Elos or Salifert test kits who do you trust????

[toyencounters]

I just tested my alkalinty with Elos and Salifert 2 times each! Elos is giving me a dkh of 8.5 Salifert is giving me a dkh 9.6 who should I trust???:squigglemouth:

 

[toyencounters]

As we know these test kits are not cheap they should be more accurate!

 

[Troylee]

i have used sailfert in the past but i found the only true thing i can trust is my corals fwiw they respond i respond they tell me when there happy.... sucks but that's the best way i have found.... i test one time when i initially set the tank up and go from my corals then on.... prolly not the best advice but after you have watched corals daily for years you learn these things...

 

[Salty Dog]

i have used sailfert in the past but i found the only true thing i can trust is my corals fwiw they respond i respond they tell me when there happy.... sucks but that's the best way i have found.... i test one time when i initially set the tank up and go from my corals then on.... prolly not the best advice but after you have watched corals daily for years you learn these things...

I agree 100%

I have elos, salifert and hanna and they all read different by 1-1.5 points.. Your corals make the final decision

 

[fish&corals]

+1 the corals know better then the test kit ..

 

[toyencounters]

Ok! but sometimes you have to test especially alkalinity in my opinion who makes a more accurate test kit?

 

[Troylee]

I always used API for alk and calcium...

 

[SAZAMA]

thats why they give you the checker solution but dont mess around with alk its like RTN's cousin

 

[Coral Pimp]

elos works best for me!

 

[Bouncingsoul39]

I trust Salifert over Elos. To me, Salifert has a good reputation and has been around a while so I tend to go with them. Elos is expensive and makes high end stuff but they haven't been around that long. The fact that Salifert does batch testing, has expiration dates, and includes reference solutions I think adds to their credibility. They also seem to be more simple to me than the Elos which some seem overly complicated. When I had to use the Elos mag test at the store i was working at I was like really?? I need to do math for this? The other thing I consider is that I'd prefer to buy test kits and supplements from a company that specializes in it. That way I think you more likely to get a quality product. Salifert stays in business by producing supplements and test kits where as Elos primarily makes aquarium kits and also sells supplements and test kits. If you get my line of thinking...I'm not trying to bash Elos by an means. Just my preference.

 

[Salty Dog]

elos or salifert are the top kits to get you close, Once you have coral in your tank, you can see what works better for them. Slowly bringing up the Alk or dropping it down, raising or lowering calc,mag, temp ect. It takes time to dial it all in. My family calls me the crazy scientist

 

[BigFeesh]

I love my hanna checker for alk!!

 

[toyencounters]

Hanna I have and don't trust at all!

 

[lps1212]

I personally use salifert but after helpin Fab1971 out with his elos testin kits I am likeing them also might use both now

 

[Bugg_zy]

I have used both and use only the Salifert now. The 2 main reasons are depending on how you use the dropper bottle I feel drops can vary in size coming out of the Elos bottle, and also if say you’re 6 year old comes running into the room to distract you, you won’t have to remember how many drops you have added. I hate the fact the kits read about a point off from one another. I think if your tank is looking really good and your corals are happy test the tank. Then whatever that number is, on whatever test kit you decide to stick with…use with that number as your target value. Just one reefers option though.

 

[warlock4x4]

they all suck IMO! I have tested with 3 different one at the same time and had readings all over the place. Red Sea sucks also! I still test but only as a guide of high lower or middle. Corals tell you everything

 

[spscrazy]

it would be good to have a reliable test kit if you are having a problem with your corals yeah they can tell you "we got a problem" but they are terrible at telling me what exactally the problem is could be alk ph etc etc without a good acurate test kit you won't know which one is off

 

[toyencounters]

good point!

 

[Troylee]

Sure it does... Calcium I have never tested, alk to high burnt tips stn, to low stn slowed growth, mag chalices receeding if it's to low or bleaching when there to high... Po4 means brown sticks and slow growth, if your mag and alk is good your calcium is also...

 

[rkaires]

Having used both over the years I trust Elos. Too much disparity from kit to kit with Salifert.