Who to believe?

[wnehez]

I have a problem with whos word to take on my water parameters. My LFS will test my water every once in a while and when they do, they use API. I also have API tests at my house. One reef master kit one kit to test the normal parameters such as ammonia, nitrites,nitrates, etc. Now when the LFS tests it, they do not let it sit for the five mins its supposed to(or says in the instructions.) They tested some that I had in a container when I took my choc. chip starfish back because he decide to go on one of my corals and I wasnt having it. Now when they tested it, my calc. was at the very bottom they said. I think it was 380. I then went home, did my normal everyday testing, and my calcium came up as 500. How is there that big of a difference? Also, My alk. seems to be outta this world. I think I counted 16 or 17 dh or dkh or whater the measuremnt is... Is my test just bad or what? anyone else have problems with API tests and their LFS?

 

[KafudaFish]

Could be a bad test kit or human error.

Maybe buy another kit and see.

Also if you have a club ask one of the members to test as well.

 

[AquaReeferMan]

I use API for ammonia, trites and trates. Testing for Ca, Alk and Mg are done with either Salifert or the Red Sea Reef Care test kits. I wouldnt rely on anyone else to test my water but me...

 

[wnehez]

I mean I follow the instructions to a T and the LFS doesnt wait. They read the colors almost right away and the kits say to wait five mins... Could that be the problem? Not enough time for the colors to fully change? O wait the calcium test and alk test are just drop by drop not time... nvmd... But yea I might have to invest in a different test kit. Does anyone know how to read the lot number to tell if it is really old?

 

[yehchien]

API test kits are hit or miss. I've used them in the past when cycling a tank but not for daily parameters. I would look at Salifert or Elos. They're going to be more expensive but I've found that they're more consistent.

 

[reefgeezer]

I'd never trust anyone but myself to do the testing. I use mostly Salifert kits. They seem to be pretty consistent. IMO...If you're going to keep corals, it is an absolute necessity... at least in the first year or so.

 

[rbredding]

one of the two sets of test kits could be "out of date"...

 

[lordofthereef]

If I remember correctly, the calcium test kit by API doesn't require you wait for a reading.

What is the expiration on your kit. What about the LFS's kit?

 

[AquaReeferMan]

Straight from API

"each reagent bottle has a Lot # printed on the top front of the bottle. The last four digits are the month and year of manufacture. Example: Lot # 28A0110. This is a pH reagent manufactured in January of 2010. PondCare Wide Range pH, Phosphate, Copper, Calcium and GH all last for three years. Ammonia, PondCare Ammonia, Nitrite, PondCare Nitrite, Nitrate, High Range pH, KH, Freshwater pH(low range) and PondCare Salt Level will last for five years. I would not use or trust these kits after they have expired."

 

[wnehez]

Excellent. Thanks guys! I will be sure to check the date when I get home. And if everyone is saying that Salifert or the other one is much better than API, I will eventually make the change over. Again, Thanks for everyones information! Very helpful...

 

[small alien]

Perhaps you could ask your lfs to wait the instructed amount of time before giving you a reading.

 

[lordofthereef]

Excellent. Thanks guys! I will be sure to check the date when I get home. And if everyone is saying that Salifert or the other one is much better than API, I will eventually make the change over. Again, Thanks for everyones information! Very helpful...

This is going to vary from user to user. I know there are plenty of people that are perfectly happy with API test kits themselves.

 

[BigRick]

Use Salifert