PH testing, and Alkalinity Questions

ZachAttack · #1 12-30-2009, 04:22 PM

Hey guys. I need some Ph and Alkalinity testing kits. What is recommended? Has anyone found some to be more reliable/unreliable than others?? Where can I get digital ones?

And oh yeah, where's the best place to buy test kits????

globaldesigns · #2 12-30-2009, 04:39 PM

I just bought some Seachem, I hate them, too much work... I have just ordered and going back to ELOS, very accurate and simple to use.

ZachAttack · #3 12-30-2009, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by globaldesigns

I just bought some Seachem, I hate them, too much work... I have just ordered and going back to ELOS, very accurate and simple to use.

Thanks. What's ELOS, and where can I get it??

OceanicCorals-Ian- · #4 12-30-2009, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by globaldesigns

I just bought some Seachem, I hate them, too much work... I have just ordered and going back to ELOS, very accurate and simple to use.

The API test kits are also decent and easy to use for KH.

globaldesigns · #5 12-30-2009, 04:43 PM

Most LFS have ELOS, but I get mine from jlaquatics.com, they are cheaper on there. Very accurate test kits.

I have never used API, but here they are decent also.

Bryan · #6 12-31-2009, 02:42 AM

API for KH, it is cheap and accurate and always consistent. Matches my more expensive Lamotte. Elos is good too. Salifert had a bad batch of KH test kits years ago and I would never trust them again, more so out of principle for denying it. For Ph gets yourself a monitor

ZachAttack · #7 12-31-2009, 03:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryan

API for KH, it is cheap and accurate and always consistent. Matches my more expensive Lamotte. Elos is good too. Salifert had a bad batch of KH test kits years ago and I would never trust them again, more so out of principle for denying it. For Ph gets yourself a monitor

OK, so where can I get a ph monitor??

mark · #8 12-31-2009, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZachAttack

OK, so where can I get a ph monitor??

got mine here off Canreef but JL Aquatics carries different ones.

I'm using Salifert for Alk, no problems and last couple I got had a calibration solution to check against.

Myka · #9 01-01-2010, 06:41 PM

For alkalinity I would say Elos is a good kit (or Hanna or LaMotte if you're into spending that kind of money).

For pH I wouldn't bother buying a kit as they are quite inaccurate. A handheld digital pH meter (buy calibration solution too for pH 7 and pH 10) is much more accurate.

I have a Salifert kit for alkalinity and even though it matches the calibration solution they send with the kit the kit reads 2 dKH higher than accurate, my last one was 3 dKH higher than accurate. I won't buy another Salifert kit for alkalinity.

ZachAttack · #10 01-01-2010, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myka

For alkalinity I would say Elos is a good kit (or Hanna or LaMotte if you're into spending that kind of money).

For pH I wouldn't bother buying a kit as they are quite inaccurate. A handheld digital pH meter (buy calibration solution too for pH 7 and pH 10) is much more accurate.

I have a Salifert kit for alkalinity and even though it matches the calibration solution they send with the kit the kit reads 2 dKH higher than accurate, my last one was 3 dKH higher than accurate. I won't buy another Salifert kit for alkalinity.

THanks, very helpful. where is a good place to buy the handheld Ph testors??