What test kits are you using?

Discussion in 'General Discussions' started by mattie, Apr 6, 2011.

  1. mattie

    mattie

    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2010
    Messages:
    786
    Likes Received:
    44
    Location:
    Cape Town
    Who here uses test kits daily/weekly or on a regular basis and also additives like prime, ph up/down and others?
     
  2. Guest




  3. AquaS

    AquaS

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2010
    Messages:
    307
    Likes Received:
    9
    Location:
    Goodwood, CPT
    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.
     
  4. oscar freak

    oscar freak

    Joined:
    May 5, 2010
    Messages:
    3,651
    Likes Received:
    56
    Location:
    Kensington Jhb
    at the moment iv got a cheapie daro ph test kit blue=high,yellow=low and green is neutral.
     
  5. SHiBBY

    SHiBBY DIY Guru

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2010
    Messages:
    639
    Likes Received:
    3
    Location:
    Glenwood, Cape Town
    I use Sera QuickTest strips and use Seachem Prime to remove chlorine and Seachem Neutral Regulator to calibrate my pH pen.
     
  6. Verndog

    Verndog APSA:DOUBLEV

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    Messages:
    532
    Likes Received:
    5
    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.
     
  7. SHiBBY

    SHiBBY DIY Guru

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2010
    Messages:
    639
    Likes Received:
    3
    Location:
    Glenwood, Cape Town
    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!
     
  8. TomK

    TomK

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2011
    Messages:
    1,552
    Likes Received:
    11
    Location:
    Klerksdorp

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

    Zoom Retired Moderator

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2009
    Messages:
    8,469
    Likes Received:
    119
    Location:
    Jhb- Fourways
    API MASTERS!! They are the best IMO. I have NEVER doubted any of their readings!
     
  10. TomK

    TomK

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2011
    Messages:
    1,552
    Likes Received:
    11
    Location:
    Klerksdorp

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

    Singularity

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2008
    Messages:
    892
    Likes Received:
    19
    Location:
    Potchefstroom
    sure there is
    -elos
    -salifert
    -seachem
     
  12. TomK

    TomK

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2011
    Messages:
    1,552
    Likes Received:
    11
    Location:
    Klerksdorp

    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?
     
  13. AquaS

    AquaS

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2010
    Messages:
    307
    Likes Received:
    9
    Location:
    Goodwood, CPT
    So have any of you who uses the Sera currently used the Nutrafin kits before? Just wondering if you can make a comparison.
     
  14. TomK

    TomK

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2011
    Messages:
    1,552
    Likes Received:
    11
    Location:
    Klerksdorp

    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.
     
  15. AquaS

    AquaS

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2010
    Messages:
    307
    Likes Received:
    9
    Location:
    Goodwood, CPT
    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.
     
  16. oscar freak

    oscar freak

    Joined:
    May 5, 2010
    Messages:
    3,651
    Likes Received:
    56
    Location:
    Kensington Jhb
    where can i find one of those ph pens?
     
  17. SHiBBY

    SHiBBY DIY Guru

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2010
    Messages:
    639
    Likes Received:
    3
    Location:
    Glenwood, Cape Town
    I imported mine as they are fairly expensive locally... But they are available nonetheless!
     
  18. Verndog

    Verndog APSA:DOUBLEV

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    Messages:
    532
    Likes Received:
    5
    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?
     
  19. SHiBBY

    SHiBBY DIY Guru

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2010
    Messages:
    639
    Likes Received:
    3
    Location:
    Glenwood, Cape Town
    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...
     
  20. TomK

    TomK

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2011
    Messages:
    1,552
    Likes Received:
    11
    Location:
    Klerksdorp

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

    SHiBBY DIY Guru

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2010
    Messages:
    639
    Likes Received:
    3
    Location:
    Glenwood, Cape Town
    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.
     

Recent Posts

Loading...
Similar Threads - test kits using Forum Date
Test kits Beginner Discussions Aug 19, 2020
Water testing kits - product reviews General Discussions Aug 6, 2019
Sera Test Kits in Stock Pet Lovers Emporium Nov 14, 2016
cheapest place on the East Rand to buy test kits Advanced Topics Mar 4, 2016
Confused with testing kits and so on Beginner Discussions Oct 12, 2015
FB: Aquarium Test Kits: Parameters to Test for in Fish-Only and Reef Tanks Jungle Aquatics Mar 2, 2015
Test kits Cape Town Fish Keepers Jul 10, 2014

Share This Page