Hi,
I would like to compile a database of test kits since I am not quite satisfied with my tetra test (see pic).
For each test kit (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, ph, gh, kh, iron, phosphate, c02, etc.) please specify the brand and post the scale and/or a pic of the color charts. Now I know that these kits are not that accurate but at least we could look for the best one out there.
I'm looking for something with a smaller increment in scale with colors that are not too close of a shade to each other (see my ph test and ammonia). The Aquapharm master kit seems to be sufficient regarding the scale but I do not know the colors in it. So if anyone can take a pic of the cards that info is highly appreciated and will be added to the database/FAQ
Thanks.
-Jon
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database/FAQ:
aquarium pharmaceuticals freshwater master test kit.
thanks to RockabillyChick and Puffernewbee
Ammonia - 0ppm, .25, .50, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, 8.0
Nitrite - 0ppm, .25, .50, 1.0, 2.0, 5.0
Nitrate - 0ppm, 5.0, 10, 20, 40, 80, 100
pH Low - 6.0, 6.4, 6.6, 6.8, 7.0, 7.2, 7.6
pH high - 7.4, 7.8, 8.0, 8.2, 8.4, 8.8
I would like to compile a database of test kits since I am not quite satisfied with my tetra test (see pic).
For each test kit (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, ph, gh, kh, iron, phosphate, c02, etc.) please specify the brand and post the scale and/or a pic of the color charts. Now I know that these kits are not that accurate but at least we could look for the best one out there.
I'm looking for something with a smaller increment in scale with colors that are not too close of a shade to each other (see my ph test and ammonia). The Aquapharm master kit seems to be sufficient regarding the scale but I do not know the colors in it. So if anyone can take a pic of the cards that info is highly appreciated and will be added to the database/FAQ
Thanks.
-Jon
-------------------------------------------------------
database/FAQ:
zazz said:...
It[Aqua Pharm kit] also measures in shades of yellow/green. Maybe, by memory, a little more clear than your pic looks...
But IMHO, its not a Big deal. What i did was /do is,
Put the tube against a very white background. If i perceive Any change from the simple yellow, that is Any greening at all, I change water.
This will be fine for cycling IMO/IME
any other time there should be NO ammonia registering anyway, so the same aplies.
hope thats helpful.
FisheyLisa said:ditto zazz, any little change in color...you can tell it goes to a slighly more putrid yellow-green instead of the cheery sunshine yellow the color seem in the aquapharm to be a bit more vibrant than the tetra, that helps to read better.
within the other tests in the kit, there are colors that are very close, but again, if it changes from the base color, you should change the water.
...
happychem said:Personally, I don't think that you need a new test kit.
For one thing, these kits aren't extremely accurate to start with, the human error prevalent in this thread is a big reason why. If you actually want an accurate kit, you'll need to standardize it yourself, and that means having a pure source of analyte: ammonia, nitrite, whatever. A means to accurately measure the quantity of both water and analyte, like a scale and volumetric glassware, and a means to record the colour. Is this practical? Heck no.
Hobby test kits give you a general sense of what's up in the tank, but not a quantitative picture. If you want accuracy and precision, you're going to need to shell out the buck on Lamotte and Hatch. If you're happy just knowing approximately how much ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate is in your tank, then your basic kits are fine. Whether it's AP, Tetra, Hagen/Nutrafin, doesn't matter. If your ammonia is so low that you're stuck trying to tell whether it's 0ppm or 0.25ppm, you're on the right track - assuming a fishy cycle. Ditto for NO2, check your colour scale and do your water changes so that only the palest pink is visible. And as zazz suggested, put the tube up against a clean, white background and look at it through even lighting.
RTR said:If you want greater accuracy and precision, you would have to step up to LaMotte and Hach test kits, but they are a significant investment. I have never seen them stocked in stores, mail-order only.
http://www.lamotte.com/
http://www.hach.com/
aquarium pharmaceuticals freshwater master test kit.
thanks to RockabillyChick and Puffernewbee
Ammonia - 0ppm, .25, .50, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, 8.0
Nitrite - 0ppm, .25, .50, 1.0, 2.0, 5.0
Nitrate - 0ppm, 5.0, 10, 20, 40, 80, 100
pH Low - 6.0, 6.4, 6.6, 6.8, 7.0, 7.2, 7.6
pH high - 7.4, 7.8, 8.0, 8.2, 8.4, 8.8
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