API test kits

[uklau]

Hi, for those who are using API test kits such as NH4, NO2, NO3, GH/KH, any comments on those test kits? I'm planning to get myself some test kits but do not know which brand are good one.

Thanks in advance.

[uklau]

Looks like nobody is currently using these test kits. Don't mind sharing with me what you guys out there are using? Thanks.

[PeterGwee]

My personal experience is don't bother with the test kits anymore unless you calibrate them before use to ensure that they are accurate within the range you want. Hach and LaMotte fair well in terms of accuracy and consistency but still needs verification from known standards. They ain't cheap though and do you want to spend $100++ on test kits to test every now and then? EI rules out nutrient issues if you dose not based on test results and all that is left is basically CO2.

Regards,
Peter Gwee

[uklau]

Thanks for sharing your valuable experience, Peter.

[the_r0ck]

Well, I did use a couple of their test kits though most of them ain't mine. I agree with Peter that unless necessary you don't really have a use for them.

I only used the NH4, NO3 and GH.KH kits a couple of times before when I set up a new tank to monitor the cycling and honestly the test kits are pretty OK. Nothing fantastic and I had to calibrate it first by checking with a known mixture to ensure its accuracy.