Test kits

unimike · 09/05/2006, 04:06 AM

I am questioning the quality of Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Saltwater Master Test Kit...because everytime I test my water and took a sample of the same tank water that I tested on and the LFS' readings is always different than what I have recieved like for example..I usually always get a reading of 0.25ppm in ammonia while LFS readings usually always are zero. It applies for pH and Nitrates...so I am wondering if anyone in this board have same problem ? Or, maybe can recommend a better and reliable test kit ?

Thanks as always,

Mike

hans1976 · 09/05/2006, 05:09 AM

Many of the folks here use Salifert kits. For PH, you might want to look to get a PH meter.

Salifert Prices

Shagsbeard · 09/05/2006, 06:58 AM

Your test for ammonia has a color chart. My bet is the lowest is 0 and the next one up is .25. You see your reading at .25 and they see the same reading as 0. They want you to buy a fish. The actual value is somewhere in the middle most likely, and .25 is hardly leathal. So your LFS is fudging it's number a bit, and your test is fudging the number a bit.

I really recommend getting more expensive, more accurate tests until you gain experience with these chemicals. Then you can fall back on the test strips, because you're already going to have an idea of what the value is by how your tank is behaiving. Get a salivert test... the color scale has much more contrast than the yellow-yellow-yellow test strips.

unimike · 09/05/2006, 03:08 PM

Thanks for getting back to me!

So Salifert kit is a way to go ?

Hans1976, how does the pH meter work ?

theatrus · 09/05/2006, 03:23 PM

I've ALWAYS read 0.25 in salt water from Aquarium Pharm test kits. The reagents they use don't seem to work well in salt water. If you're trying to monitor a cycle, get the Salifert. The two-reagent method works much better

I use an AquaController Jr with the pH probe to monitor my pH. Works like a charm. Its an electronic device, and needs occasional recalibration, but can give you basicly instant feedback on pH.

Billybeau1 · 09/05/2006, 03:53 PM

Dont confuse the cloudiness in the water for a reading above .25

Some test kits (Salifert included) percipitate magnesium out of solution which is what you are seeing and is normal. A milky white color. As long as its not showing any color, your ammonia level is fine.

Actually, for the cheaper tests, I've found AP tests to perform pretty well. I especially am impressed with their pH kit. I reads almost dead on when compared to my pinpoint monitor.

unimike · 09/05/2006, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Billybeau1
Dont confuse the cloudiness in the water for a reading above .25

Some test kits (Salifert included) percipitate magnesium out of solution which is what you are seeing and is normal. A milky white color. As long as its not showing any color, your ammonia level is fine.

Actually, for the cheaper tests, I've found AP tests to perform pretty well. I especially am impressed with their pH kit. I reads almost dead on when compared to my pinpoint monitor.

Yes, milky white color is okay but I have been getting like lime green color which matches the 0.25 on the color chart and I wasn't sure if it was lethal but according to the posters it is not lethal so there's nothing I should be worried about however should be worried about the pH test ?

Billybeau1 · 09/06/2006, 06:04 AM

I can only tell you my experience with the pH test. The colors are very easy to distinguish and compares almost dead on with my ph monitor. Good test for the money IMO.

09/05/2006, 04:06 AM	#1
unimike Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Whittier, CA Posts: 234	Test kits I am questioning the quality of Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Saltwater Master Test Kit...because everytime I test my water and took a sample of the same tank water that I tested on and the LFS' readings is always different than what I have recieved like for example..I usually always get a reading of 0.25ppm in ammonia while LFS readings usually always are zero. It applies for pH and Nitrates...so I am wondering if anyone in this board have same problem ? Or, maybe can recommend a better and reliable test kit ? Thanks as always, Mike

09/05/2006, 05:09 AM	#2
hans1976 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Middletown, CT Posts: 3,239	Many of the folks here use Salifert kits. For PH, you might want to look to get a PH meter. Salifert Prices __________________ Jeff PAST CTARS President Past MASNA Treasurer

09/05/2006, 03:23 PM	#5
theatrus 100-mile-commuter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: almost nevada Posts: 4,721	I've ALWAYS read 0.25 in salt water from Aquarium Pharm test kits. The reagents they use don't seem to work well in salt water. If you're trying to monitor a cycle, get the Salifert. The two-reagent method works much better I use an AquaController Jr with the pH probe to monitor my pH. Works like a charm. Its an electronic device, and needs occasional recalibration, but can give you basicly instant feedback on pH. __________________ Custom electronics purveyor. blueAcro.com Current Tank Info: 90g SPS+mixed reef (10 yrs): LEDBrick LEDs, 40g custom sump, Ca reactor, chiller, Vortech, lots of custom electronics

09/05/2006, 06:58 AM	#3
Shagsbeard Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Morro Bay, CA Posts: 2,143	Your test for ammonia has a color chart. My bet is the lowest is 0 and the next one up is .25. You see your reading at .25 and they see the same reading as 0. They want you to buy a fish. The actual value is somewhere in the middle most likely, and .25 is hardly leathal. So your LFS is fudging it's number a bit, and your test is fudging the number a bit. I really recommend getting more expensive, more accurate tests until you gain experience with these chemicals. Then you can fall back on the test strips, because you're already going to have an idea of what the value is by how your tank is behaiving. Get a salivert test... the color scale has much more contrast than the yellow-yellow-yellow test strips.

09/05/2006, 03:08 PM	#4
unimike Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Whittier, CA Posts: 234	Thanks for getting back to me! So Salifert kit is a way to go ? Hans1976, how does the pH meter work ?

09/05/2006, 03:53 PM	#6
Billybeau1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dyer, Indiana Posts: 12,010	Dont confuse the cloudiness in the water for a reading above .25 Some test kits (Salifert included) percipitate magnesium out of solution which is what you are seeing and is normal. A milky white color. As long as its not showing any color, your ammonia level is fine. Actually, for the cheaper tests, I've found AP tests to perform pretty well. I especially am impressed with their pH kit. I reads almost dead on when compared to my pinpoint monitor.

09/06/2006, 06:04 AM	#8
Billybeau1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dyer, Indiana Posts: 12,010	I can only tell you my experience with the pH test. The colors are very easy to distinguish and compares almost dead on with my ph monitor. Good test for the money IMO.