LFS Water tests

smellslikeTUNA · 09/20/2011, 09:36 AM

Just curious, if I wanted to check my params of my own against what the LFS tests (as I've noticed many do) will most LFS do this for free? if not is there an avg cost?

cloak · 09/20/2011, 09:53 AM

Most stores will do it for free. (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate) Some stores will charge .50 or $1. to check parameters like calcium and magnesium though.

tebstan · 09/20/2011, 10:02 AM

Depends on the test kits they use, probably. Stores that use API will test for free, but the rare specialty store that uses salifert or the likes will charge a few bucks.

Chris27 · 09/20/2011, 10:19 AM

Figure on just a buck or two for the easy ones, and $5 for the more expensive ones that use Salifert or the new Red Sea tests.

cloak · 09/20/2011, 10:51 AM

Wow! Five bucks for a calcium/magnesium test? I'll take my chances...

How many tests can you get out of one of those kits? (Salifert/Red Sea) If you can get 20, that LFS is making money hand over fist considering a test kit only costs about $25 or so. What a rip.

Chris27 · 09/20/2011, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cloak

Wow! Five bucks for a calcium/magnesium test? I'll take my chances...

How many tests can you get out of one of those kits? (Salifert/Red Sea) If you can get 20, that LFS is making money hand over fist considering a test kit only costs about $25 or so. What a rip.

They have labor and overhead to cover, whereas a hobbyist doesn't. Stopping everything you're doing while working to run a test for someone takes time and money. FWIW, a $5 charge for a comparative test is far less then shelling out $30 for a new test kit because you think it may be off.

cloak · 09/20/2011, 03:24 PM

I guess... That's still way too much IMO. I hope the prices on fish/supplies are not as rediculous as that quote.

Chris27 · 09/21/2011, 07:40 AM

It takes approx 10 - 15 min to run a calcium or mag test, and much longer for strontium. If the LFS employee makes $10 an hour, it cost's the owner about $13 an hour to employ them. A 15 min test costs about $3.25 in labor + the cost of the test equipment which is roughly $0.50 - $0.75 per test. So knowing that, it COSTS the owner $4 per test without making profit.....

cloak · 09/21/2011, 11:31 AM

Ten to 15 minutes, you've got to be kidding me. I've seen the owners of one of the LFS in my area run a magnesium test (Red Sea) on my water and it only took a few minutes or so. You might want to switch up shops if your dealing with this kind of incompetence. I think I'm done with you...

Chris27 · 09/21/2011, 12:26 PM

Thank you sir, I'm glad you are done with me, now I can proceed with my day.

Whew, I thought I would be sitting here forever.

Cheers.

09/20/2011, 09:36 AM	#1
smellslikeTUNA Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 453	LFS Water tests Just curious, if I wanted to check my params of my own against what the LFS tests (as I've noticed many do) will most LFS do this for free? if not is there an avg cost? __________________ -Great minds don't think alike, they innovate!- 57g Oceanic Illuminata \| Kessil A150W 10K LED \| 1x 453nm Stunner \| Trigger Systems Sump/Refug \| Reef Octopus NWB-110 Skimmer \| RKL+ System \| 2X Evo 750gph \| BFS RO/DI

09/20/2011, 10:02 AM	#3
tebstan Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 961	Depends on the test kits they use, probably. Stores that use API will test for free, but the rare specialty store that uses salifert or the likes will charge a few bucks. __________________ Washington's Rule #110: Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience.

09/20/2011, 10:19 AM	#4
Chris27 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 4,452	Figure on just a buck or two for the easy ones, and $5 for the more expensive ones that use Salifert or the new Red Sea tests. __________________ Fill your tank with $5 bills, add gasoline and light it on fire.....only then will you know the real cost of reefing. Current Tank Info: 180 Mixed Reef

09/21/2011, 07:40 AM	#8
Chris27 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 4,452	It takes approx 10 - 15 min to run a calcium or mag test, and much longer for strontium. If the LFS employee makes $10 an hour, it cost's the owner about $13 an hour to employ them. A 15 min test costs about $3.25 in labor + the cost of the test equipment which is roughly $0.50 - $0.75 per test. So knowing that, it COSTS the owner $4 per test without making profit..... __________________ Fill your tank with $5 bills, add gasoline and light it on fire.....only then will you know the real cost of reefing. Current Tank Info: 180 Mixed Reef

09/21/2011, 12:26 PM	#10
Chris27 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 4,452	Thank you sir, I'm glad you are done with me, now I can proceed with my day. Whew, I thought I would be sitting here forever. Cheers. __________________ Fill your tank with $5 bills, add gasoline and light it on fire.....only then will you know the real cost of reefing. Current Tank Info: 180 Mixed Reef

09/20/2011, 09:53 AM	#2
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	Most stores will do it for free. (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate) Some stores will charge .50 or $1. to check parameters like calcium and magnesium though.

09/20/2011, 10:51 AM	#5
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	Wow! Five bucks for a calcium/magnesium test? I'll take my chances... How many tests can you get out of one of those kits? (Salifert/Red Sea) If you can get 20, that LFS is making money hand over fist considering a test kit only costs about $25 or so. What a rip.

09/20/2011, 03:24 PM	#7
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	I guess... That's still way too much IMO. I hope the prices on fish/supplies are not as rediculous as that quote.

09/21/2011, 11:31 AM	#9
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	Ten to 15 minutes, you've got to be kidding me. I've seen the owners of one of the LFS in my area run a magnesium test (Red Sea) on my water and it only took a few minutes or so. You might want to switch up shops if your dealing with this kind of incompetence. I think I'm done with you...

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