Whats is your favorite and most reliable water test kits?

[cdeakle]

It's that time again to restock on water testing supplies. I generally use the Jungle quick dip test kits because I like how easy dip strips are and there pricing is very affordable.

This time around I might be willing to pony up a little extra dough for higher quality test kits if this means higher acuracy as well.

What kits do you guys/gals prefer and believe to be the most acurate? Please list any pros and cons and your opinions.....

 

[jandree22]

LFS...

Pro - probably most accurate and thorough

Con - You gotta drive there

 

[MattM]

For the best combination of

• Ease of use
• Accuracy
• Price
• Readability

pH, Ammonia, Phosphate, Copper - Aquarium Systems
Alkalinity, Calcium, Nitrite, Nitrate - Tropic Marin
Silicate, Strontium, Iodine, Magnesium - Salifert

 

[cdeakle]

Thanks for all the info MattM!

 

[cdeakle]

anybody else?

I wanted to give Salifert a shot because thats what most of you voted for but this kinda pisses me off:

8O Note: Due to the recent rise of the Euro against the Dollar, our costs for obtaining Salifert products has been greatly increased. Price Matching is not available for these test kits at this time.

I would rather spend my money in the good ole USofA but who knows....

 

[J.Howard]

FWIW I've used Rea Sea for many years. Only gripe is I feel they change a little with age. Had an ammonia test go weird since I had an old established tank and didn't test for it often. I replaced that with a Salifert but still use Red Sea for other tests and they still seem accurate. Not domestic, but good deal for the complete kits.

 

[cdeakle]

Sailfert is whoopin some serious tail in this poll.......

 

[baseman]

Well, sorry I didn't vote, because I use different 4 different kits.
pH - Aquarium Systems
Alk, Ca, Nitrites, Nitrates - Tropic Marin. Seachem (Ca)
Mg - Salifert

If it sounds like it follows MattM's recommendations, it's probably because I bought most of the kits from his store. 8)

 

[LFS42]

I use SERA kits
from Germany

there not the cheapest,
but by far the easiest and most reliable I've used

from the list, I would go with salifert

 

[Clownkeeper]

Saliferts for me all the way!

Troy

 

[reefland]

Personally I like Hach and LaMotte kits. Initial cost is higher, but refills are very cheap. Come with Material Safety Data Sheets so you know what kind of chemicals you are dealing with. Best of all they are not designed for aquarium trade so they are very good quality.

Some pictures of the test kits I have used so far:

http://www.rl180reef.com/pages/testkits ... _frame.htm

 

[cdeakle]

Thanks for all the help guys!

I will either get Sailfert or Lamotte. More than likely Sailfert because of all the votes...

Any more votes?