My supply of Salifert test kits was getting low, so I decided to give the new Red Sea Pro test kits a try.
I bought the Red Sea Reef Foundation Pro kit, which includes tests for: Ca, Mg and Alk.
First consideration was the cost, I used BRS since they sell both brands and used "preferred customer" pricing. I did not consider the current 10% discount they are offering on the Red Sea Product.
Salifert, Ca, Mg and Alk kits total: $61.20
# of tests/cost
Ca = 50 @ $ 23.40/kit $.48 ea./per test
Mg = 50 @ $ 24.30/kit $.49 ea./per test
Alk = 100 @ $13.50/kit $.14 ea./per test
Red Sea Reef Foundation Pro Kit: $49.99
# of tests/cost (using refill costs)
Ca = 75 @ $13.00/refill $.17 ea./per test
Mg = 100 @ $12.00/refill $.12 ea./per test
Alk = 75 @ $12.00/refill $.16 ea./per test
There is a real cost savings with the Red Sea kits. But, how did they test out as far as accuracy?
I've done three sets of tests now over the last three weeks.
Salifert
Week 1 Ca = 410 Week 2 Ca = 400 Week 3 Ca = 420
Week 1 Mg = 1350 Week 2 Mg = 1340 Week 3 Mg = 1340
Week 1 Alk = 8.6 Week 2 Alk = 9.3 Week 3 Alk = 8.9
Red Sea Pro
Week 1 Ca = 400 Week 2 Ca = 390 Week 3 Ca = 410
Week 1 Mg = 1360 Week 2 Mg = 1350 Week 3 Mg = 1350
Week 1 Alk = 8.4 Week2 Alk = 9.0 Week 3 Alk = 8.7
I think the numbers speak for themselves. I will continue to monitor these tests until my Salifert kits are used up.
The one caveat here is that the Red Sea kit calculation is determined by taking your end point reading from the plunger in the syringe and deducting it from the 1mL you started with, to determine how much of the titrant was used, i.e. if the reading on the syringe is .37 you used .63, which is the number you need to determine your reading. It isn't hard, but you have to do the math, and I see it as an area for potential human error. The Salifert kit just gives you the reading without the user having to do any additional calculations.
I bought the Red Sea Reef Foundation Pro kit, which includes tests for: Ca, Mg and Alk.
First consideration was the cost, I used BRS since they sell both brands and used "preferred customer" pricing. I did not consider the current 10% discount they are offering on the Red Sea Product.
Salifert, Ca, Mg and Alk kits total: $61.20
# of tests/cost
Ca = 50 @ $ 23.40/kit $.48 ea./per test
Mg = 50 @ $ 24.30/kit $.49 ea./per test
Alk = 100 @ $13.50/kit $.14 ea./per test
Red Sea Reef Foundation Pro Kit: $49.99
# of tests/cost (using refill costs)
Ca = 75 @ $13.00/refill $.17 ea./per test
Mg = 100 @ $12.00/refill $.12 ea./per test
Alk = 75 @ $12.00/refill $.16 ea./per test
There is a real cost savings with the Red Sea kits. But, how did they test out as far as accuracy?
I've done three sets of tests now over the last three weeks.
Salifert
Week 1 Ca = 410 Week 2 Ca = 400 Week 3 Ca = 420
Week 1 Mg = 1350 Week 2 Mg = 1340 Week 3 Mg = 1340
Week 1 Alk = 8.6 Week 2 Alk = 9.3 Week 3 Alk = 8.9
Red Sea Pro
Week 1 Ca = 400 Week 2 Ca = 390 Week 3 Ca = 410
Week 1 Mg = 1360 Week 2 Mg = 1350 Week 3 Mg = 1350
Week 1 Alk = 8.4 Week2 Alk = 9.0 Week 3 Alk = 8.7
I think the numbers speak for themselves. I will continue to monitor these tests until my Salifert kits are used up.
The one caveat here is that the Red Sea kit calculation is determined by taking your end point reading from the plunger in the syringe and deducting it from the 1mL you started with, to determine how much of the titrant was used, i.e. if the reading on the syringe is .37 you used .63, which is the number you need to determine your reading. It isn't hard, but you have to do the math, and I see it as an area for potential human error. The Salifert kit just gives you the reading without the user having to do any additional calculations.
