Water Testing

[Grinderex]

Need some help with good ph and nitrate testing equipment. Been using the marine lab vial things and i have trouble seeing the colors right. What are some suggestions that aren't gonna completely clean out the bank.

 

[dileggi]

I do know that there is a PH monitor that is digital. I've seen them in price ranges from $26.99 up to $196.99 on petsolutions.com. I've never actually used one, so I'm not sure if that's one of those things where you get what you pay for, or if that's one of those gadgets that don't work too well.

I've never seen any digital one's for nitrates.

I personally use the API..Aquarium Pharm, which are liquid tests, but you still need to match the colors.

 

[phenom5]

I love my salifert test kits...BUT...I've never used a salifert nitrate test kit. The thing that I like about the salifert kits (Ca & Alk anyway, that's mainly what I use at this point) is that they use titrations, rather than color matching. Makes life much easier.

 

[dileggi]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11630544#post11630544 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by phenom5
I love my salifert test kits...BUT...I've never used a salifert nitrate test kit. The thing that I like about the salifert kits (Ca & Alk anyway, that's mainly what I use at this point) is that they use titrations, rather than color matching. Makes life much easier.

What does using titrations mean? I like my API, and haven't had any problems with it, but, if I could use something that may be more accurate than my "matching" skills, I wouldn't mind trying it out.

 

[kzickovich]

Hanna has a nice little hald held. The one I use does PH TDS ORP and Temp.

 

[phenom5]

What does using titrations mean?

You put the tank water into the test tube, then add one or more reagents, then add another reagent drop by drop. So for the Ca test you add 2 reagents and those turn the water pink, then you add a third reagent drop by drop until the water turns blue. Then based on how much of reagent #3 is left in the syringe, you get your measurement.

 

[dileggi]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11630724#post11630724 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by phenom5
You put the tank water into the test tube, then add one or more reagents, then add another reagent drop by drop. So for the Ca test you add 2 reagents and those turn the water pink, then you add a third reagent drop by drop until the water turns blue. Then based on how much of reagent #3 is left in the syringe, you get your measurement.

OH, OK! I wasn't aware that what's the term was for that. My API test's CA and dKH with titrations.

But, my PH, amonia, nitrites, nitrates and phosphates are colored matched.

 

[thi7b]

Sailfert is one of the best and easy. But it's alittle pricey in the $20 a pop.