Salfert test kits

[Bob]

Wouldn't you know. I have been trying to purchase a new Alkalinity test kit (prefer Salfert 'cause I am used to them) and it seems everyone is out. There seems to be a manufacturing problem. No store I have visited has one, several say they are on back order and nobody seems to know when they will become available.

 

I just got a new kalk stirrer and need to do some frequent testing. HELP! Anybody have an extra kit to sell or loan or does anyone know where there might be one available???? Thanks Bob

[scott711]

Wouldn't you know. I have been trying to purchase a new Alkalinity test kit (prefer Salfert 'cause I am used to them) and it seems everyone is out. There seems to be a manufacturing problem. No store I have visited has one, several say they are on back order and nobody seems to know when they will become available.

 

I just got a new kalk stirrer and need to do some frequent testing. HELP! Anybody have an extra kit to sell or loan or does anyone know where there might be one available???? Thanks Bob

 

Premiumaquatics has them

 

I haven't done my order yet, so if you want it let me know.

[Bob]

Thanks Scott. I went ahead and ordered express. Its interesting to note though..... This seller is out of the magnesium test kits. Something is going on w/ Salfert. I wonder what? Appreciate the help everyone, thats what makes the club so good. Bob

[rsarvis]

Just saw this thread. I bought a new salifert alk test last week, but still have some left in my old one, so i could give the remainder to you. Looks like you have it covered, though. Let me know if otherwise.

 

I bought the magnesium test kit, too, (from pacific east) but they are out as well. hmmm.

 

Thanks Scott. I went ahead and ordered express. Its interesting to note though..... This seller is out of the magnesium test kits. Something is going on w/ Salfert. I wonder what? Appreciate the help everyone, thats what makes the club so good. Bob

[YBeNormal]

Habib (owner, CEO, chief chemist, head of customer relations, senior quality assurance analyst and apparently the only employee in the Salifert manufacturing and distribution division) has been AWOL for a couple of months now. This happened once before that I know of, around March of this year and right about the time that the Salifert forum on RC was beginning to be flooded with reports of defective test kits.

 

He was AWOL for about three months that time, then returned to the RC forum and seemed to slowly be getting a handle on the test kit issues, mailing out reference solutions and replacement test kits to everyone reporting issues. Then people began complaining again a couple of months ago about changes to dropper bottle, syringes, shades of test kits dyes--followed once again by a rash of reports of defective test kits. Habib then dropped out of sight again and hasn't posted since. Check out the RC vendor forum and you will get an idea of how extensive the problems are.

 

I've pretty much given up on Salifert. My current test kits seem to be accurate as far as I can tell (older ones but not yet expired). Once these are used up I will probably switch to another brand--as many other reefers have already done.

[Bob]

Would any of you "old salts" recommend a brand of test kit to replace the Salfert brand? Thanx Bob

[johnnybv]

Before everyone jumps ship, rumor has it Salifert is coming out with a new "profesional" line. SUpposed to me more accurate that the regular ones, I believe they are going to replace the ones out now. My guess is they want to sell out of the current ones before the new ones hit the market. Again this is nothing but here say, but it may be an explaination.

[YBeNormal]

John,

 

I hear what you are saying but whether the kit is labeled "professional", "amateur" or "blue-light special" really doesn't make a difference if the vendor (1) cannot keep their inventory levels maintained and shops go months at a time without product, (2) different batches and even different kits within the same batch produce widely differing results, (3) the vendor does not have an email address, does not answer his phone and his web page has been "under construction" for years and (4) the vendor disappears for months at a time, usually right after a rash of defective product reports, leaving all of his customers with no support and maybe a few dead corals.

 

Yes, I know Habib is supposedly setting up a manufacturing/distribution center in the U.S. and I also knw that he claimed to be creating a better, more accurate line of products during his brief return to RC before going AWOL again. If he runs the new garage like he is running the current garage though, it'll just be more of the same.

 

The fact is that the current batch of Salifert products on the market suffers from an extreme lack of quality control. The fact that they are continuing to be shipped and sold under the premise that only a few of them are bad says a lot to me. Salifert is going to have to make a major change in his their business practices before regaining my trust.

[Brian Ward]

2 questions here:

1- I have a question about the Salifert NH4 test. Step 1 says to use the 5ml syringe to add 2ml of water to the test vial. My kit came with a 2ml syringe. Can anyone tell me if these numbers are reversed or if they just changed the syringe the kit comes with. 2nd step is correct in saying to use the 1ml syringe to add .5ml of test reagent, followed by the other .5ml

 

2- Are there any local or online vendors stocking the Elos test kits? Listed as Analytical Test System under Saltwater products. http://www.elosusa.com

[treesprite]

2 questions here:

1- I have a question about the Salifert NH4 test. Step 1 says to use the 5ml syringe to add 2ml of water to the test vial. My kit came with a 2ml syringe. Can anyone tell me if these numbers are reversed or if they just changed the syringe the kit comes with. 2nd step is correct in saying to use the 1ml syringe to add .5ml of test reagent, followed by the other .5ml

 

2- Are there any local or online vendors stocking the Elos test kits? Listed as Analytical Test System under Saltwater products. http://www.elosusa.com

 

 

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_searchItem~I...dorcode~EO.html

 

They only have phosphate and magnesium tests listed here though. Very pricey kits.

Edited December 24, 2007 by treesprite

[YBeNormal]

It looks like the Salifert vendor forum on RC was finally removed after several months of customer compaints and no responses from Habib. I have no idea if this was an RC decision or if it was requested by Habib but it's probably a good thing since people were beginning to get rather upset and saying things they would likely regret in the future.

 

Knowing that there are many defective Salifert kits on the shelves and since there is absolutely no way for customers to contact Salifert for support, I recommend switching to another brand or only buying Salifert test kits from vendors you know will accept them back with no hassle.

[Guest webshout]

I cruised to F&S and the kits are on "Backorder."

 

William

[Brian Ward]

I cruised to F&S and the kits are on "Backorder."

 

William

 

 

 

Last time I was in Aquarium One there were plenty in stock. Also talked to a guy that works at Wally's and he said they have them in stock as well.

[johnnybv]

John,

 

I hear what you are saying but whether the kit is labeled "professional", "amateur" or "blue-light special" really doesn't make a difference if the vendor (1) cannot keep their inventory levels maintained and shops go months at a time without product, (2) different batches and even different kits within the same batch produce widely differing results, (3) the vendor does not have an email address, does not answer his phone and his web page has been "under construction" for years and (4) the vendor disappears for months at a time, usually right after a rash of defective product reports, leaving all of his customers with no support and maybe a few dead corals.

 

Yes, I know Habib is supposedly setting up a manufacturing/distribution center in the U.S. and I also knw that he claimed to be creating a better, more accurate line of products during his brief return to RC before going AWOL again. If he runs the new garage like he is running the current garage though, it'll just be more of the same.

 

The fact is that the current batch of Salifert products on the market suffers from an extreme lack of quality control. The fact that they are continuing to be shipped and sold under the premise that only a few of them are bad says a lot to me. Salifert is going to have to make a major change in his their business practices before regaining my trust.

 

I am not defending Saliferts actions, just offering up information that I have heard.

Edited January 3, 2008 by johnnybv

[jnguyen4007]

Johnny,

 

You still carry that Sera brand ALK test kit that I bought from you a few months back, don't you? Like you told me, that brand worked very well. It was just a tad bit more complicated to use than the salifert brand. I mention this so for those who are looking for a good ALK test kit, they should give this a try especially if Johnny carries them at BRK.

 

James