Test kits

[Walter White]

So I would like to get people oppinions of what they think are the easiest and most accurate test kits to read.

I find that for the things that are not commonly tested with probes like ammonia the test kits are really hard to read. I mean for example the API kit will give you a general idea but I bet depending on a persons interpretation and comparison of the sample and color card one could easily be off by .5 ppm in either direction. Perhaps this small varience is not that big a deal but I see allot of people here post such exact numbers with such confidence that I have to wonder how they can really be so sure? Do thay have a different method? Are they using a better kit? Am I color blind or what? Is there a special trick to reading them that the directions are not clear on? lol

Very frustrated with some of these test kits. I realize that this hobby rarely deals with such finite absolute values but still an OCD person like myself can go crazy trying to read some of these test cards.

I see that they sell test Ammonia sensor probes though pricey as hell just wondered if anyone has had or uses one. Probably a huge wast of money.
http://www.jumoplus.com/store/home.php?cat=392

 

[Zooid]

Zero ammonia is easy to read on the API chart......if it's anything greater than zero, the water is not ready.

I use a Hanna tester for Alkalinity and a Salifert kit for Calcium and Magnesium. All are very accurate.
I don't test for ammonia, nitrite or nitrate anymore but I do keep a SeaChem ammonia badge in the water.

 

[dv3]

I use a Hanna tester for Alkalinity and a Salifert kit for Calcium and Magnesium. All are very accurate.
I don't test for ammonia, nitrite or nitrate anymore but I do keep a SeaChem ammonia badge in the water.

+1

salifert also makes tests for ammonia and everything else

 

[djkms]

LOVE Hanna checkers! Easy to read, yes, gives you a number on a lcd screen, doesn't get much easier than that.

Alkalinity - Hanna checker
Phosphate - Hanna checker

Salifert is nice, only have the magnesium but its a color change test and it usually changes from purple to blue/grey in 1 drop - no half color change per drop (if that makes sense).

Magnesium - Salifert

API tests are good enough. The calcium is pretty nice, color change as well. Wish the nitrate test was better but I am one of the few who actually wants nitrate in my tank.

Calcium - API
Nitrate - API

Salinity is done by a Digital Hanna refractometer.

Hanna really needs to come out with a nitrate test!

Dont test for anything else.

 

[rangerbobb]

Hanna tests kits are easy and very good precision. I think they are pretty accurate as well.

Salifert kits work well, but I don't think they are very precise. I can run a test twice and get varying results.

My technique is fine because I used to be an analytical chemist testing at very low parts per trillion.

 

[Walter White]

Zero ammonia is easy to read on the API chart......if it's anything greater than zero, the water is not ready.

I use a Hanna tester for Alkalinity and a Salifert kit for Calcium and Magnesium. All are very accurate.
I don't test for ammonia, nitrite or nitrate anymore but I do keep a SeaChem ammonia badge in the water.

Completly agree that the API ammonia test is easy enough to read for absolute zero but anything else above that I think it pretty tough to distiguish. Sure for cycling a tank its a no brainer, its easy to tell that the tank is not ready but what about when you start testing for ammonia in an established tank? This is where I believe higher accuracy would be helpfull in determining whether or not anmmonia is dropping or changing if your trying to deal with an ammonia spike from something dying, lack of filtration etc.

 

[djkms]

Completly agree that the API ammonia test is easy enough to read for absolute zero but anything else above that I think it pretty tough to distiguish. Sure for cycling a tank its a no brainer, its easy to tell that the tank is not ready but what about when you start testing for ammonia in an established tank? This is where I believe higher accuracy would be helpfull in determining whether or not anmmonia is dropping or changing if your trying to deal with an ammonia spike from something dying, lack of filtration etc.

You should never have a detectable amount of ammonia in your tank after its cycled. Even if something dies your CUC should take care of it before a readable amount of ammonia shows.

 

[mdrumm]

I find that the taste test is the most accurate. Cleanse your palette with ginger and apply one ml of your tank water to determine the levels.

 

[Zooid]

I find that the taste test is the most accurate. Cleanse your palette with ginger and apply one ml of your tank water to determine the levels.

Or just lap it up directly from the tank....LOL
Hopefully there will not be an electrical problem with a pump or heater

 

[ChrisB]

LOL at those last 2

 

[Walter White]

LOL I'll try that on Mike if I go blind or my weiner falls off I'll know for sure I'll have an issue.