Salifert VS Red Sea Reef Foundation Pro Test Kit

DRC Archive General Saltwater Discussion
1

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.

These test kits have been out there for a while, and I never like to buy the first boat load of anything. At this point I think there have been enough “field trials” that I’m willing to give them a try. For now I’m only going to try the Ca, Mg and Alk for comparison vs Salifert.

First consideration was the cost,. I used BRS since they sell both brands and used the “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.

                                            [u][i][b]Salifert[/b][/i][/u]

Week 1 Ca = 410 Week 2 Ca = 400 Week 3 Ca = 420 7/7/2012 Ca = 410
Week 1 Mg = 1350 Week 2 Mg = 1340 Week 3 Mg = 1340 Mg = 1350
Week 1 Alk = 8.6 Week 2 Alk = 9.3 Week 3 Alk = 8.9 Alk = 8.6

                                          [u][i][b] Red Sea Pro[/b][/i][/u]

Week 1 Ca = 400 Week 2 Ca = 390 Week 3 Ca = 410 7/7/2012 Ca = 400
Week 1 Mg = 1360 Week 2 Mg = 1350 Week 3 Mg = 1350 Mg = 1350
Week 1 Alk = 8.4 Week 2 Alk = 9.0 Week 3 Alk = 8.7 Alk = 8.5

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.

2

Great info ::thumbsup::

i preffered the salifert Mg over the red sea myself… i use api for everything else though…

3

[quote=“saltcreep, post:2, topic:4884”]
Great info ::thumbsup::

i preffered the salifert Mg over the red sea myself… i use api for everything else though…[/quote]

Yea, the RS Mg test was more labor intensive with adding the reagent A five times and mixing for 15 sec’s between drops, although I do prefer the drops over the dry reagent/spoon method. But, at twice the tests for half the cost, the added couple of minutes seems palatable.

4

Haha… thats the biggest reason i hated that kit… counting 5 drops… 15 secs each… i lost track so many times of which drop i was on verdict_in

5

I think the numbers speak for themselves.
i’m unsure what they are saying though. maybe it’s my ears, worthless, but, the numbers seem to me to say that they are consistently in line with each other. go with ease and price.

6

Its a good start for a comparison. It would be better if you had a control though, after many years of watching mythbusters its easy to see that the best results are from when you test something you already know the number on. Like testing pure water with a refractometer to calibrate it to 0.

If there is a way to be 100% sure the water is 500ppm calcium and then test it with both tests to see which is right would be amazing.

7

Well there ya go…

http://www.marineandreef.com/Pinpoint_Calcium_Calibration_Fluid_American_Marine_p/RAM00401.htm

8

I just re tested these two kits for accuracy yesterday, and posted the results below.

[quote=“Downbeach, post:1, topic:4884”]
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.

These test kits have been out there for a while, and I never like to buy the first boat load of anything. At this point I think there have been enough “field trials” that I’m willing to give them a try. For now I’m only going to try the Ca, Mg and Alk for comparison vs Salifert.

First consideration was the cost,. I used BRS since they sell both brands and used the “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.

                                            [u][i][b]Salifert[/b][/i][/u]

Week 1 Ca = 410 Week 2 Ca = 400 Week 3 Ca = 420 7/7/2012 Ca = 410
Week 1 Mg = 1350 Week 2 Mg = 1340 Week 3 Mg = 1340 Mg = 1350
Week 1 Alk = 8.6 Week 2 Alk = 9.3 Week 3 Alk = 8.9 Alk = 8.6

                                          [u][i][b] Red Sea Pro[/b][/i][/u]

Week 1 Ca = 400 Week 2 Ca = 390 Week 3 Ca = 410 7/7/2012 Ca = 400
Week 1 Mg = 1360 Week 2 Mg = 1350 Week 3 Mg = 1350 Mg = 1350
Week 1 Alk = 8.4 Week 2 Alk = 9.0 Week 3 Alk = 8.7 Alk = 8.5

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.[/quote]

9

In scientific terms these results are negligible. First you need a true base line, like a spectrometer reading on the actual levels. Second the results aren’t that far apart when you enter in human error, i.e. one squeeze of the dropper was a fatter drop. Precision would be weighing the fluids before you use them in the test.

If the mythbusters did these tests they’d say both were equal in accuracy.

10

looks like a real good comparison. its not worth testing by weighing in the drops lol. when I test I don’t weigh drops in. My decision is based on ease of use and staying with the same kit so i can keep it as stable as possible. does the red sea need rodi water for the calcium test?

11

[quote=“dunk, post:10, topic:4884”]
looks like a real good comparison. its not worth testing by weighing in the drops lol. when I test I don’t weigh drops in. My decision is based on ease of use and staying with the same kit so i can keep it as stable as possible. does the red sea need rodi water for the calcium test?[/quote]

No, its all just your DT’s water.

12

Now that the Red Sea Kit has been proven to consistent with the Salifert kits I use, I may switch when I use up what I have left. It would be nice if there was refills for Salifert. The cost savings is more than I realized.

[quote=“Downbeach, post:1, topic:4884”]
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.[/quote]
They could easily fix this with an updated instruction sheet with a reference chart like the one in the Salifert kit. They give people alot of credit, I know a few that are not so good at basic math.