View Full Version : Drip Test Kits...
Lithomunky
04-02-2008, 1:22 AM
Could you use one third of the water, and only use one drop?
Instead of filling it up to the line and using three drops?
NeonFlux
04-02-2008, 1:24 AM
Hum, never tried that. Sounds like a nice idea lol we'll see...
Lithomunky
04-02-2008, 1:27 AM
Someone should do a poll.
Mgamer20o0
04-02-2008, 1:44 AM
no..... you act like its liquid gold......
tonytheboss1
04-02-2008, 2:21 AM
Is it possible?? I imagine. Would I want to gamble on inaccurate readings of something that could possibly cause the death of my fish just to save a couple of drops of reagent? Not on a bet!!! "T"
Rbishop
04-02-2008, 4:28 AM
This recently came up in another thread on here. One of our members who works at an LFS says the API rep for their store recommended it. I disagreed with doing it.
I sent n e-mail to the AP folks inquiring about it and never heard back from them. I will re-send it and hope for an answer.
I biggest thing I can see, is having an improper volume for light reflection, possible giving errors on calling the true value against the color charts.
BoredAgain
04-02-2008, 7:19 AM
Could you use one third of the water, and only use one drop?
Instead of filling it up to the line and using three drops?
Do some tests with the full amount and some with 1/3 amount, compare the results and post back.
Ajordan
04-02-2008, 9:11 AM
In theory I can't see anything wrong with it... I would at least use a syringe or something to accurately measure the sample water. 1/3rd of 10ml based on sight is tough to do. I would also guess that certain types of tests would be better for this method. Hardness tests specifically. These tests are less dependent on the shade of color and more dependent on whether or not the color has changed (from yellow to blue or green or whatever).
API test tubes are volumetric glassware. They're marked for, and hold precisely when filled properly, 5ml. How you plan on getting 1/3 of 5ml measured properly, I don't know. Good luck.
Mgamer20o0
04-02-2008, 3:24 PM
This recently came up in another thread on here. One of our members who works at an LFS says the API rep for their store recommended it. I disagreed with doing it.
I sent n e-mail to the AP folks inquiring about it and never heard back from them. I will re-send it and hope for an answer.
I biggest thing I can see, is having an improper volume for light reflection, possible giving errors on calling the true value against the color charts.
i got a email back from them right away.
test kits are cheap.... just like prime yes i could pre mix the water but i just add the hose and some extra prime. its not worth the risk in my eyes. also i think of the time..... trying to make sure to get exactly 1/3 water and 1/3 the drops needed would take to long for me.
like rb said too with so little its going to make matching the card up even harder.
Rbishop
04-02-2008, 4:49 PM
:iagree:
How would you do 1/3 of the 10 drops needed for Bottles 1 and 2 Nitrate or the 8 for 1 & 2 of Ammonia ?
Hmmm...would have to do 1/4...and 1/4 of the water...which is 1/4 of 10 = 2 mills water is very very very little water to get a reading from.
I guess you could do 1/2's but that would be a waste.
:D
Lithomunky
04-02-2008, 9:20 PM
I'm just sayin, it works for the pH, which seems to not matter to anyone.
I just bought one of the big pH kits today $26 on sale. And I see what everyone means about it being more complicated than I thought.
But if you feel like doing the little bit of math, it seems like it might be worth it; if you're a penny pincher like myself.
injunear
04-03-2008, 7:40 AM
In theory I can't see anything wrong with it... I would at least use a syringe or something to accurately measure the sample water. 1/3rd of 10ml based on sight is tough to do. I would also guess that certain types of tests would be better for this method. Hardness tests specifically. These tests are less dependent on the shade of color and more dependent on whether or not the color has changed (from yellow to blue or green or whatever).
You'll decrese the accuracy by using less water....In fact, the instructions tell you that you can increase the accuracy of these tests by doubling the sample, e.g. using 10ml instead of 5 ml increases the accuracy of the test by 2.......
Ajordan
04-03-2008, 8:55 AM
I didn't mean to say increase the accuracy, just that some types would likely be less affected by half the sample size.
In fact, for very hard water don't people often use half the sample so you can actually get a reading (this had come up for me at some point, I can't remember the specifics. I'll see if I can find what I was talking about.)