Hanna HI772 vs Salifert Master Combo: One Precise Number or Six Tests?

Updated September 2026

Both cost $70 to $90, but they answer different questions. The Hanna HI772 measures one parameter, alkalinity, digitally to 0.1 dKH in two minutes with no color judgment. The Salifert Master Combo covers calcium, alkalinity, magnesium, nitrate, phosphate and pH by visual titration, with sensitivity tuned for reef-level low nutrients.

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At a glance

Spec	Hanna HI772 Alkalinity Checker (dKH) Check price on Amazon	Salifert Master Reef Testing Combo Kit Check price on Amazon
Price	$70 to $80	$75 to $90
Our rating	4.8 / 5	4.6 / 5
Best for	Any reefer dosing two-part, running a calcium reactor, or maintaining an SPS-dominant tank where 0.5 dKH precision is important for dosing calibration.	New reef setups that need complete baseline testing capability, and established reefers who want cost-effective weekly testing across all parameters.
Parameters	Alkalinity only	Calcium, alkalinity, magnesium, nitrate, phosphate, pH
Method	Digital colorimeter, 0.1 dKH resolution	Visual titration and color matching
Time per test	About two minutes	Varies by kit; alkalinity is quick, others take longer
Ongoing cost	Reagent cartridges, about $10 per 25 tests	Lower per test; kits expire within 24 months
Best fit	Two-part dosing, calcium reactors, SPS	New tanks and weekly all-parameter routines
Price	$70 to $80	$75 to $90

Salifert first for full coverage on a new tank; Hanna as soon as alkalinity becomes the number you dose by.

The two options in depth

4.8 Editorial score Amazon

Hanna HI772 Alkalinity Checker (dKH)

The Hanna HI772 is a digital colorimeter that measures reef alkalinity in dKH to a resolution of 0.1 dKH. It eliminates the color-matching interpretation error of visual titration kits and produces results in two minutes. The standard reference tool for reefers who dose two-part or run calcium reactors and need precision to calibrate dosing programs accurately.

Best for Any reefer dosing two-part, running a calcium reactor, or maintaining an SPS-dominant tank where 0.5 dKH precision is important for dosing calibration.

Digital colorimetric readout to 0.1 dKH precision eliminates the human color-interpretation variable entirely
Reagent-based test takes two minutes with no titration endpoint judgment required
Battery-powered pocket format fits in a cabinet drawer and is ready to use without any instrument warm-up
Reagent cartridges are an ongoing cost at approximately $10 for 25 tests; more expensive per test than Salifert titration

4.6 Editorial score Aquarium Specialty

Salifert Master Reef Testing Combo Kit

The Salifert Master Combo Kit bundles six essential reef test kits in one purchase: calcium, alkalinity, magnesium, nitrate, phosphate, and pH. Salifert's formulations are widely regarded as more sensitive than API at reef-relevant low concentrations, particularly for the phosphate and nitrate ranges where clean reef water operates. At $75 to $90 for six kits, it is the most cost-effective complete testing solution in the hobby.

Best for New reef setups that need complete baseline testing capability, and established reefers who want cost-effective weekly testing across all parameters.

Six tests in one purchase covers all essential reef parameters for a new tank setup
Salifert phosphate and nitrate sensitivity is calibrated for reef-relevant low concentrations that API kits miss
Lower cost per test than Hanna Checkers for reefers who test multiple parameters on a weekly schedule
Visual color matching for alkalinity introduces interpretation variability; upgrade to HI772 for precision dosing work

Which should you buy?

Buy the Salifert Master Combo first if the tank is new or you have no test kits, because you cannot run a reef on alkalinity alone and six calibrated kits for under $90 is the most coverage per dollar in the hobby. Buy the Hanna HI772 the moment you start dosing two-part or running a calcium reactor, since the 0.5 dKH swings that stress SPS corals hide inside the color-matching error of a visual kit. Most established reefers end up with both: Salifert for the weekly sweep, Hanna for the number they dose against.

Related guides

Common questions

Is Salifert alkalinity accurate enough for SPS?

It is accurate enough to spot a trend, not to calibrate a dosing pump. Color-matching variability between readings is the issue, which is exactly what the Hanna checker removes.

Why not buy Hanna checkers for every parameter?

Cost and cabinet space. Each checker measures one parameter and needs its own reagents, so a full Hanna set costs several times the Salifert bundle. Most reefers add checkers only for the parameters they dose.

How often should I test alkalinity?

Daily or every other day when dialing in a dosing schedule, then two or three times a week on a stable SPS tank. A soft coral tank can go weekly, which is where the Salifert kit is perfectly adequate.

Do Salifert kits really expire?

The reagents lose accuracy over time, and the kits carry expiry dates. Buy what you will use inside two years rather than stocking up.