carbonate hardness test....

[saltyshoe_nano]

my test results are not working right, i fallowed the directions but it wont turn form the blue to yellow, it changed from pailblue to a darker blue but it wont turn to a yellow like in the pamplet, what should i do?

 

[TWINPEAKS]

what brand?

 

[saltyshoe_nano]

the test kit brand? the test kit brand is aquarium phamaceuticals api reef master test kit

 

[DrBDC]

Is that the kind that you just keep adding the one type of drop until it changes and doesn't require another type of additive before the color changing drops? How many drops did you go up to?

 

[sirreal63]

Toss it in the trash...API kits are horrid. I have rarely ever had one that would test the same batch of water and get the same results more than once. The nitrate and phosphate kits were the worst. They would frequently show my nitrates at over 50 and Salifert would show them under 2, phosphate was the same. The only one I had any luck with was the ph test. Go to gateway Aquatics and get some Salifert kits, they may not be 100% accurate but they are close enough.

 

[saltyshoe_nano]

well DR -yea its the one droper,
but sirreal - ive tested the same batch of water, 3 times with the same results but the hardness, i put up to 16 in one and still it was dark blue......did i really waste 30 bucks on a pos?.....

 

[sirreal63]

I have spent way too much money on test kits...API was the worst, Salifert was recommended and I still use them. They are simple and consistent. Until I listened to the people telling to use Salifert I was dosing alk like a madman trying to get my alk up when it was already way up. The culprit my own stubborn ways...once I got the Salifert I discovered my alk was not way low...but rather way high. Api said was way low. same issue with the nitrate and phosphate, crazy readings that were never consistant.

Before you buy anything in this hobby...research and ask questions of others...it may very well be that someone has experience with the product you are considering and can help you avoid the same mistakes. Your mileage may vary with anything but at least you will know what others like and don't like.

 

[saltyshoe_nano]

i geuss your right, how much would a salifert test kit run me...with ph, nitrate,ect?

 

[sirreal63]

You buy them individually. The Reef Stop can order them and Gateway has them in stock.

 

[geoxman]

http://www.geocities.com/hans1976/Salifert.html

 

[saltyshoe_nano]

does aquatic treasures carry them, its less of a drive lol? or do you not come down this way?

 

[sirreal63]

Phil...you back in town?

 

[DrBDC]

I would keep going up to about 25 just to be sure. I've seen it happen. Also, make sure you didn't grab the gH bottle instead of the dKh one.

 

[saltyshoe_nano]

do you use this kit yourself or in past times? what is your outlook on it?

 

[DrBDC]

I use salifert now. I ditched those.

 

[saltyshoe_nano]

will it be ok to use for say a month, im so broke right now...... or should I cut my losses?

 

[DrBDC]

What do you have coral wise that would use up ca and alk?

 

[saltyshoe_nano]

I dont have anything right now I just set the tank up, all i have is sand, im ganna buy rock from geo hopefully soon, but nothing other than sand right now,.....

 

[geoxman]

I leave tomorrow at 2pm-call me
PL

 

[saltyshoe_nano]

what?