1st thought about API.. piece of wood with hole drilled and slit cut in should mean you always read it the same with no tipping over. API does have their Saltwater master test kit and Reef master test kit which I believe come in plastic boxes, each containing the test kits for multiple parameters. Worth mentioning there is a difference between phosphate and phosphorus for the hanna checker. Get the one you want.
Love the API saltwater master test kit. I still use it all the time, although half of my vials leak when I shake them... Good idea with the piece of wood. I though it would be cool if their master test kit included a little stand. That would be top notch! And yes, good to note that there are different Hanna phosphate checkers available!
Well done. I love the practicality of your content. We need some young PhD chemist reefer out there to come up with a spectroscopic absorption method for testing PO4 and NO3, much like the old Spec 20 we all used in undergrad. I hate testing.
I have the Red Sea Phosphate Pro test and my vials fit perfect into the holder. Both seat correctly. I'm wondering if you had mistakenly swapped the vials from a different Red Sea test because I also have their Marine Care Multi Test kit and those vials are just a tad larger.
Yeah, I think you are right about the swapping. Must have done that. But why would the other test kit vials be slightly different sizes? Different manufacturers maybe? I think it's time to do some reswapping of vials!
@@MyFirstFishTank That's my only assumption. They also have different caps I've noticed. The multi test kit has plastic caps with logos and some additional design differences where as the pro tests don't have a logo and there's almost a foil type of liner in them as well.
One question, one comment. Did you compare all the kits to see which are the most accurate??... assuming the majority would be the most accurate. I’ve seen mini funnels in stores or online... maybe they would ease the use of powdered reagents . Thanx Matthew
Hey Jeff. For the first series I did on ammonia test kits, I tried to compare the kits against each other, but the sample size just wasn't big enough. For this phosphate test kit, I did not do a comparison as to which was most accurate. And honestly, that was just do to laziness! I could have figured out a way to get an accurate phosphate sample but just didn't want to do the extra work! But, I can say, that the only one of these kits I had issues with was the Seachem. The rest were just fine. A mini funnel, now that's not a bad idea. I've definitely gotten the opening of those little powder packs down, but for a beginner, they are tough! So something like a mini funnel would be super helpful I think!
I can never get over the fact that API test kits are always the cheapest and should always be the easiest. None of the other manufacturers are able to manage liquid additives across the entire range of their kits. There’s always at least a couple of kits that need little scoops of powder or hard to open foil satchels. API is just a few drops from one, two or three little bottles and shake. The biggest complaint so far with them has been “the vials are small and might tip over.” Not sure how API doesn’t sweep the board with cheapest and easiest on every kit. I’d understand if their accuracy wasn’t as good but everything I’ve read says they’re pretty solid. Frankly, after the AU$100 plus I just spent on the Hanna LR Nitrate kit and what a freaking pain in the butt that turned out to be, I’m probably just going back to API across the board.
I know right? API test kits are just such a good value for the price. They are not necessarily my favorite, but when you compare their nitrate test to the Hanna low range nitrate test kit, well you get it! Have you tried out the Hana high range nitrate test kit? It is a game changer with only one reagent
Good comparisons to the many used phosphate kits out there. It helps when people can actually see the cost break down per test. Thanks Matthew. Hanna is go to for the same reasons you shared. 😁
The problem with the API test kit as it's not accurate I was getting one type of reading with the API and with the good test kit a different API test kits are good for your cycling a tank ammonia nitrite I don't trust them for too many other tests
Ha, true, true. That reminded me of the SNL Surprise Party skit. "Oh my God... I forgot about her face! That's the best part!" Guess it's just a style preference. Although, I have started to wipe my face off more because you can see things like tissue from blowing my nose and mustard from lunch! Thanks for commenting and hope you don't have nightmares with my face involved! :-)
Red sea always gives 0.04 no matter what and the Hanna never gives the same reading within 10mins of each other,I have wasted so much money......stop chasing numbers in a reef tank,that's what works for me.
hate hanna ,, different result in 10 minute test first one 0.11 next one ( like 5-6 minute later ) 0.03 ,, same with alk everytime i open a new bottle i have different result , which bottle has the correct result ? first one 8 next test new bottle 9.4 ,, no more Hanna for me
I totally understand. Some of the Hannah tests I really like and some of them I don't. For example I am not a fan of the calcium checker. I've always had problems with that one. But I'm a huge fan of the high range nitrate checker and I heavily rely on the alkalinity checker and phosphate checker
Really? I guess I've always assumed it was correct. What makes you think it is wrong? I'm assuming you've tested it against some sort of known quantity? What is your favorite phosphate checker?
@@MyFirstFishTank I was so excited to get a hannah checker but heard so many complaints about them that I won't touch them now. Honestly I think all the tests out there are crap. People will test their Nitrates and phosphates and then send thier water off to be lab tested and none of them are even close. I think it was reefdork who used a hannah and the lab read phosphates as FIVE TIMES HIGHER! wtf
1st thought about API.. piece of wood with hole drilled and slit cut in should mean you always read it the same with no tipping over. API does have their Saltwater master test kit and Reef master test kit which I believe come in plastic boxes, each containing the test kits for multiple parameters. Worth mentioning there is a difference between phosphate and phosphorus for the hanna checker. Get the one you want.
Love the API saltwater master test kit. I still use it all the time, although half of my vials leak when I shake them... Good idea with the piece of wood. I though it would be cool if their master test kit included a little stand. That would be top notch! And yes, good to note that there are different Hanna phosphate checkers available!
Well done. I love the practicality of your content. We need some young PhD chemist reefer out there to come up with a spectroscopic absorption method for testing PO4 and NO3, much like the old Spec 20 we all used in undergrad. I hate testing.
Well, you know a lot more than I do! "spectroscopic" is above my paygrade! Thanks for the kind words and thanks for leaving a comment!
Loving the videos! You explain things very well.
Glad you like them! Thanks for watching and commenting!
My hanna checker+extra reagent arrived today on the post.good video👍
Love the hanna checker! I go through so many reagents every week that I've started buying the boxes with 100!
I have the Red Sea Phosphate Pro test and my vials fit perfect into the holder. Both seat correctly. I'm wondering if you had mistakenly swapped the vials from a different Red Sea test because I also have their Marine Care Multi Test kit and those vials are just a tad larger.
Yeah, I think you are right about the swapping. Must have done that. But why would the other test kit vials be slightly different sizes? Different manufacturers maybe? I think it's time to do some reswapping of vials!
@@MyFirstFishTank That's my only assumption. They also have different caps I've noticed. The multi test kit has plastic caps with logos and some additional design differences where as the pro tests don't have a logo and there's almost a foil type of liner in them as well.
Great video can you do more like this alk, nitrate, mag, cal
Thanks Vincent! I'm actually going to film the calcium video today! Won't be out for a few weeks though! Thanks for watching and commenting!
One question, one comment. Did you compare all the kits to see which are the most accurate??... assuming the majority would be the most accurate. I’ve seen mini funnels in stores or online... maybe they would ease the use of powdered reagents . Thanx Matthew
Hey Jeff. For the first series I did on ammonia test kits, I tried to compare the kits against each other, but the sample size just wasn't big enough. For this phosphate test kit, I did not do a comparison as to which was most accurate. And honestly, that was just do to laziness! I could have figured out a way to get an accurate phosphate sample but just didn't want to do the extra work! But, I can say, that the only one of these kits I had issues with was the Seachem. The rest were just fine. A mini funnel, now that's not a bad idea. I've definitely gotten the opening of those little powder packs down, but for a beginner, they are tough! So something like a mini funnel would be super helpful I think!
@@MyFirstFishTank Just not too too small or it will clog... you might need a toothpick then
I can never get over the fact that API test kits are always the cheapest and should always be the easiest. None of the other manufacturers are able to manage liquid additives across the entire range of their kits. There’s always at least a couple of kits that need little scoops of powder or hard to open foil satchels. API is just a few drops from one, two or three little bottles and shake. The biggest complaint so far with them has been “the vials are small and might tip over.”
Not sure how API doesn’t sweep the board with cheapest and easiest on every kit. I’d understand if their accuracy wasn’t as good but everything I’ve read says they’re pretty solid. Frankly, after the AU$100 plus I just spent on the Hanna LR Nitrate kit and what a freaking pain in the butt that turned out to be, I’m probably just going back to API across the board.
I know right? API test kits are just such a good value for the price. They are not necessarily my favorite, but when you compare their nitrate test to the Hanna low range nitrate test kit, well you get it! Have you tried out the Hana high range nitrate test kit? It is a game changer with only one reagent
What about accuracy?
Before I watch the whole thing I’m going to say Hanna as it’s my favourite
Ding, ding, ding! You are right!
Good comparisons to the many used phosphate kits out there. It helps when people can actually see the cost break down per test. Thanks Matthew. Hanna is go to for the same reasons you shared. 😁
I'm moderately color blind so its the Hanna ULR phosphorus for me.
for sure!
Nice video. And I agree with you
Thanks Dwight!
Lol,did you a actually check for accuracy,means a lot in a reef tank.
Did you use the same water in all the test kits?
Yes, from the same tank for sure.
iodine/iodide test kits?
Yeah, need to do those minor elements next! I'm currently using the Red Sea Trace Colors Pro for my Iodine and it works just fine.
@@MyFirstFishTank Thanks, just got the red sea iodine test
The problem with the API test kit as it's not accurate I was getting one type of reading with the API and with the good test kit a different API test kits are good for your cycling a tank ammonia nitrite I don't trust them for too many other tests
yeah I get that. I use api primarily for ammonia, and that's really about it. Works great for that though!
Good content on your videos. But,,, your face pressed up to the camera is kinda weird.
Ha, true, true. That reminded me of the SNL Surprise Party skit. "Oh my God... I forgot about her face! That's the best part!" Guess it's just a style preference. Although, I have started to wipe my face off more because you can see things like tissue from blowing my nose and mustard from lunch! Thanks for commenting and hope you don't have nightmares with my face involved! :-)
Red sea always gives 0.04 no matter what and the Hanna never gives the same reading within 10mins of each other,I have wasted so much money......stop chasing numbers in a reef tank,that's what works for me.
hate hanna ,, different result in 10 minute test first one 0.11 next one ( like 5-6 minute later ) 0.03 ,, same with alk everytime i open a new bottle i have different result , which bottle has the correct result ? first one 8 next test new bottle 9.4 ,, no more Hanna for me
I totally understand. Some of the Hannah tests I really like and some of them I don't. For example I am not a fan of the calcium checker. I've always had problems with that one. But I'm a huge fan of the high range nitrate checker and I heavily rely on the alkalinity checker and phosphate checker
Api phosphate is useless as it have no love level,maybe for fish only tank
which is your favorite test kit for phosphate?
@@MyFirstFishTank Elos and Ati
Of course, the two I've never used! Are you USA based? Those tests just don't seem to be as common around here!
@@MyFirstFishTank I'm from Europe
Got it, that makes more sense! We can still get those test kits, but they cost a lot more over here in the states!
The hanna give me never accurate results all time wrong..
Really? I guess I've always assumed it was correct. What makes you think it is wrong? I'm assuming you've tested it against some sort of known quantity? What is your favorite phosphate checker?
@@MyFirstFishTank I was so excited to get a hannah checker but heard so many complaints about them that I won't touch them now. Honestly I think all the tests out there are crap. People will test their Nitrates and phosphates and then send thier water off to be lab tested and none of them are even close. I think it was reefdork who used a hannah and the lab read phosphates as FIVE TIMES HIGHER! wtf