Water Test Kit

[alphareffa]

At last month's ARC meeting, the speaker recommended a couple of different water test kits. Could someone pls reply with the names of those kits and maybe a little info on the pros and cons of different methods. I see a lot of options out there and don't know what is best (or better).

thx, kevin.

[bastion666]

Over at Reef Central the general consensus is that Salifert is a good series of test kits.

I use Tetra for some things, Seachem for Calcium. Ordering the full Salifert series of kits to replace the current ones.

Welcome to boards alpha!

[cyberchef]

I would suggest either Salifert or Hach. Hach kits can be bought directly from Hach. I personally prefder the Hach test kits, especially where color matching is involved. The use a vial system similair to Pool test kits where the colors are right next to the test water making it very easy to match the colors.

http://www.hach.com/

[alphareffa]

one of the one's mentioned last month did not require color matching. You kept adding drops until there was a color change - i.e. some sort of "flash point" was reached. This was supposedly better (more precise) becuase you didn't have to play the color matching game.

Does that ring any bells?

[wildemon]

That process is called titration and it is indicative of the test, not the manufacturer. Testing for alkalinity for example is done by slowly dropping an acid until all the buffering is used up and the colour changes. A test like pH will use subtle changes of colour compared to a master chart, either printed or plastic dyed shades.

Since Tom talk was dealing with Calcium, I assume you need that test. The commonly available SeaChem test does use a titration technique with an easy to see rose to blue. Salifert says about their's "The color change is precise, detecting small but significant fluctuations in the concentration of calcium." LaMotte Calcium is also a titrator as is Hach's Calcium test. The last two are somewhat more expensive and used professionally. Salifert and Seachem are hobby oriented.

[graffyn]

Salifert

titration

[Schwaggs]

I use Salifert. Reasonably priced and easy to use.

Although I will say that it can be tricky to tell when the Alk and Calium test "flash" to the other color. Calcium starts pink and goes to blue where Alk starts blue and goes to pink/red. So between both points is purple. It's up to you to tell when purple is blue or red. I use a printed sheet to compare the test solution to blue and red. I just do it the same way each time so I know the relative movement of the parameters.

Salifert Magnezium actually flashes from one to the other. One drop and it's the other color. Highly reccomended.