Fw Test Kits

[Ch4rlie]

Right, a couple of bottles in my API FW Master Test Kit is starting to run low.
 
So am considering buying another API Test Kit.
 
However, I wonder if there are any other test kits that are a bit more accurate in tests?
 
I have read review for Maidenhead Aquatics own brand test kit, and that is quite favourable to me at the moment.
 
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/424937-maidenhead-aquatics-master-test-kit/#entry3596424
 
But would like to hear from some of you with your experiences with some or your test kits, whether they are good or bad, inaccurate, difficult to read colour chart, prices, ease of use, quality etc
 
Am also considering these -
 
http/tethysaquatics.co.uk/hagen-nutrafin-master-test-kit.html
 
http/www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kockney-Koi-Yamitsu-Fish-Pond-Water-Test-Kit-Fresh-Water-Testing-Set-/190695958479?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item2c665d67cf
 
http/www.ebay.co.uk/itm/JBL-Testlab-Complete-Fresh-Water-Test-Kit-BARGAIN-PRICE-/231034046990?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item35cab3ca0e
 
Salifert and Hach separates are also being considered. 
 
really, will come down basically on costs and accuracy, not that I am an experienced keeper by any means at all, just that I would like to try a different test kit, API one is ok but sometimes found wanting in terms of accuracy (esp shaking the hell out of Nitrate bottle number 2) and sometimes difficult to tell difference in colour chart readings.
 
If anyone knows of these or of any others would be good!
 

 

[fm1978]

I think you know where I come down on this one...
 
I'm very happy with the Maidenhead kit, but, the other kit that was on my radar was the Nutrafin one. 10 tests for about £50 seems good value to me...£5 per test when you can buy separates at over £10 in some cases. The JBL kit looks alright too, but wondering maybe if that's overkill.
 
If it were my money again and the Maidenhead one wasn't available, I'd try the Nutrafin kit.

 

[Ch4rlie]

Thanks fm, well, since there's been such an overwhelming response think gonna quit while am ahead!

Lol

Anyway, yeah gonna agree with you on that, M.A one is tempting but think may just go for the Nutrafin one, yes a bit more expensive but want to try it out and post a review after a month or two, just like you did with M.A one.

Just so that for future users there's a bit more info on good and bad test kits for novices, beginners and established keepers.

 

[fm1978]

Go for it!
 
Let us know what your initial thoughts are, though, I can't wait 2 months for a full review! 

 

[TwoTankAmin]

if you want truly accurate results, Hach.  But why would you want to spend that much money for tests you will rarely use?

 

[fm1978]

I sure would like to get my hands on one of those kits just for a wee shot. 
 
Out of interest, would those Hach kits be classed as "lab" grade, TTA?

 

[Ch4rlie]

if you want truly accurate results, Hach.  But why would you want to spend that much money for tests you will rarely use?

 
I regularly test both my tanks once a week just to keep an eye on water parameters.
 
And to be honest I quite enjoy doing these tests 

 
But thinking Hach is going to be too expensive for the average fishkeeper so probably going to go for Nutrafin Test Kit mainly due to lower cost and purely out of interest how it compares to the API test kit.
 
I am not altogether happy with the API test kit, it is ok, but thats it, ok. And I would like to learn more about different test kits anyway.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Cha4rlie- in the end you really only need to worry about one thing short term, NH3. Now you want an alarm to ring if they start to get anywhere near .05 ppm inmost cases, but in an established tanks having them go over .02 is something we need to know. The problem is most affordable kits (and that would include an under $100 one) measure Total Ammonia.
 
It is a lot easier to detect .25 ppm of total ammonia than .02 ppm of just NH3. And this makes hobby grade kits useful. Not only can they tell us if there might be any ammonia present, by testing at intervals we can usually determine if levels are moving and in which direction. The kits can provide us with actionable information as long as we are aware of their shortcomings and limitations and how to deal with them. I am not so sure how much difference hobby kit name brands differ in their accuracy, but I doubt there is a huge difference. Besides do you really care if ammonia readings went from .5 to 1.0 or they went from .25 to .75 on another brand test? Does it matter a great deal if kit A is stuck at .25 ppm and kit B at .50 if both are likely false readings.
 
I normally do not consider costs when I want or need things within reason for my tanks. I balked at the Hach stuff because it did not make sense to me unless I also bought a colorimeter to do the readings. And that made it silly unless I waned to run checks against hobby kits. I am curious, but not that much worth of curious

 

[KirkyArcher]

Personally I'd just replace the soon to be empty API test product with the separately available API replacement kit (but that's based entirely on the fact that I've had no reason to question the accuracy/results provided from the API kit) 

 

[Ch4rlie]

Thanks guys, appreciate these comments..
 
I actually want to try the Nutrafin one out, no particular reason other than curiosity really.
 
TTA - I think I already sort of knew in back of mind that the tests will not show any significant differences to the API test by no more than 0.25 ppm really. Apart form obviously dip strip tests, won't touch these with a 10ft barge pole really!
 
If I find them to be basically no different then maybe I'll just simply switch back to the API FW Test Kit depending on which I prefer or even switch to try the M.A one......its just a case of confidence in test kit.
 
I am a particular fussy one when it comes to kits for ANYTHING, be it tools for my car, tools for my work, technology does not escape my scrutiny either, I tend to stick with favourites as I know these to work reliably and knowing shortcomings and traits does actually help a lot as well as you've already mentioned, TTA.
 
Its not a foolproof way of doing things, I know, but thats just me! 

I like to try as much as I can before settling for the one I like best, its nothing to do with costs really, just confidence in your equipment/kits.