Red Sea test kits

Discussion in 'Product Review Archives' started by verbal, Nov 30, 2003.

to remove this notice and enjoy 3reef content with less ads. 3reef membership is free.

  1. verbal

    verbal Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2003
    Messages:
    60
    Location:
    Piermont, NY,New_York
    Hey everyone,
    Just wanted to put my 2 cents in about Red Sea test kits. I got one on sale (cheap). I'm not happy with it though. The alkalinity test doesn't give numbers, only low, normal, or high. The color matching for some tests (ie nitrite) is rough at best - I've done this test three times now and haven't come close to any of the colors on the card.
    I know I should just get the Salifert kits.
    Wondering if anyone likes the Red Sea tests, though.
     
    verbal, Nov 30, 2003
    verbal, Nov 30, 2003
    #1

    2. Click Here!

  2. Matt Rogers

    Matt Rogers Kingfish

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2000
    Messages:
    13,466
    Location:
    Berkeley, CA
    We used to use Red Sea kits at the store I worked at like ten years ago. Didn't seem to mind them then, but I sure hear a lot of people rip on them now.

    I use SeaChem kits and don't have many complaints, they seem to work well. Although I am not the best at distinguishing colors.

    I am too poor for Salifert kits. ::)
     
    Matt Rogers, Nov 30, 2003
    Matt Rogers, Nov 30, 2003
    #2
  3. Land_Fish

    Land_Fish Guest

    I for one am red green color blind like most males are. (just different shades).
    I find most test kits colors don't match even when I get the wife to verify the color. It was so bad with pH testing I bought a life saving pH meter for 55 bucks that are now in the 30 dollar range if you look hard.

    Out of all the tests I find red seas test the worst and not accurate. Like most people I am on a budget and Salifert is high dollar. If I need a test I now use Aquarium Systems test which are the easiest for me to read.
     
    Land_Fish, Nov 30, 2003
    Land_Fish, Nov 30, 2003
    #3
  4. turbo4603

    turbo4603 Teardrop Maxima Clam

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2003
    Messages:
    834
    Location:
    Miami,Florida
    turbo4603, Nov 30, 2003
    turbo4603, Nov 30, 2003
    #4
  5. Land_Fish

    Land_Fish Guest

    Wow prices are high up in Canada!
    I have used a couple with no problem.
    On the pH tests I us a meter cause of the color blind thing and I get accurate readings which is the biggest plus in my book.
     
    Land_Fish, Nov 30, 2003
    Land_Fish, Nov 30, 2003
    #5
  6. Jason McKenzie

    Jason McKenzie Super Moderator

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2003
    Messages:
    5,538
    Location:
    Vancouver, BC,Canada
    I generally use Salifert tests. But for Ammonia I use Hagen. The colour change from 0.00 to 0.03 is greater with the Hagen. As for price I wouldn't shop at Big Als if it were the last store in Canada.
    Our best online store (and it happens to be local is www.jlaquatics.com

    They are great

    J
     
    Jason McKenzie, Nov 30, 2003
    Jason McKenzie, Nov 30, 2003
    #6

    7. Click Here!

  7. Scuba

    Scuba Fire Shrimp

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2003
    Messages:
    302
    Location:
    Mid-west, Illinois
    I have been useing Aquarium Pharmaceuticals saltwater master liquid test kit (not real happy with it, but with limited funds)
     
    Scuba, Nov 30, 2003
    Scuba, Nov 30, 2003
    #7