What test kit do I need

Sweetheart

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May 31, 2008
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For a saltwater tank would I need a master test kit, or something else?
 
API and Salifert are a couple of the more commonly used test kit brands for saltwater. If you need all of the tests that come in the master kits, you could buy that. Are you looking for test kits for a fish only / fish only with live rock or for a reef tank?
 
I just need a test kit that tells about the ammonia,nitrite, and nitrate. Just a regular master test kit
 
API is what I use and it works great for me
 
For those parameters, API works well enough. For more precise measurement of calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium, I recommend Elos.
 
I use the Master API kit for the basics (Amonia, PH, Nitrate, Nitrite) and then Calc, Mag, Alk, Phos I use individual Salifert kits. Never tried ELOS so can't comment.

Amp: are the ELOS kits all better than the Salifert?
 
I have the ELOS Mag test kit and I have yet to get it to work. I didn't want to become a certified chemist to test aquarium water.
 
I bought the Elos kit and I can't get it to tell me any thing. :(
Which kit are you having trouble with? I'd be happy to help out. I've noticed that when I notice an odd result, it is usually my fault, not the kit, so there is always possible user error. Then you could also have a potential bad batch, but that has only happened to Elos once that I'm aware of.

EDIT: NM. You have issues getting the magnesium kit to work? It is very similar to their calcium kit. What results are you getting out of it.

I use the Master API kit for the basics (Amonia, PH, Nitrate, Nitrite) and then Calc, Mag, Alk, Phos I use individual Salifert kits. Never tried ELOS so can't comment.

Amp: are the ELOS kits all better than the Salifert?

From what I've seen and experienced, yes. I suppose some of the other kits are fairly comparable, like calcium, nitrate, and magnesium, but I don't trust salifert's alkalinity kits in the slightest. Even if you don't get all Elos kits, their alkalinity test is worth it and is only very slightly more expensive. It lines up well with LaMotte, Hach, etc. kits.
 
Which kit are you having trouble with?

The the magnesium kit. I have just about used up the products with no changes as described in the instructions.

First step using "A" I get to 28 drops to change the colors as stated, but from there, nothing looks as it's suppose to.
 
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