Need FW test kit.  Any recomendations?

[pdiddymoose]

Hey'

I'm starting a planted tank.  First time with live plants.  Tryin fishless cycle.  Over a year ago, I bought a FW master test kit by Redsea FishPharm.  I haven't been happy with it.  May have been old when I bought it.  The product wasn't dated.  (should have taken it back)  The NH3/NH4 (ammonia test) was very difficult to use.  It wouldn't dispense drops.  There was a precipitant in the reagent bottle that I couldn't get to disolve and italways clogged the dispenser.

That hasn't changed but now the GH and KH don't give accurate initial or end colors.  The best tests I've used have been the Dry Tab but I always shied away from buying the complete kit D/T price.  Now that I've shelled out good bucks for something I have no confidence in and probably won't be using, I'm a little more inclined to shell out the big bucks for something that really works.

Any opinions or reccomendations?  I looked @ the Product Reviews here, but had trouble accessing that particular article.

 

[v3x10e8]

Re: Need FW test kit.  Any recomendations?

the master water kit i got is from aqua. pharmaceuticals.
it includes: pH, high range pH (kind of useless at least you are keeping fish with need of basic water), amonia, nitrite, GH, KH, which costs $21, but you can probably find it at a lower price.
pros: it works? i have no prove of that.  the pH test kit at least seem to work since as i inject CO[sub]2[/sub], it shows lower pH and with amonia, it raises it.  amonia kit also seems to work.
cons: temperature seems to effect the testing result some what, which is to be expected.  Nitrite kits fails above 30.

if you can find any electronic device, or paper testing strips, you will be better off.

btw, i am going through the same thing as you are going to experince, patience is the key.
*thumbsupsmiley*

 

[pdiddymoose]

Vee,

Seen 'em.  Is your kit dry tabs or drops?  Electronic jobs are way outta my price range.  Test strips would be great - simple and foolproof - but seem a wee bit pricey too.  The kit I have x Red Sea has drops, all the tests you could want 'cept niTRAtes  ( none of the " master" kits seem to have that).  I would like to hear more about TABS vs. DROPS and/or cost effectiveness of dipstrips vs. dry tabs.

I'm an RN and we use strips for urinanalyis.  The come with like 10 - 12 different test parameters per strip.  Wouldn't that be nice?  Test all parameters of your H2O with one dip of a strip.   Probly cost prohibitve.

lately,
PD

 

[v3x10e8]

Re: Need FW test kit.  Any recomendations?

i got the drop kit.
the nitrate kit are quit expensive ($8.00 alone), so most master kit does contain it.  

 

[pdiddymoose]

Got Pet Warehouse catalogue today. There are some master kits that include niTRATes kit.  They all cost alot.  They actually have some dip sticks that are fairly cheap per test but you have to buy 100 tests.  about $100 for the 5 tests offered.  GHagen has an inclusive master kit, drops.  $60!  I'm leanin toward the aqua. pharm. drop master kit plus the nitrate kit- 110 tests/$5.49. Not bad if the tests work.  

 

[equinom]

Re: Need FW test kit.  Any recomendations?

I use the AP liquid test kits for the following:
pH
ammonia
nitrIte
nitrAte
KH/GH

All of them work well for me, except the GH.  It's a titration - which is no problem - except there isn't much of a color change at the endpoint.  It's visible, but takes a close eye.  

I use a Hagen phosphate test, which is also OK.

I have a weird little kit for Iron and CO2.  It's not from a big name company.   Forgot where I got it,  but it was touted to be a "must have" for tanks with plants.  It is also a titration - but I am not sure I completely trust it.

I am very comfortable with the results I get from the AP and Hagen test kits.  I have not tried the dip sticks.  From my years of lab experience as a Medical Technologist - I have never 100% trusted them.  If they get moist, hot, or exposed to excess light they can give questionable results.  They can also be affect by different types of fumes - like ammonia.

When performing any type of testing, regardless of methodology, be aware of this:  

* accuracy
* precision

They are not the same thing.  
"Accuracy" is getting as close as possible to the exact result.  
"Precision", on the other hand, is the ability to get fairly close to the exact result, AND be able to get the same answer over and over, so that changes can be monitored.
I doubt that any of the test kits that can be purchased for aquarium water testing are truely "accurate".  The kits would be a LOT more money.  But "precision" can be achieved.  It is mostly technique dependent.  And observing water quality changes, over time, is what I believe we are doing.   *thumbsup2*

 

[pdiddymoose]

Equinom,

How eloquent!

Thanks fer the tips.  I shall heed them.

I think that "plant Kit" ya got is by the same Co. that made my master kit.  Ya know, the one that doesn't work so hot.  Not sure, jes know they sell one ; CO2 and Fe "For your planted aquarium". ???

Hey Eck!  sounds like ya got the 55 off the ground?  "...bravely go were no man has gone..." er, well, aaa, were I haven't gone before. ;D

Good luck with it!  I'm sooo jealous.

pd

 

[equinom]

Re: Need FW test kit.  Any recomendations?

I checked that funky test kit:  it's by Red Sea...