Which water test kit is accurate while being affordable?

[ripped tide]

Maybe try taking a referance sample from one Brand's kit and cross referance it with the other kits. I did that with a referance sample from seachem and used API and Elos test kits.

The API read ~30ppm over and Elos read ~10ppm under.

 

[ralph atl]

looksie at this:

http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=12831">http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=12831</a>


I do not know (nor care) how accurate the Seachem Test Kit is, as I thought it was a nightmare to use.

I am "generally speaking" pro Seachem. I really liked Seachem Reef, and I do really love Salinity now.

They also have other products that are great, and they ARE THE HOMETOWN REEF SUPPLIER!

However, those test kits just suck to use....I mean, what's up with those stupid plastic sheets of indentations? wth?


(and Raj, you are just being paranoid, lol)

 

[jennm]

You mean the test trays? They make it fast and easy to do up to 6 tests at once, and the white tray makes it easy to compare the colour on the sliding chart.

CA and MG tests are titration tests (so are both of their alkalinity tests.

The basic tests are infinitely easier (and more accurate) than API which everybody seems to buy before they know better, because it's the cheapest test that nearly everybody stocks (I have never carried API and I won't either).

While somebody is still watching the clock and shaking the API Nitrite or Nitrate test, I can have Ammonia, pH, total Alk, Nitrite and Nitrate tests done with a Seachem test. The Ammonia test takes a few to develop but I don't have to stand there shaking a test tube, I can be doing the next person's set of tests.

Jenn

 

[rdnelson]

Yes but shaking test tubes is the only excessive I get!!!!! LOL

 

[ralph atl]

JennM;769473 wrote: You mean the test trays? They make it fast and easy to do up to 6 tests at once, and the white tray makes it easy to compare the colour on the sliding chart.

CA and MG tests are titration tests (so are both of their alkalinity tests.

The basic tests are infinitely easier (and more accurate) than API which everybody seems to buy before they know better, because it's the cheapest test that nearly everybody stocks (I have never carried API and I won't either).

While somebody is still watching the clock and shaking the API Nitrite or Nitrate test, I can have Ammonia, pH, total Alk, Nitrite and Nitrate tests done with a Seachem test. The Ammonia test takes a few to develop but I don't have to stand there shaking a test tube, I can be doing the next person's set of tests.

Jenn

yes, comparing to API......but for real....Seachem just doesn't want to listen to it's customers.............

yes, a few times they did ask, but give me a break! those test trays are a nightmare and wth is up with the only company not using GFO? they have been proving that Aluminum Oxide is not as effective.

 

[jennm]

You're entitled to your opinion, Ralph, but it's just that, an opinion.

In my *opinion*, there's no "nightmare" with those kits, and I use them EVERY DAY for over 10 years. And in my 25 or so in the hobby I've used plenty of others.

But hey, just my opinion.

Again, your opinion of Phosguard vs. GFO is just that as well.... opinion.

I can tell you this, people buy Phosguard. They don't buy GFO. I had GFO on the shelf forever.

Why pay $$ for GFO and a reactor when Phosguard and a mesh bag work for a fraction of the cost? Because yes, at the end of the day, price matters more than about anything else, to the average consumer.

Over the years, I've watched what people say online, and attempted to carry products that people recommended. As a result I had a full line of Salifert tests that expired on the shelf. At the time, everybody spouted, "Salifert, Salifert, Salifert" when asked about test kits, but nobody seemed to actually buy them.

Don't believe everything you read when it comes to product recommendations. Quite often, people in general will recommend whatever is popular at that moment, but they don't actually use it.

Jenn

 

[silver surfer]

It all depends on what works best for your tank and your budget. Every tank is deferent and nobody has the same budget.

I prefer to hear the good an bad from about all products, then make my a decision on what's better for my tank.

I usually disagree with everything Jenn but....and I hate to say but if I were to run gfo on my tank, I would use phosguard. Not because of $$ but I have several tangs.

 

[ralph atl]

JennM;769536 wrote: You're entitled to your opinion, Ralph, but it's just that, an opinion.

In my *opinion*, there's no "nightmare" with those kits, and I use them EVERY DAY for over 10 years. And in my 25 or so in the hobby I've used plenty of others.

But hey, just my opinion.

Again, your opinion of Phosguard vs. GFO is just that as well.... opinion.

I can tell you this, people buy Phosguard. They don't buy GFO. I had GFO on the shelf forever.

Why pay $$ for GFO and a reactor when Phosguard and a mesh bag work for a fraction of the cost? Because yes, at the end of the day, price matters more than about anything else, to the average consumer.

Over the years, I've watched what people say online, and attempted to carry products that people recommended. As a result I had a full line of Salifert tests that expired on the shelf. At the time, everybody spouted, "Salifert, Salifert, Salifert" when asked about test kits, but nobody seemed to actually buy them.

Don't believe everything you read when it comes to product recommendations. Quite often, people in general will recommend whatever is popular at that moment, but they don't actually use it.

Jenn

Well, here is DOCUMENTED EVIDENCE! You can use opinion, I try to use facts.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1719648">http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1719648</a>
check Randy's Post 3

[IMG]http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2003/7/chemistry">http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2003/7/chemistry</a>

and btw, Randy does use gfo now....

 

[jennm]

OK...

From the question here: http://www.seachem.com/support/FAQs/PhosGuard.html">http://www.seachem.com/support/FAQs/PhosGuard.html</a> (At the bottom of the page, with answer)

Expanded here:

[IMG]http://www.seachem.com/support/AluminumSolubilityToxicity.pdf">http://www.seachem.com/support/AluminumSolubilityToxicity.pdf</a>

This, as with many other aspects of the hobby, there is more than one way to accomplish the same result. Furthermore there can be as many facts to support one method, as to another.

There's a lot less chance of mistakes with Phosguard, than with GFO as well.

I've heard anecdotal reports, in years gone by, of soft coral irritation coincidental with the use of Phosguard, but I've been running it for 10 years also, and have not made a similar observation. We use it here at the shop, and in most of the tanks we service.

Like they say at the daycare center, "Different trikes for different tykes."

Jenn

 

[ralph atl]

But of course, Seachem is going to support their product, as are you. You are an authorized dealer.
Seachems info, is in fact biased.

But, it's certainly ok for different folks to use different tools for whatever reason.

Some are convenience, cost, ignorance, or just preferences and opinions. No biggie.

I have been using GFO for years (before it was popular), and carbon dosing (before that was popular), and my Stony Corals love it! That's the reason I use it!

(plus, it usually keeps my algae in check)


I found the Seachem Test kits were excruciatingly painful, so I just tossed them. That's certainly opinion.

 

[jennm]

The Seachem study was done by a third-party laboratory, in response to hobbyist concerns. (Yes they DO listen to their customers.)

Yeah I'm a Seachem dealer but I sell other lines as well, and can bring in just about anything if I wish to.

Clearly we don't agree on this. That's OK, you aren't going to change my mind, nor do I expect to change yours. Just offering up the other side of the discussion, as well as my own firsthand experience with both the test kits that this thread was started with, as well as Phosguard which you brought up later on.

Jenn

 

[cjsparky]

I have been using ELOS for ammonia, NOx, and a few others. I ALWAYS test for some Ammonia in my water. even though low, it is there. the interesting thing is I tested brand new mixed salt water once with the ELOS test, and found it contained the exact same ammount of ammonia as my tank. Me thinks I need a new test kit.

CJ

 

[db366]

I have read that brand new saltwater contains ammonia, that's one of the reasons it has been suggested to mix it for a couple hours before putting it into your tank.

 

[cjsparky]

DB, I tested mine after 24 hours of mixing...I really think it is a bad test kit. I wish there was a way to tell for sure...

CJ

 

[db366]

weird. You could always take a sample to Sea Atlanta and let them test it to make 100% sure.

 

[cjsparky]

Had a batch mixing from yesterday...just did a 10 Gallon WC. Here is the test on the water...

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I will pick up a new kit soon...this was straight from the mixing bucket...the salinity on this was 1.029. It was high as I needed a small bump to my tank salinity, as skimming has reduced it a bit.

CJ