Sea kits use glass vials? The Salifert plastic ones etch and are known to actually skew test results over time. ------------- www.reefdup.com Diving since 2009, reefkeeping since 2007, & fishkeeping since 1987 200g, 75g, & 15g Systems PADI Advanced Open Water |
Posted By: DLindquist
Date Posted: October 03 2013 at 9:20pm
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Red Sea here! ------------- A government strong enough to give you everything you want, is powerful enough to take everything you have. |
Posted By: 1stupidpunk
Date Posted: October 04 2013 at 5:56am
| Also, did i mention that my dad can beat up your dad? But in reality i think either salifert or red sea are both good test kits, the API test kits on the other hand are lacking.. just my thoughts. |
Posted By: Blake
Date Posted: October 04 2013 at 10:13am
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Thanks to everyone for the information! This forum is awesome and super helpful! So far I haven't killed anything in my tank because I've felt well informed :) When I run out of my current testing supplies for nitrate, nitrite, and ammonia is Red Sea also a good brand to use for those tests? Also, I assume the the "pro" test refill kits are the refills I'd use for Red Sea? I didn't know if there was a none "pro" version or anything that was less expensive. Thanks again to everyone for the great information! The help is soo much appreciated.
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Posted By: Molli
Date Posted: October 04 2013 at 10:28am
Once your tank is up and running for awhile you might feel as though you don't need to frequently test for nitrates, nitrites and ammonia (unless you see something unexpected occurring in your tank). So whatever you purchase, watch for expiration dates.
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Posted By: ReefdUp
Date Posted: October 04 2013 at 10:40am
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I agree with Molli. After about the first year or when you feel comfortable with your tank, testing for ammonia, nitrate, and nitrate is not very worthwhile. Once the tank is fully cycled, you should stop seeing ammonia and nitrite. For this reason, the cheap kits are still ok if you want to keep testing. I haven't used the red sea ammonia/nitrite/nitrate kits. I think red sea just calls the new kits "pro" to.distinguish from their old line of kits that weren't so great. ------------- www.reefdup.com Diving since 2009, reefkeeping since 2007, & fishkeeping since 1987 200g, 75g, & 15g Systems PADI Advanced Open Water |
Posted By: Corey Price
Date Posted: October 06 2013 at 7:39pm
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I have used both and used the Salifert kits for years. However, I prefer the Red Sea kit. One kit covers calcium, magnesium, and alkalinity, in a very nice hard plastic storage case. Corey |