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View Full Version : kH Testkit Review: Salifert VS Mini Labor

BarraCuda™
19-09-2004, 08:15 PM
Salifert KH Testkit

http://www.arofanatics.com/members/barracuda/marinesetup/image51.jpg


Steps involved : 2
Resolution : min 0.3 dKH
Tests capacity : 100-200 tests
Instructions : Easy
Pros : can measure in High or Low resolution, higher resolution >0.3dKh, Easy reference from dKH to meq/L.
Cons : expensive, flimsy package

Salifert kH testkit is easy to use and the choice of using high/low resolution enables the user to get more tests from the kit. User have to make sure that the lower end of the black piston syringe reached 1ml. User also have to make sure that the items dont drop out of the flimsy box. Measured 8.6dKH for my tank.

Mini Labor KH Testkit

http://www.arofanatics.com/members/barracuda/marinesetup/image52.jpg

Steps involved : 2
Resolution : min 1 dKH
Tests capacity : 100-200 tests
Instructions : Easy
Pros : solid container, cheaper
Cons : "leaky" reagent nozzle, low resolution >1 dKh.

The ML kH testkit comes in a solid container so that none of the items will drop out of the container. Similar to salifert but lacking in some. This testkit can only measure dKH in whole numbers lacking in the resolution in saliferts. Measurement requires counting the drops of KH2 reagent, user may have to retest if lost count/distracted. KH2 reagent have a "leaky" nozzle, it will drip when inverted eventhough no pressure is excerted on the bottle. User have to drip the bottle vertically upright and not sideways as the drop size is slightly different. Measured 7dKH for my tank.
monsterz1975
19-09-2004, 10:41 PM
I find that salifert test kit is better , that why i switch all of them to salifert.
wlchew
19-09-2004, 11:01 PM
I find that salifert test kit is better , that why i switch all of them to salifert.

Both are good. It is just a matter of preference. :p I use both Salifert and Mini-Labor...after bad experience with SERA. :eek:
BarraCuda™
19-09-2004, 11:05 PM
Both are good. It is just a matter of preference. :p I use both Salifert and Mini-Labor...after bad experience with SERA. :eek:
Not sure why but my mini labor can never match the readings from salifert.
monsterz1975
20-09-2004, 12:30 AM
Not sure why but my mini labor can never match the readings from salifert.
so which got the correct reading? :rolleyes:
acbmw2002
29-09-2004, 02:01 PM
i tested my tank, KH was always low using mini labor, after i bought salifert there is a huge different.

mini labor - 7
Salifert - 9

2dKH differences, nv use mini labor again :o
Ekia
29-09-2004, 05:23 PM
i tested my tank, KH was always low using mini labor, after i bought salifert there is a huge different.

mini labor - 7
Salifert - 9

2dKH differences, nv use mini labor again :o

based on the first hand experience by both of u.. the difference in kh between Salifert and Mini-Lobor is always around 2, with the latter being the lower one... so which one is the true value??? hmmmm
BarraCuda™
29-09-2004, 05:47 PM
based on the first hand experience by both of u.. the difference in kh between Salifert and Mini-Lobor is always around 2, with the latter being the lower one... so which one is the true value??? hmmmm
I cant confirm but I would think its salifert. Salifert is a well known brand commonly used worldwide and shouldnt have such problems.
monsterz1975
29-09-2004, 10:15 PM
Last time i use other 5 in 1 test kit my KH always low but i use salifert it show higher reading.
BarraCuda™
29-09-2004, 11:30 PM
Last time i use other 5 in 1 test kit my KH always low but i use salifert it show higher reading.
if you are talking abt those 5in1 strip .. those testkits are no where accurate
monsterz1975
01-10-2004, 01:08 AM
if you are talking abt those 5in1 strip .. those testkits are no where accurate
Yes those strip and now stop using and they are not cheap too.$35 for 25 test. :(
Ekia
01-10-2004, 08:17 AM
Yes those strip and now stop using and they are not cheap too.$35 for 25 test. :(

thats very very expensive..... :(
Ekia
05-02-2005, 02:04 AM
Just bought a Salifert kH testkit and did a test immediately. It shows a kH of 7.

Did another test using mini-labor and it shows 4. Now I know why I can never push my kH above 8 using mini-labor. Any higher might cause precipitation. In fact, it should already happened many times before but I didnt notice it.

From the results of the few reefers, kH measured by mini-labor is consistently lower than that of Salifert. Salifert should be the one more accurate judging by my observations for the past few months.
monsterz1975
05-02-2005, 02:06 AM
Just bought a Salifert kH testkit and did a test immediately. It shows a kH of 7.

Did another test using mini-labor and it shows 4. Now I know why I can never push my kH above 8 using mini-labor. Any higher might cause precipitation. In fact, it should already happened many times before but I didnt notice it.

From the results of the few reefers, kH measured by mini-labor is consistently lower than that of Salifert. Salifert should be the one more accurate judging by my observations for the past few months.
haha must have waste alot of $ on pushing KH.:p
Ekia
05-02-2005, 09:50 AM
haha must have waste alot of $ on pushing KH.:p

Not that much... I'm using baking soda which is quite cheap.
monsterz1975
05-02-2005, 09:54 AM
Not that much... I'm using baking soda which is quite cheap.
Haha not so bad.:p