Best Aquarium Test Kits?

Dear Fellow Fish Nerds,

Which brand has the best aquarium water test kits? I think I have used most of them at one time or another, but preferred Salifert until I started using the Red Sea test kits. API is decent too in my opinion. Elos and Nyos are two that I have not used yet.

What do you think? Whose test kits do you prefer?

Thanks!
Mike

 

Dear Fellow Fish Nerds,

Which brand has the best aquarium water test kits? I think I have used most of them at one time or another, but preferred Salifert until I started using the Red Sea test kits. API is decent too in my opinion. Elos and Nyos are two that I have not used yet.

What do you think? Whose test kits do you prefer?

Thanks!
Mike

Hanna Instruments

 

API is the most recommended, probably because it's widely available, and most confuse that with it being the best; but with the amount of people that have come on here to post pictures to help them match colors on the test tubes to colors on the chart, I'd just call it okay. I personally prefer Elos, though I've also heard good things about Salifert.

 

API is widely available and accurate enough for the average fishkeeper. Its the best BUDGET test kit.

But the best overall test kit would be LaMotte according to Dr Novak, its what the professionals use. I voted other.

 

Salifert for the win! Especially since they are cheaper than API in Europe.
By the way I seriously can't believe how you even included tetra tests. Last time I was using one it wanted the water to be in a specific temperature for it to work but that was 10 years ago.

 

I like the Seachem Nitrite/Nitrate test kit... simple to do, and uses minimal water & test chemicals. One drop of solution for the Nitrite test, and when it's complete, one tiny scoop of powder that you stir in for the Nitrate test. No crazy bottle shaking like API! Results are fairly easy to determine from the colour chart (at least I find it easier to determine than some of the API results.) Reasonably priced as well.