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View Poll Results: Best Calcium/Mg/Alk/Nitrate test kits?
Instant Ocean 0 0%
Salifert 10 62.50%
ELOS 1 6.25%
API 3 18.75%
Tetra 0 0%
Seachem 2 12.50%
Hagen 0 0%
Voters: 16. You may not vote on this poll

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  #1  
Old 01-27-2010, 04:22 PM
Coleus Coleus is offline
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Default Test kit poll

I am getting hard time to figure out what test kits to use because i have been used couple test kits and their result are varies from branch to branch. For example. I used IO to test my ph and it says 8.2 but my API test says it is 7.8, same for nitrate, IO says it is < 10 but API says it is 20

It is a huge differences, I know that these test kits are not very accurate but what is the best test kits our there for the money? Please vote and explain
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Old 01-27-2010, 07:20 PM
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whatcaneyedo whatcaneyedo is offline
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pH is a tough one for test kits. Why not just use a pH monitor or controller? Theres a used one for sale used right now: http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/sho...hlight=monitor

There are things I dont like about all of the test kits available to hobbyists. I've yet to see a study done that compares them for accuracy against lab grade testing solutions/equipment so I dont think there is a 'best'.
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Last edited by whatcaneyedo; 01-27-2010 at 09:07 PM. Reason: spelling
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Old 01-27-2010, 08:54 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by whatcaneyedo View Post
pH is a tough one for test kits. Why not just use a pH monitor or controller? Theres a used one for sale used right now: http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/sho...hlight=monitor

There are things I dont like about all of the test kits available to hobbiests. I've yet to see a study done that compares them for accuacy againts lab grade testing solutions/equipment so I dont think there is a 'best'.
Well I have neptune ph monitor probe and it record 7.7 :-(. Ok, I just test my ph with all test kits i have and here is the result my Salifert ph test say 8.2, api ph test say 8.4 and IO test says 8.2

This is driving me nuts. Ether i got a broken ph probe or all my test kits are junk. Your thoughts? Btw, is it true that you have to replace ph probe after one year usage?
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Old 01-27-2010, 09:09 PM
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whatcaneyedo whatcaneyedo is offline
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When was the last time you calibrated your pH probe? After 3 months I find mine can easily be out by .2 When they're out by even more than that I replace them which is probably between 1-2 years. I buy standard probes and not Lab grade and that also shortens their usable lifespan.
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Old 01-27-2010, 09:17 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by whatcaneyedo View Post
When was the last time you calibrated your pH probe? After 3 months I find mine can easily be out by .2 When they're out by even more than that I replace them which is probably between 1-2 years. I buy standard probes and not Lab grade and that also shortens their usable lifespan.
I calibrated it last month. I will calibrate it again and see.
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