Best of 2019 Featured Gear! ➡ Hanna Alkalinity Checker : brs.li/BRS_HannaALK_Checker ➡ Tropic Marin : brs.li/BRS_TropicMarin_KHpro ➡ Salifert Alkalinity Test Kit : brs.li/BRS_Salifert_Alkalinity
When checking DKH in the effluent drip of a calcium reactor reefers are looking for 25 to 30 DKH , but the Hanna checker max reading is 20 DKH , I am assuming one would need to dilute the sample , so i was hoping you could touch base on this or add any recommendations to test effluent in calcium reactor.
Really like these comparison videos. It allows us to see just what’s involved in each brand. As to how easy to use and if it’s even worth it. Needing to get a phosphate test kit please hurry to do that one haha
I love these shows, extremely beneficial to newbies and even seasoned reefers alike! I wish this type of info was available back in the beginning of my saltwater/reefing journey lol so new folks enjoy the info available especially from brs cause at 1 time it wasn't available and life was more live and learn then lol Great job guys as usual
Thanks Ryan & Randy for taking the time to put forth your input on testing multiple test kits. Personally i will be using Hanna products as there are no color charts to deal with and having a digital read out with precision accuracy is a key point for me. 😁
I despise titration tests. I'm klutzy so I knock over the vials, and I lose track of the drops...can't wait to use the Hanna! I found the Red Sea test trying, if not outright infuriating because I kept messing up and having to redo it. It didn't have a too-far color when I used it, either, and I was never sure when to stop.
RYAN PLEASE NITRATE NITRATE NITRATE NITRATE NITRATE. This is the most problematic test for reef tankers and most of them only measure low nitrate. If you have high Nitrate most of tests in the market will hide the right result. According our tests only SERA No3 works well. Congratulations on these Test Videos!
That tm kh kit that was first is how a lot of pool test kits work testing for the exact same things as we test for and are way cheaper and depending on the type can be way more accurate. I’ve been using pool testing kits for a lot of my aquarium testing for a while now. Marine specific items like nitrates salinity etc are the only things I test for with actual aquarium agents.
That tropic marin is nearly the same as API. I admit that I like it because it is so fast and so easy. Knowing within one DKH (or .5 if you like) is close enough for most applications and likely within the margin of error for most testers.
1 of the best features of a Neptune Apex that no one talks about is the log for tests. No conversion or math needed. Just type in the number and select your test kit. It’ll tell you.
Salifert is the clear winner 😎 once hanna prices become more realistic it would be a contender for first place...£75 is the cheapest here in the UK totaly extortionate and the costing per test works out completely ridiculous
I like the Hanna but I have found that doing a test every 2 or 3 days, by the time I get to the end of the regent there is a BIG jump on the start of the new reagent. I don't think the reagent lasts well once it is opened and as such it drifts with time. (I make sure I immediately close the bottle after removing the 1 ml so stop evaporation)
You’re confusing accuracy and precision. Your comparison to the average is actually precision and not accuracy because you’re not using a known standard to calculate actual accuracy.
If anyone would like the directions to make a dKH solution of 9.33, I can give that to you. Just need soda ash, a mg scale and a 1Liter volumetric flask.
LameUFO you need sodium carbonate. Dry it in an oven or keep in a dessicator. To make a 166.66 ppm alkalinity solution, weigh out 0.166 grams. Add to a 1-Liter volumetric and bring to volume with RO/DI water. The 166.66 ppm is equivalent to 9.33 dKH. ( I’ve downscaled this from the usual 500 ppm solution using 0.5 grams.). The solution is only good for a week as it will pick up CO2 from the air.
Once you get used to hanna you will never go back! I just found out mine isnt working right after I ordered calibration fliud! Good thing I did because the meter got hot on the stove while cleaning and If i had not of just ordered the tester fluid I may have tried to correct my alk and killed all my corals! I am now using the redsea until I get a new hanna and I hate it! I wish there was a cheaper option though! How is the nyo's? Why didint you test theirs? I love the nyo's for nitrates. I need to either reorder a hanna or find something different! Just to hard to tell the blue to green color change with red sea and it doesnt immediately go from green to yellow either if you went to far! The tropic marin pro seems like it might work for me but no way would I pay that much per test when hanna is so simple and cheaper! I literally dont even need a syringe! I just put vial in tank to fill line! It seems the refilsl come out to way more than what you guys say though! I do test alk a lot so maybe just seems like it!
Why do you guys always use the range of a bunch of random test results that are all over the place to find an average and assume this average is an accurate result. Wouldn't it make more sense to send a sample to a professional lab to find the TRUE value and then compare your test result against that?
Fair point for sure! For me the biggest takeaway from the data was the consistency of each kit and how that relates to things like ease of use and ease of end point reading.
Problem with Hanna is that if it’s off, you’re screwed. I noticed on my calcium that it was super high and it didn’t make sense. Got the salifert and it was a little high, but not overly so. Think it’s not calibrated anymore
I put to the test 2 Alkalinity test kits of the same brand. Red Sea Pro vs Red Sea Marine. The results were concerning. I tested multiple times and the results were always: 7.7 vs 8.5. A difference of 0.8 KH. I'm lost now, I don't know what to trust...smh.
Red Sea test kit (and probably others) do NOT accidentally drip any of the fluid on the syringe and touch it, you WILL smear off the ink that shows the levels. Happened to me after about 4 usages, now I don't see what the values are from about 0.7 to 0.5, luckily I aim for my KH to require more than 0.5 but still. I really wish they would have not gone cheap with the syringe, the upside is you can buy a case of 100 those syringes on Amazon for like $10, so 10 cents a syringe not a horrible thing... but WTF do I need with the other 95 syringes over the life of the test kit?
These are the ones I referenced in the video with backward graduations. :) www.bulkreefsupply.com/1ml-graduated-syringes-hi740142p-hanna-instruments.html
Wow! I just left the same comment! I bought some from amazon too but but the plunger on it wasnt coming out to the same point when it seemed like I drew out 10 ml, so I took off the plunger from the ones they have and used them with the syringe, but a big hassel. I ended up buying a hanna checker for that reason. I was checking alk alot, at the time because I am fixing to start 2 part to raise my alk. I havnt actually opened the hanna so might return it. I will look again on amazon. It was from a kit that had all different sizes of syringes!
That air pocket can be deceiving, but I assure you that the pocket comes from using the tips on the syringes and drawing a sample to the full 1mL mark will yield you 1mL. :)
I would get a hanna tester but the refill reagant is insanely pricey, 1$+ a test and 60$ upfront? No thanks. (Also the calcium and magnesium checlers suck
Unfortunately we didn't have those available to us prior to the testing we did for the test kit video or this Best of 2019, but we'll watch for it to hit next year's Best Of!
Most big box stores just stock API, as you've noticed. As far as the smaller stores go, it's really up to the ownership. If you want to see them carry other brands, just ask :)
Something about the Red Sea brand just doesn’t gel with me. Their test kits read high in my experience and while they seem to be a bit higher quality with the plastic cases and laminated cards they still feel cheap. I tried their salts my tank has never looked worse. Their very expensive tanks seem to have a lot of limitations. Their new skimmers look extremely gimmicky and their new lights look look like just another me too product. I have used LaMotte in the past it is a good kit. I test alk nearly daily and my go to is and has been for years the Hanna. Will continue using it until I can get my hands on a trident.
For any test kit that involves a syringe, a major upgrade that you will not regret is to buy a Hamilton 1mL syringe. They aren't cheap ($42) but they are glass with a teflon seal, are incredibly accurate and will last a lifetime. www.hamiltoncompany.com/laboratory-products/syringes/81320
![COLOMBIA vs. CHILE [4-0] | RESUMEN | ELIMINATORIAS SUDAMERICANAS | FECHA 10](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/TDjN4W3yy1k/mqdefault.jpg)
Best of 2019 Featured Gear!
➡ Hanna Alkalinity Checker : brs.li/BRS_HannaALK_Checker
➡ Tropic Marin : brs.li/BRS_TropicMarin_KHpro
➡ Salifert Alkalinity Test Kit : brs.li/BRS_Salifert_Alkalinity
if you want to know why do they do the reverse on most test kits it's because if you go over 1 you can calculate it easier
What size tank is behind you in this video?
When checking DKH in the effluent drip of a calcium reactor reefers are looking for 25 to 30 DKH , but the Hanna checker max reading is 20 DKH , I am assuming one would need to dilute the sample , so i was hoping you could touch base on this or add any recommendations to test effluent in calcium reactor.
The two thumb scale is the equivalent of the test that’s one drop for 1dkh, when the color change might happen around 1.75 thumbs. :)
Ha! THIS COMMENT should ALSO have more THUMBS!
This is exactly the type of content I wish I could do, I've watched every minute of it, bravo to BRS crew!
I also share the same thought globally.
FUlly agreed!
SO awesome to hear feedback like this! Thanks!
Really like these comparison videos. It allows us to see just what’s involved in each brand. As to how easy to use and if it’s even worth it. Needing to get a phosphate test kit please hurry to do that one haha
I love these shows, extremely beneficial to newbies and even seasoned reefers alike! I wish this type of info was available back in the beginning of my saltwater/reefing journey lol so new folks enjoy the info available especially from brs cause at 1 time it wasn't available and life was more live and learn then lol Great job guys as usual
Thanks Ryan & Randy for taking the time to put forth your input on testing multiple test kits. Personally i will be using Hanna products as there are no color charts to deal with and having a digital read out with precision accuracy is a key point for me. 😁
Ryan is such a wise judge when it comes to details. Definitely worth listening to his thoughts. Thanks guys :-)
The Salifert test here in Portugal costs 8.90€ and if you use the low resolution it allows 200 tests, which comes down to 0.045€ per test.
The best part of this is the respect you show the manufacturer!
Yes!!! Pls do 1 for other types of tests!!!! Very very beneficial for all!!! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Thanks for hard working , becasue of these videos I start understand water test chemistry
I despise titration tests. I'm klutzy so I knock over the vials, and I lose track of the drops...can't wait to use the Hanna! I found the Red Sea test trying, if not outright infuriating because I kept messing up and having to redo it. It didn't have a too-far color when I used it, either, and I was never sure when to stop.
Thanks again for making these videos.
There exactly what I want to see.
I can’t wait for you guys to do phosphate and nitrate test kits.
I'm a salifert person. I must admit the earlier instructions were just a word description of a colour so the new ones with the pictures 👍👍.
Great job as always . Videos on kit for most common test is a great idea
RYAN PLEASE NITRATE NITRATE NITRATE NITRATE NITRATE. This is the most problematic test for reef tankers and most of them only measure low nitrate. If you have high Nitrate most of tests in the market will hide the right result. According our tests only SERA No3 works well. Congratulations on these Test Videos!
LameUFO is not my case dude. But reality to hundred of reeftankers that at some point abandon the hobby.
please do this for all of the test kits you mentioned!!! Would love it and help me buy with confidence.
Salifert is the way I test calcium, ALK, and MAG. It gets the job done. I use API for the basic stuff like Ammo, nitrite, and nitrate.
That tm kh kit that was first is how a lot of pool test kits work testing for the exact same things as we test for and are way cheaper and depending on the type can be way more accurate. I’ve been using pool testing kits for a lot of my aquarium testing for a while now. Marine specific items like nitrates salinity etc are the only things I test for with actual aquarium agents.
I wouldn't trade my hanna tester for anything. I wish their calcium and magnesium test were as good.
That tropic marin is nearly the same as API. I admit that I like it because it is so fast and so easy. Knowing within one DKH (or .5 if you like) is close enough for most applications and likely within the margin of error for most testers.
Love this content, please do the other main tests as you were thinking!!
Salifert syringe vs red sea syringe. 😅😂 upside down reading. Sooo true...
great greAT GREAT!!! Waiting for the nitrate and the phosphate tests now
You bet these videos are great.
Will be a nice set for myself to watch and great for the beginner.
Hanna regents sometimes have a drift from bottle to bottle, one time i get one that was reading 3 dkh more that the other tests ...
Thanks Guys great information Hanna 👍👍
Good practical video. The tips/caps on the syringes (orifice) seem to very from kit to kit, Red sea seems the worst, may explain salifert (drop size)
Hanna checker and Salifert backup for me
Really like the info. Keep it up and do the whole gamut of parameters
I would like to see more test kits be arthritis friendly and have less variables like the LaMotte plus a nice case.
Definitely do the other tests!!!! Love you guys.
Regarding the Hanna, I find it the more complicated to do because of having to clean the vial twice.
Just keep water in it in between testing.
You can just clean the vial on your shirt if you put finger prints on it. So easy to do
I personally use the DI Water dip and paper towel wipe between tests.
My salifert is spot on 9.3 every time. I change nothing in my tank. I trust it super much.
Edit: Be sure to test at the same time of day.
Aquaforest is so easy to get two change colour steps unlike salifert. Also always matches my icp id say your user error makes you not like it as much.
I genuinely struggle to consistently pick out the colour change on the Salifert test, so I'm considering using Red Sea in future.
Yes yes yes. Please do a review of the other test that you mentioned.
1 of the best features of a Neptune Apex that no one talks about is the log for tests. No conversion or math needed. Just type in the number and select your test kit. It’ll tell you.
@Bulk Reef Supply
Maybe something to show in a video ?
Salifert is the clear winner 😎 once hanna prices become more realistic it would be a contender for first place...£75 is the cheapest here in the UK totaly extortionate and the costing per test works out completely ridiculous
you can get them for £65 on Amazon UK usually. Seems out of stock right now.
Nitrate! Nitrate! Nitrate! Nitrate!
Homemade. Alkanity is somewhat easy to produce at home and check against Referenz. And it is so cheap that you can't calculate
definitely interested.
gunna make me buy Hanna checkers , it seems. :)
Hanna by far, so quick and easy. Leaves zero room for interpretation.
I like the Hanna but I have found that doing a test every 2 or 3 days, by the time I get to the end of the regent there is a BIG jump on the start of the new reagent. I don't think the reagent lasts well once it is opened and as such it drifts with time. (I make sure I immediately close the bottle after removing the 1 ml so stop evaporation)
Hint, put the instructions with the color change chart into a ziplock sandwich bag to prevent the paper from getting wrecked by water.
The raed sea test works well when using fusion.
Regarding accuracy, I’d make a reference Alkalinity solution to judge accuracy. But then again, I’m a chemist.
You’re confusing accuracy and precision. Your comparison to the average is actually precision and not accuracy because you’re not using a known standard to calculate actual accuracy.
If anyone would like the directions to make a dKH solution of 9.33, I can give that to you. Just need soda ash, a mg scale and a 1Liter volumetric flask.
LameUFO you need sodium carbonate. Dry it in an oven or keep in a dessicator. To make a 166.66 ppm alkalinity solution, weigh out 0.166 grams. Add to a 1-Liter volumetric and bring to volume with RO/DI water. The 166.66 ppm is equivalent to 9.33 dKH. ( I’ve downscaled this from the usual 500 ppm solution using 0.5 grams.). The solution is only good for a week as it will pick up CO2 from the air.
Looks like somebody argued with a scientist and lost to the point of deleting their comments. Lol..oh boy. People are just great.
Kinda wish they had api in the mix just to get a reference
Look forward to the next test kits.
Love it! Calcium next!
Next Friday!
Once you get used to hanna you will never go back! I just found out mine isnt working right after I ordered calibration fliud! Good thing I did because the meter got hot on the stove while cleaning and If i had not of just ordered the tester fluid I may have tried to correct my alk and killed all my corals! I am now using the redsea until I get a new hanna and I hate it! I wish there was a cheaper option though! How is the nyo's? Why didint you test theirs? I love the nyo's for nitrates. I need to either reorder a hanna or find something different! Just to hard to tell the blue to green color change with red sea and it doesnt immediately go from green to yellow either if you went to far! The tropic marin pro seems like it might work for me but no way would I pay that much per test when hanna is so simple and cheaper! I literally dont even need a syringe! I just put vial in tank to fill line! It seems the refilsl come out to way more than what you guys say though! I do test alk a lot so maybe just seems like it!
Phosphate test kit review would be great
TM Kh seems just as simple as API KH you should compare it.
Why do you guys always use the range of a bunch of random test results that are all over the place to find an average and assume this average is an accurate result. Wouldn't it make more sense to send a sample to a professional lab to find the TRUE value and then compare your test result against that?
Fair point for sure! For me the biggest takeaway from the data was the consistency of each kit and how that relates to things like ease of use and ease of end point reading.
Would love to see a deep dive on nitrate.
The syringe numbers wear off quickly for me, so not a fan in general of using those to measure....
awesome video, it was helpful.
Salifert all the way, i don't even need to read the manual because i can memorize all the steps
Problem with Hanna is that if it’s off, you’re screwed. I noticed on my calcium that it was super high and it didn’t make sense. Got the salifert and it was a little high, but not overly so. Think it’s not calibrated anymore
Regents only last 30 days once opened, regardless of expiration dates. This was confirmed by hanna rep
plz do Magnesium next.
Any chance you guys selling the BRS Golf Shirts or the Hat on your site?
We're always looking at new Swag ideas!
What was the consistency like on the KH pro?
lololol no mistaking 7.8 hahhahah, you gotta be colorblind to get it😂😂👍👍
What about API? That’s what I use!! 😂
👍🏼 for the time stamps
Super good video!! Congrats @reefsilva
Very informative..👍
Lov frm
Marine reefers
I put to the test 2 Alkalinity test kits of the same brand. Red Sea Pro vs Red Sea Marine.
The results were concerning. I tested multiple times and the results were always: 7.7 vs 8.5.
A difference of 0.8 KH. I'm lost now, I don't know what to trust...smh.
Do one for ph please
Red Sea test kit (and probably others) do NOT accidentally drip any of the fluid on the syringe and touch it, you WILL smear off the ink that shows the levels. Happened to me after about 4 usages, now I don't see what the values are from about 0.7 to 0.5, luckily I aim for my KH to require more than 0.5 but still. I really wish they would have not gone cheap with the syringe, the upside is you can buy a case of 100 those syringes on Amazon for like $10, so 10 cents a syringe not a horrible thing... but WTF do I need with the other 95 syringes over the life of the test kit?
These are the ones I referenced in the video with backward graduations. :) www.bulkreefsupply.com/1ml-graduated-syringes-hi740142p-hanna-instruments.html
Wow! I just left the same comment! I bought some from amazon too but but the plunger on it wasnt coming out to the same point when it seemed like I drew out 10 ml, so I took off the plunger from the ones they have and used them with the syringe, but a big hassel. I ended up buying a hanna checker for that reason. I was checking alk alot, at the time because I am fixing to start 2 part to raise my alk. I havnt actually opened the hanna so might return it. I will look again on amazon. It was from a kit that had all different sizes of syringes!
Thanks!
Another great video:)...thanks BRS!
Syringes never fill up to 1 ml...so you can't go by what's left... you likely started with .9ml:(
That air pocket can be deceiving, but I assure you that the pocket comes from using the tips on the syringes and drawing a sample to the full 1mL mark will yield you 1mL. :)
I would get a hanna tester but the refill reagant is insanely pricey, 1$+ a test and 60$ upfront? No thanks. (Also the calcium and magnesium checlers suck
What about the Nyos test kit?
Unfortunately we didn't have those available to us prior to the testing we did for the test kit video or this Best of 2019, but we'll watch for it to hit next year's Best Of!
Why don't they sell these brands at local fish stores. The only test kit brand i see is from API
Most big box stores just stock API, as you've noticed. As far as the smaller stores go, it's really up to the ownership. If you want to see them carry other brands, just ask :)
What light is on the tank behind you?
That is the light mount that comes with the Red Sea Max-S aquariums 🙂
@@BRStv Ah, okay, thank you!
Something about the Red Sea brand just doesn’t gel with me. Their test kits read high in my experience and while they seem to be a bit higher quality with the plastic cases and laminated cards they still feel cheap. I tried their salts my tank has never looked worse. Their very expensive tanks seem to have a lot of limitations. Their new skimmers look extremely gimmicky and their new lights look look like just another me too product.
I have used LaMotte in the past it is a good kit. I test alk nearly daily and my go to is and has been for years the Hanna. Will continue using it until I can get my hands on a trident.
Can you use an api Alk rest too?
Certainly there's quite a few reefers out there that like the API style kits!
You guys are funny
@1:11 this is incorrect technique, you do not pump the syringe in water to eject air from the dead volume.
👍
First comment and love the videos of BRS
What is the best test kit for KH?
Hanna gets my vote! -Randy :)
Its hard to understand your comparision. Seems like big differences in results. Im dissapointed. Changing channel
For any test kit that involves a syringe, a major upgrade that you will not regret is to buy a Hamilton 1mL syringe. They aren't cheap ($42) but they are glass with a teflon seal, are incredibly accurate and will last a lifetime.
www.hamiltoncompany.com/laboratory-products/syringes/81320
So API is just garbage? They seem to sell that brand everywhere
You dont sound professional as i used to know you. Too much slips of a tongue