Anyone use this method for testing your water?

iFisch · 05/31/2009, 04:07 PM

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2009-03/nftt/index.php

I tested today, via the use of a syringe provided with my Elos test kit. Followed his notes to a "T" and found every time the tubes from Elos and API were "off" on the "fill line". It was "about" 1.5ml above the "test line [aka 5ml]".

Does anyone also follow this, and do you usually see that the syringe is more accurate than the test tube "fill lines"?

dwd5813 · 05/31/2009, 04:10 PM

i always use the syringe. i noticed when i first bought the elos Mg kit that the fill was different if i used the syringe line vs. the line of the vial and asked in their forum about which i should count as correct. they told me to use the syringe so that's what i use for all my fills now, and i bought some syringes to use for the api kits too.

iFisch · 05/31/2009, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dwd5813
i always use the syringe. i noticed when i first bought the elos Mg kit that the fill was different if i used the syringe line vs. the line of the vial and asked in their forum about which i should count as correct. they told me to use the syringe so that's what i use for all my fills now, and i bought some syringes to use for the api kits too.

Me too. I read that Elos recommends using the syringe not the "test line". I found it to be off on both the Elos test tubes and API test tubes.

Just wondering if I wasn't the only one who uses the syringe, per that guide I linked.

I am slowly switching over to all Elos. My next test kits are nitrite/nitrate. I have Ca and PH.

dwd5813 · 05/31/2009, 07:43 PM

actually now that i think back on it i got syringes a while before coming across that article to use with my api kits cause i got sick of trying to dunk and pour off and dunk and pour off to get the right fill, and found that the lines were a bit off. after getting the elos kits i noticed their lines were off too, so like i said before i asked about that in the forum here and was told to use the syringe, so that's all i use now. i don't notice too much of a difference in results with some tests, but things like Mg and KH have shown a difference.

James79 · 05/31/2009, 08:52 PM

I stopped using API dinky test tubes all together. Now I use the old square plastic tubes from an old Tetra test kit and fill with a salifert syringe. The tetra tubes are accurately graduated, have some head room to swirl tests and caps don't leak. API needs to include better tubes but I like them for CA and KH.

dwd5813 · 06/01/2009, 01:18 AM

they definitely need a better cap.

snorvich · 06/01/2009, 07:41 AM

I am totally Elos and only use the syringe.

Fizz71 · 06/01/2009, 01:30 PM

Excuse me if you think this is a dumb comment, but make sure when you read the syringe you read the line at the bottom of the plunger, NOT the line where the water is. I only say this because for years I thought it was the other way.

..it was another test kit, but same principal.

iFisch · 06/01/2009, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Fizz71
Excuse me if you think this is a dumb comment, but make sure when you read the syringe you read the line at the bottom of the plunger, NOT the line where the water is. I only say this because for years I thought it was the other way. ..it was another test kit, but same principal.

Not a dumb comment. I appreciate your heads up.

I do read from the bottom of the plunger.

05/31/2009, 04:07 PM	#1
iFisch Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: FL Posts: 3,068	Anyone use this method for testing your water? http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2009-03/nftt/index.php I tested today, via the use of a syringe provided with my Elos test kit. Followed his notes to a "T" and found every time the tubes from Elos and API were "off" on the "fill line". It was "about" 1.5ml above the "test line [aka 5ml]". Does anyone also follow this, and do you usually see that the syringe is more accurate than the test tube "fill lines"?

05/31/2009, 04:10 PM	#2
dwd5813 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: 813 Posts: 2,827	i always use the syringe. i noticed when i first bought the elos Mg kit that the fill was different if i used the syringe line vs. the line of the vial and asked in their forum about which i should count as correct. they told me to use the syringe so that's what i use for all my fills now, and i bought some syringes to use for the api kits too. __________________ order some golf shoes, otherwise we'll never get out of this place alive. what can i say? in dog beers, i have only had one. - dublo8 Current Tank Info: 40B aiptasia farm

05/31/2009, 07:43 PM	#4
dwd5813 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: 813 Posts: 2,827	actually now that i think back on it i got syringes a while before coming across that article to use with my api kits cause i got sick of trying to dunk and pour off and dunk and pour off to get the right fill, and found that the lines were a bit off. after getting the elos kits i noticed their lines were off too, so like i said before i asked about that in the forum here and was told to use the syringe, so that's all i use now. i don't notice too much of a difference in results with some tests, but things like Mg and KH have shown a difference. __________________ order some golf shoes, otherwise we'll never get out of this place alive. what can i say? in dog beers, i have only had one. - dublo8 Current Tank Info: 40B aiptasia farm

06/01/2009, 01:18 AM	#6
dwd5813 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: 813 Posts: 2,827	they definitely need a better cap. __________________ order some golf shoes, otherwise we'll never get out of this place alive. what can i say? in dog beers, i have only had one. - dublo8 Current Tank Info: 40B aiptasia farm

06/01/2009, 07:41 AM	#7
snorvich Team RC member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Outlander Posts: 40,953 Blog Entries: 46	I am totally Elos and only use the syringe. __________________ Warmest regards, ~Steve~

05/31/2009, 08:52 PM	#5
James79 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Houston Tx Posts: 170	I stopped using API dinky test tubes all together. Now I use the old square plastic tubes from an old Tetra test kit and fill with a salifert syringe. The tetra tubes are accurately graduated, have some head room to swirl tests and caps don't leak. API needs to include better tubes but I like them for CA and KH.

06/01/2009, 01:30 PM	#8
Fizz71 FragSwapper Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: West Lawn, PA Posts: 5,800	Excuse me if you think this is a dumb comment, but make sure when you read the syringe you read the line at the bottom of the plunger, NOT the line where the water is. I only say this because for years I thought it was the other way. ..it was another test kit, but same principal. __________________ --Fizz Current Tank Info: Current system is 8x2x2 240g peninsula setup with a single "chamber" 100g sump in the basement with an RDSB. All corals are 100% home grown from frags of fellow reefers (low natural reef impact).