Testing equipment?

tiller25 · 02/15/2008, 08:18 PM

i have to ask the never ending question about test kits. Which is the best out there? I have a Oceanic 29 bio cube that as been set up for 10 days now and i don't know which test kit is better then the other b/c there are so many choices out there. Also is it worth investing in a pinpoint or hanna instruments ph tester? i know hanna makes an instrument that tests ph/tds/ temp/ec and claims to be accurate within (0.05). anybody have any experience? i would like to have the most accurate out there even if it means shelling out some money. Any and all opinions will be appreciated. thanks.

marduc · 02/15/2008, 08:42 PM

I prefer the salifert test kits, the color change is readily noticeable for me, and they are relatively simple to use. Others may disagree on the color change issue, it has happened before, just depends on your level of color blindness, and what colors you are blind to.

I have a pinpoint ph meter, no complaints here, no experience with the hanna, the crucial part of having a ph meter is to calibrate regularly (usually every few weeks for me), and to change the probe when the calibration process gets finicky (every 6 months or so).

TDS is simple enough with a refractometer that I can't rationalize the added expenditure for a meter for it, likewise for temp, a drop-in thermometer is not all that expensive.

FranktheTankTx · 02/15/2008, 08:48 PM

In all honesty, don't waste your money on expensive salifert tests. Just get one of those API reef master kits. It consists of 4 basic test kits like nitrate, calcium, PO4 and PH I think??? Then get an ELOS Mg test kit and you're all set. And you save a lot of money.

tiller25 · 02/16/2008, 01:36 PM

alright, thanks alot for the advice.

NewFish3 · 02/16/2008, 01:55 PM

I have a BioCube 14, I just use the API test kit. The PH level is a little hard to tell up against the chart, but that could just be me. I am looking at a digital PH tester just to be sure.

NOW....Trust me.......Throw away your plastic salinity tester and spend the money on a refractometer. You can get a good Sybon FG100SA for $49.95 from www.aquacave.com

02/15/2008, 08:18 PM	#1
tiller25 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: NC Posts: 137	Testing equipment? i have to ask the never ending question about test kits. Which is the best out there? I have a Oceanic 29 bio cube that as been set up for 10 days now and i don't know which test kit is better then the other b/c there are so many choices out there. Also is it worth investing in a pinpoint or hanna instruments ph tester? i know hanna makes an instrument that tests ph/tds/ temp/ec and claims to be accurate within (0.05). anybody have any experience? i would like to have the most accurate out there even if it means shelling out some money. Any and all opinions will be appreciated. thanks.

02/15/2008, 08:48 PM	#3
FranktheTankTx Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 2,306	In all honesty, don't waste your money on expensive salifert tests. Just get one of those API reef master kits. It consists of 4 basic test kits like nitrate, calcium, PO4 and PH I think??? Then get an ELOS Mg test kit and you're all set. And you save a lot of money. __________________ Frank the Tank "What, I thought we were in the trust tree... in the nest? Are we not?" Current Tank Info: Custom Rimless 60g (30.5"x24.5"x18.5")

02/16/2008, 01:55 PM	#5
NewFish3 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,096	I have a BioCube 14, I just use the API test kit. The PH level is a little hard to tell up against the chart, but that could just be me. I am looking at a digital PH tester just to be sure. NOW....Trust me.......Throw away your plastic salinity tester and spend the money on a refractometer. You can get a good Sybon FG100SA for $49.95 from www.aquacave.com __________________ On a scuba dive in the Cayman Islands, I kept thinking.........Why is that Fish getting bigger.........Then it hit me Current Tank Info: 7 years saltwater.. Setting up a 120 gal reef. Office BioCube 14...1 perc clown, 1 royal gramma, 1 six line wrasse, fire shrimp, cleaner shrimp, green stripe, brown shrooms, coco worm, purple leather, Misc CUC

02/15/2008, 08:42 PM	#2
marduc Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Tampa, Fl. Posts: 780	I prefer the salifert test kits, the color change is readily noticeable for me, and they are relatively simple to use. Others may disagree on the color change issue, it has happened before, just depends on your level of color blindness, and what colors you are blind to. I have a pinpoint ph meter, no complaints here, no experience with the hanna, the crucial part of having a ph meter is to calibrate regularly (usually every few weeks for me), and to change the probe when the calibration process gets finicky (every 6 months or so). TDS is simple enough with a refractometer that I can't rationalize the added expenditure for a meter for it, likewise for temp, a drop-in thermometer is not all that expensive.

02/16/2008, 01:36 PM	#4
tiller25 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: NC Posts: 137	alright, thanks alot for the advice.