[rjs5134]

Is there an alternative to the standard test kits?? I hate the color charts and don't believe they can be very accurate. My nitrates are almost always at zero, but I have a pretty heavy cyano outbreak.

[tray262]

I use the Seachem kits, They seem to be on the ball. I really like them. As far as an alternative, the are meters for some things but not all. As far as the cyano goes, is your skimmer working right ? That was my cause. Also where are you phosphates ? Probally 0 because the cyano is using it all. Also, do you have a refug w/ Macros ? The macro will compete with the cyano for nutients. Which will help. Good luck and keep your head up.

[Reefland]

What test kits are you currently using? The most recommended brands are Salifert and LaMotte.

[leebca]

With an outbreak of organisms that feed off of nitrate, it would not be unlikely that your nitrates would be low. Low nitrates is a 'double-edged sword.' If low, it is good if they are being exported or denitrification is occuring. If low, it is bad if there are tank organisms eating it causing unsightly or unwanted visual expressions of their presence.

By the above I mean that your kit could be doing quite well.

[rjs5134]

I have ph, Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, Phosphate kits from Aquarium Pharmaceuticals, Alkalinity from Red Sea and Calcium test from Nutrafin. I don't necessarily think the test kits are not working well, I just think they could be a little subjective. I always try to test the water when others are around to get their opinion on the results. Figured I'd be replacing them shortly with Salifert.

First and foremost will be replacement of the skimmer, it has been a problem for some time now.

[leebca]

You're right that reading the test can be tricky. People see different colors and that makes the test relative to the person doing the color comparison. I find the worst ones are the ones trying to measure pH. I think it's worth it to own a field pH meter (less than $80).

The best test kits don't use 'shades' of colors for quantitative measurements, instead they use a change in color. You will probably find the use of a mixture of test kits more useful. For instance, when it comes to measuring nitrites, I almost always use the Red Sea test kit. The colors change pretty differently at different concentrations of nitrite (although you want "0").

Anyway. . .Good luck!

[golfish]

I've never been happy with any test kits... I've used Salifert, La Motte, Hach and a few others (kind of like the Seachem) The PO4 kits have to be the worst. I bought a Hannah PO4 colorimeter last year and just love it. Its by far the best thing to use to check your DI carts. Its one of the best investments I've made for my reef.