Test Kits, are they reliable?

[Ronjunior]

Wanting to know if poeple have used the API Aquarium Pharmaceuticals or Instant Ocean test kits and have they been fairly reliable. The other brand, Salifert is a little rich for my blood at this point.

[blown65]

These guys have pretty good prices on Salifert and the few on RC seem to say they are fine to order from.

 

http://www.everythingreef.com/

[drock59]

if you search the internet you can find Salifert relatively cheap. Also, i hear that seachem is pretty reliable. Do yourself a favor and invest in a decent test kit. It seems i use mine less and less as my experience grows, but when you need them, they are vital.

[Reefin']

i never was a believer in them(AP), but recently decided to test them againt salifert . i compared the calcium and KH tests.....i just did a retest and with the AP test kit KH was 10dkh and with the salifert kit it was 10.8 dkh...the calcium AP kit showed between 420 ppm and with the salifert calcium kit 430 ppm........i personal like the salifert kits , but not the price... so i use both brands. i use the AP kits twice a week and the salifert once a week to stretch out the salifert kits......IMO thats the best way to go...HTH

[impur]

I use AP usually. A fraction of the price and accurate enough when things are doing well. If a coral or critter looks a little PO'd i break out the salifert for exact readings.