Views on Test Kits

[Exodus]

So, I have been using API, Red Sea, & Hanna Test kits and after checking my calcium levels the same question that always comes to mind in reference to Red Sea Test kits finally got thee best of me and I decided to post to get others input. II first of all typically test with Hanna, then every so often cross check with Red Sea to compare and in my case today Hanna Checked 426 & Red Sea checked 420 obviously relevant results that match with such a small margin of variation, but my question is unlike the API kits when adding reagent to a Red Sea test there is a point when the water turns blue , but if it sits anywhere from 5 ~ 20 Seconds it will go back to purple, I always figured I would add a little more reagent to get it to stay blue and figure that as the result. While Calcium isn't to bad the Magnesium Test kit on the other hand is a PITA as it will turn purple after sitting there for a minute and really makes me wonder.

 

So I have not used Salifert Mag or Calc, and was wondering do they have a similar changing delay, and what do others do in regards to the color going back to purple?

 

 

[ChrisQ]

Salifert is sharp and instant

[Exodus]

Salifert is sharp and instant

That's good to hear, I'm wondering because my Red Sea Foundation kit expires in 01/17 So I'm looking into my options

[lonny.]

I use hannah for alk and nyos for cal, mag, no3, po4. The nyos kits say when the color changes it must remain that color for 30sec. If it doesn't add more till it does.

 

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

[xmas_one]

I use Red Sea kits for Ca and alk, I had the same problem. I recently picked up a new toy that takes a great deal of the guesswork out of titration testing. https://sraquaristik.com/product/speed-test/Pretty expensive, but man it works great.

[TheClark]

Second ChrisQ.

 

Salifert is my goto these days.  It's a personal choice but over time more and more of my kits are now salifert.  

 

They have some nice features, like reference solution for testing alk.  I just find the tests more repeatable and in general easier to read.

[youcallmenny]

Salifert is nice but I really dislike that you can't screw the bottle on to the titration rig. Red Sea has remained my go to. I find it to be easier and more accurate. Hannah checkers have been really inconsistent for me.

[R-3]

I have a bunch of Salifert test kits. Only used twice. Let me know if you are interested

[Exodus]

I really appreciate the input, I know Salifert is a very trusted brand in the hobby and has been for years (I have used their Nitrates/PO4 Test in the past) I had just never used the Calc/Mag and was hoping there may be a difference in the color change making it a bit easier to read. So being my test kits are up soon I'll probably looking to swap out the brands

 

I have a bunch of Salifert test kits. Only used twice. Let me know if you are interested

I'm looking primarily for Calcium & Magnesium kits, when do the ones you have Expire?