Ed Reef's Shallow Crest Inspired ART

[Ed Reef]

API Testkit

API Testkit

Sorry not much update this week as I've been busy with work and nothing much happening in the tank anyway"¦

However, my API Calcium teskit arrived in the mail yesterday so will see how it stand up with the big brand names LOL

Will keep everyone posted how it does"¦.


:rollface:

 

[Lightsluvr]

Re: API Testkit

Re: API Testkit

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15652987#post15652987 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ed Reef
Sorry not much update this week as I've been busy with work and nothing much happening in the tank anyway"¦

However, my API Calcium teskit arrived in the mail yesterday so will see how it stand up with the big brand names LOL

Will keep everyone posted how it does"¦.


:rollface:

I'd be very interested in this, because I get wildly different readings between ELOS and Salifert kits... Heck, I even get different readings between two Salifert ALK kits! Who ya gonna believe?

LL

 

[Ed Reef]

I threw out my Salifert Alk test kit about a year ago...you're right, you can't even get the same result with the same brand

For alk, I used elos and API (as back-up) so I do two test weekly and both readings are very consistent.

For Ca and Mg, now I used Elos and Salifert but if this API Ca testkit shows me consistent results, then eventually I will drop my Salifert Ca testkit as well.

For Mg, I find both Elos and Salifert quite good but still searching for a cheaper alternative. Too bad API doesn't carry Mg testkit or it will be interesting

 

[Ed Reef]

WATER PARAMETER UDPATES…..

WATER PARAMETER UDPATES"¦..

And did my weekly 10% WC and check my water params as below:

"¢ Temperature "“ 26.3 degree C (light off)
"¢ Salinity Gravity "“ 35ppt (up from last week 31.9ppt)
"¢ pH "“ 8.13 (light off)
"¢ NO3 "“ 0.02 (Salifert Test kit "“ went up slightly)
"¢ PO4 "“ 0.03 (D&D Test kit "“ up from last week)
"¢ dKH "“ 8.0 (API test kit "“ same as last week)
"¢ dKH "“ 8.5 (Elos test kit "“ up from last week 8.0)
"¢ Ca "“ 440 (Salifert test kit "“ up from last week 400)
"¢ Ca "“ 430 (Elos test kit "“ up from last week 410)
"¢ Ca "“ 520 ?? (API test kit "“ new)
"¢ Mg "“ 1380 (Salifert test kit "“ up from last week 1200)
"¢ Mg "“ 1300 (Elos test kit "“ same as last week)
"¢ Potassium "“ 400 to 410 range (Kz Test kit "“ slightly higher than last week)

I open up my new Salifert testkits for NO3, Ca, Mg and reading seem to be much closer to my Elos. However, my API Calcium testkit is way off the charts"¦did the test twice and the same results so not sure what happen ☹

PO4 and NO3 seem to increase slightly ever since I started dosing Iodine. Could be that this is fueling the algae?? Or maybe it's cause I just exchange out my Zeolite stones last night and the good bak count not increase yet?? Will see next week if this goes back down

Will continue to use my AIP test for the next few weeks and see if there is any change. Not sure if I got a faulty testkit

Anyone out there have experience using Elos vs API and can vouch for API testkits?

Meanwhile will be away on business from tomorrow for a few days"¦



:rollface:

 

[Lightsluvr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15653570#post15653570 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ed Reef
I threw out my Salifert Alk test kit about a year ago...you're right, you can't even get the same result with the same brand

For alk, I used elos and API (as back-up) so I do two test weekly and both readings are very consistent.

Did you get the ELOS test kit where the detailed instructions say to count one DKH per drop while the insert card says to count .5 DKH per drop? Heck, I never know if my DKH is 6 or 12!!!

The Salifert would read 8.5, so it was no darn help at all!

Too bad Neptune Systems can't develop an ALK and MG probe!

LL

 

[Ed Reef]

The new Elos testkit is 0.5. Use the visual card instruction and ignore the written instruction as it's misprinted.

Try API dKH testkit as I've been using both Elos and API for over a year now and both have been spot on.

 

[Ed Reef]

I Hate Crabs…

I Hate Crabs"¦

Caught this last night"¦.

Don't know what happen but he was on the sand bed and looking a little dizzy so I pick him up. Maybe my wrasse was giving him a hard time lol

 

[JCR's Reef]

That doesnt look like a very happy crab...
Whats your thoughts on API vs. the higher brands?
I use API and honestly I didnt start having problems with my tank until I switched to salifert. I have since switched back. I think it was the alk test thats way off.

 

[Ed Reef]

For dKH, I've dump my Salifert a ong time ago....IME, API and Elos has pretty qood dKH testkit and I uses both weekly and both brand results matches quite closely as API test result round up to "1" where Elos readings are "0.5"

However, I just started using API testkit for Calcium last weekend and the reading is odd so I'm not sure if it's just a faulty testkit I got or their Ca testkits are junk!!

 

[elijaher]

Test kits your method I like use more then one.

 

[Dejavu]

I like LaMotte and API for a quick alk test. I have the same feeling about Salifert as you.

 

[Ed Reef]

Any alternative (meaning 'cheaper') reliable Ca testkit out there?? Been doing some reading and seem quite a fair bit of people got faulty API Ca testkit

 

[Ed Reef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15677777#post15677777 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by elijaher
Test kits your method I like use more then one.

Yeah but somehow after doing a little research around, seem there is quite some fair bit of people having very high Ca results with API testkits?? :eek1:

Their dKH testkit seem fine thou' :rolleye1:

 

[Lightsluvr]

Testy

Testy

Any other thoughts on CA kit?

I have ordered an API dKH kit because of the lack of confidence in my ELOS and Salifert ALK kits...

Pretty sad that these kits are so all over the board in their results...

LL

 

[Dejavu]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15678135#post15678135 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ed Reef
Any alternative (meaning 'cheaper') reliable Ca testkit out there?? Been doing some reading and seem quite a fair bit of people got faulty API Ca testkit

One thing I have noticed with API test kits it the the test tube they give you, which is 5 ml, is not in most cases. If you pipit or syringe 5ml and add it to the test tube you will notice that it is less. How much less differers from tube to tube, but it is less. pipit or syringe 5ml you give you lower result.

I work in a lab and have measured the 5 ml using volumetric pipit just you see and result I got seemed much better. In the end 20-40 pmm higher Ca never seemed to make much of a difference IMO.

 

[bogg]

I'll trust the NIST to cross check my Elos kits for me b4 it's in my hands. It just goes to show you Ed you get what you pay for I'm personally not taking any more chances with my tank and cheap test kits for me the extra $ is worth it and not losing livestock/corals jmo fwiw

 

[Ed Reef]

Re: Testy

Re: Testy

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15678158#post15678158 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lightsluvr
Any other thoughts on CA kit?

I have ordered an API dKH kit because of the lack of confidence in my ELOS and Salifert ALK kits...

Pretty sad that these kits are so all over the board in their results...

LL

Well the API Alk testkit seem to work just fine as I've been using them about a year together with my Elos alk testkit and both reading have always been close.

This is the first time I'm trying API for Ca testkit and it's either I got a bad batch of testkit or my Ca is really so high

I've been searching other forums and seems there are some people with extremly high faulty Ca reading using API. I'm giving it another few test to compare to my Salifert and Elos before I decided if I should dump it :mad2:

 

[Ed Reef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15678269#post15678269 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Dejavu
One thing I have noticed with API test kits it the the test tube they give you, which is 5 ml, is not in most cases. If you pipit or syringe 5ml and add it to the test tube you will notice that it is less. How much less differers from tube to tube, but it is less. pipit or syringe 5ml you give you lower result.

I work in a lab and have measured the 5 ml using volumetric pipit just you see and result I got seemed much better. In the end 20-40 pmm higher Ca never seemed to make much of a difference IMO.

I always use the syringe from Elos as IME with different brand testkit, the test tube guide for 5ml is never accurate and this is not just API but also Elos test tubes as well.

 

[Ed Reef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15679560#post15679560 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bogg
I'll trust the NIST to cross check my Elos kits for me b4 it's in my hands. It just goes to show you Ed you get what you pay for I'm personally not taking any more chances with my tank and cheap test kits for me the extra $ is worth it and not losing livestock/corals jmo fwiw

True but the Q here is "which testkits are more accurate" lol

What do you used and which brand for for what test do you find reliable and why??

So far the test kits I find quite reliable (and this is my opinion only)

Ca - Elos and Salifert
Mg - Elos and Salifert
dKH - Elos and API
PO4 - D&D Highly Sensitive testkit
NO3 - Salifert (never tried any other brand)
pH - never find any suitable testkit good enough so use electronic probe



:rollface:

 

[Ed Reef]

Re: I Hate Crabs…

Re: I Hate Crabs"¦

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15677238#post15677238 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ed Reef
Caught this last night"¦.

Don't know what happen but he was on the sand bed and looking a little dizzy so I pick him up. Maybe my wrasse was giving him a hard time lol

Marc - any ID?? Does it look like your Black Fingered Mud crab - Xanthid crab??