digital testing

tat2tillidie · 05/11/2008, 06:11 PM

i want to get as many probes or what ever i need to test digitaly i hate the drop style test. does anyone no where to get them? im not really worried about the cost. i know it will be expensive

McCrary · 05/11/2008, 06:59 PM

Check out some of the multiple parameter tests that Hanna makes. You are still going to have to drop stuff into the vial, but the results will be digital. Is this what you are talking about?

tat2tillidie · 05/11/2008, 07:35 PM

is it faster to test with these?

McCrary · 05/11/2008, 07:43 PM

Not really, I mean it isn't anything that you are going to notice, some might even take longer. How often are you testing and what are you testing? Some tests take a little while and some don't. If you don't already have a controller, the AquaController III should be able to take care of temp, pH and ORP. Salinity can be tested with a refractometer. Nitrates can be tested by hand (drop tests) and it shouldn't take too long and only needs to be tested about once a week. Phosphate can be done with a Hanna digital photometer and it takes about 5 minutes total. Calcium and Alkalinity can be done with drip tests (but you shouldn't need to do these more than about once a week). There isn't really anything else that should need to be tested consistently (that I can think of). If you wanted to constantly monitor those with probes and a controller it is going to cost you thousands and be a pain. Thats why drops are used for so many tests.

tat2tillidie · 05/11/2008, 07:45 PM

i never can seem to know if i tested the calcium correctly

McCrary · 05/11/2008, 07:47 PM

Lol, I sometimes have to do it a couple times just in case, but that happens. Once you get things into a routine on your tank things get a little easier.

tat2tillidie · 05/11/2008, 07:51 PM

no doubt cause its so confusing. do you think the digital will be easier to understand lol

McCrary · 05/11/2008, 11:01 PM

Try the Lamotte test kit, it gives good results and isn't terribly difficult to understand. Just make sure to read the directions well, I have a tendency to skimp when it comes to directions and have paid the price a couple times. Good Luck

tat2tillidie · 05/12/2008, 07:08 AM

thanks

05/11/2008, 06:11 PM	#1
tat2tillidie Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: middletown de. Posts: 397	digital testing i want to get as many probes or what ever i need to test digitaly i hate the drop style test. does anyone no where to get them? im not really worried about the cost. i know it will be expensive

05/11/2008, 06:59 PM	#2
McCrary Can't Stop Time Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,079	Check out some of the multiple parameter tests that Hanna makes. You are still going to have to drop stuff into the vial, but the results will be digital. Is this what you are talking about? __________________ Matt Patience is the best remedy for every trouble. Titus Maccius Plautus (254 BC - 184 BC), Rudens

05/11/2008, 07:35 PM	#3
tat2tillidie Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: middletown de. Posts: 397	is it faster to test with these? __________________ EVEN A BLIND CHICKEN GETS A PIECE OF CORN! Current Tank Info: 90g reef/30g sump/fuge 2 phosban reactors one with phos media and one with carbon / kalk reactor 30 gallon tank all softies and just 3 fish 1 engineer gobie 1 sebae clown 1 yellow tail damsel

05/11/2008, 07:43 PM	#4
McCrary Can't Stop Time Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,079	Not really, I mean it isn't anything that you are going to notice, some might even take longer. How often are you testing and what are you testing? Some tests take a little while and some don't. If you don't already have a controller, the AquaController III should be able to take care of temp, pH and ORP. Salinity can be tested with a refractometer. Nitrates can be tested by hand (drop tests) and it shouldn't take too long and only needs to be tested about once a week. Phosphate can be done with a Hanna digital photometer and it takes about 5 minutes total. Calcium and Alkalinity can be done with drip tests (but you shouldn't need to do these more than about once a week). There isn't really anything else that should need to be tested consistently (that I can think of). If you wanted to constantly monitor those with probes and a controller it is going to cost you thousands and be a pain. Thats why drops are used for so many tests. __________________ Matt Patience is the best remedy for every trouble. Titus Maccius Plautus (254 BC - 184 BC), Rudens

05/11/2008, 07:45 PM	#5
tat2tillidie Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: middletown de. Posts: 397	i never can seem to know if i tested the calcium correctly __________________ EVEN A BLIND CHICKEN GETS A PIECE OF CORN! Current Tank Info: 90g reef/30g sump/fuge 2 phosban reactors one with phos media and one with carbon / kalk reactor 30 gallon tank all softies and just 3 fish 1 engineer gobie 1 sebae clown 1 yellow tail damsel

05/11/2008, 07:47 PM	#6
McCrary Can't Stop Time Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,079	Lol, I sometimes have to do it a couple times just in case, but that happens. Once you get things into a routine on your tank things get a little easier. __________________ Matt Patience is the best remedy for every trouble. Titus Maccius Plautus (254 BC - 184 BC), Rudens

05/11/2008, 07:51 PM	#7
tat2tillidie Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: middletown de. Posts: 397	no doubt cause its so confusing. do you think the digital will be easier to understand lol __________________ EVEN A BLIND CHICKEN GETS A PIECE OF CORN! Current Tank Info: 90g reef/30g sump/fuge 2 phosban reactors one with phos media and one with carbon / kalk reactor 30 gallon tank all softies and just 3 fish 1 engineer gobie 1 sebae clown 1 yellow tail damsel

05/11/2008, 11:01 PM	#8
McCrary Can't Stop Time Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,079	Try the Lamotte test kit, it gives good results and isn't terribly difficult to understand. Just make sure to read the directions well, I have a tendency to skimp when it comes to directions and have paid the price a couple times. Good Luck __________________ Matt Patience is the best remedy for every trouble. Titus Maccius Plautus (254 BC - 184 BC), Rudens

05/12/2008, 07:08 AM	#9
tat2tillidie Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: middletown de. Posts: 397	thanks __________________ EVEN A BLIND CHICKEN GETS A PIECE OF CORN! Current Tank Info: 90g reef/30g sump/fuge 2 phosban reactors one with phos media and one with carbon / kalk reactor 30 gallon tank all softies and just 3 fish 1 engineer gobie 1 sebae clown 1 yellow tail damsel