What test kits are you using?

Who here uses test kits daily/weekly or on a regular basis and also additives like prime, ph up/down and others?

 

I like the Nutrafin test kits. It works out cheaper per test compared to many other brands. Accuracy is also very important when looking at test kits.

I never mess around with pH up/down quick fix products. I feel it is just a recipe for disaster. I believe in using a longer term solution. I use limestone.

 

at the moment iv got a cheapie daro ph test kit blue=high,yellow=low and green is neutral.

 

I use Sera QuickTest strips and use Seachem Prime to remove chlorine and Seachem Neutral Regulator to calibrate my pH pen.

 

Generally I find chemical based test kits the way to go. Strips are not too accurate. I'm using sera. Not the best but it works well enough under my circumstances.

 

When keeping and breeding discus it's imperitive that you know the EXACT parameters. In that case I understand that chemical based kits are a must. When keeping JD and Danio however, I would just like to know that they won't fizz and disintergrate when I add them to my tank... They're quite hardy!

 

I am using it as well. I doubt that there is better chemical kits on the market.

 

API MASTERS!! They are the best IMO. I have NEVER doubted any of their readings!

 

OK, will give them a try next time. Could not source it when I bought the SERA.

 

sure there is
-elos
-salifert
-seachem

 

hehe, how will I know! Only used Sera up to now, but so impressed with the brand name, that I think it is the best. Can you substantiate why they are better?

 

So have any of you who uses the Sera currently used the Nutrafin kits before? Just wondering if you can make a comparison.

 

Interesting question and I would like to see the outcome. Theory is, that if someone uses a product and he is happy with it, he will stay with that product until he has a problem with it, or someone changes his mind for him, or both. Changing his mind for him, goes hand in hand with considerable effort, or input from various sources, like TV and/or word of mouth. That is if he do not have a problem with the product. In this realm, being a forum, word of mouth is exceptionally strong.

 

That is what is called brand loyalty. You use it, you're happy with it, so you will buy it again. It normally takes quite an incident or a very convincing person to make you change your mind to buy another brand.

I am thinking of using both at the same time as an experiment and to see what is the outcome. For me it is also important to look at the increments between the readings. So I first want to have a look at what it is on the Sera products.

 

where can i find one of those ph pens?

 

I imported mine as they are fairly expensive locally... But they are available nonetheless!

 

I'm also keen on getting one. How do they compare to chemically testing your PH? What price should I expect to pay? I'm sure the quality of the probe plays a big role in price and accuracy. I have seen a couple around for about R600.00 What do you guys recommend?

 

pH pens are not as accurate as chemical test kits, but then again, they also are inexhaustible (meaning you can test 800,000 per day without incurring any additional costs). They are great for doing daily pH checks. If they indicate that the pH is off, you can go over to the chemical tests to establish by how much it's off... I bought mine from a shop in Japan, but I fear they are now using their stock to check the pH of their TVs, sofas, clothes, etc after the tsunami...

 

Can you elaborate on that?Pen increments is 0.1 and accuracy 0.2 plus or minus. Test kits increment in 0.5.

 

The reading on a pH pen is affected by movement and temperature, much more so than chemical test kits. for best results (or rather constant readings) you can take a scoop of tank water in a mug and test the water there rather than directly in the tank water. I've personally see fluctuations of up to 0.8 by just shaking the pen while submersed in the tank's water.