Hagan Master Test Kit

[fm1978]

Does anyone rate this test kit?

I know I'm going over old ground again with those who have read my previous posts, so sorry about that!

Any advice on it would be gratefully received.

 

[the_lock_man]

Good kit, but quite pricey compared to the API (unless I was ripped off!)
 
I don't really think you need to invest in another kit, personally, until we see whether leaving the filter pads alone starts getting your cycle going.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Hagen has two different multiple test master kits. I was recently researching their kits.
 
The big kit: It includes 10 test parameters for Phosphate, Calcium, Nitrate, Nitrite, Ammonia, pH High Range, pH Low Range, Carbonate Hardness, General Hardness, and Iron.
 
The mini kit: The Mini Master Test Kit is essential for the weekly testing of fresh water fish. Comes complete with stand, test tubes, pipettes, pH Wide range, Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate.
 
So do you really need the phosphate, iron calcium and two pH kits? If not, go for the Mini-master. You can get GH and/or KH individually. Of course check the economics of this since I have no prices.
 
That all said I was not impressed by the test directions I read. The almost invariably points one to using more and more of their bacterial starter "Cycle" which contains the wrong nitrite oxidizing bacteria for tank use.
 
Since most of the test methods used in hobby kits are pretty much the same, I am not sure what the benefits of any one might be over any other. Better tests come from the world of research and would not make sense for the average hobbyists. the cheapest ammonia one would be the good test strips (yes they do exists) but for ammonia alone it would cost about $20. A better one is about $80 and a pretty good one $400. They go as high as $10,000.
 
The other issue I have with them is I have a person telling me their Nutrafin ammonia kit uses one reagent and you read the result instantly, But the US ammonia test for which I can DL the info from the Hagen site is a kit that is a modified salycilate test. It uses three reagents (as opposed the the standard 2) and requires a 20 minute wait before reading results. So which is it?
 
In any case what I do believe about test kits is it is important to use the same brand over and over. That way hopefully any errors will be consistent from test to test. this should mean even if the numbers might not be real accurate, the direction of changes in them should be reliable. You should know when levels are rising and falling. An for the most part they are only a problem at the extremes and pretty decent in between.

 

[fm1978]

Good kit, but quite pricey compared to the API (unless I was ripped off!)
 
I don't really think you need to invest in another kit, personally, until we see whether leaving the filter pads alone starts getting your cycle going.

It is pricier than the API kit (£16.95 ebay) at £48.95, which I don't mind paying for if it's the right thing and good value. I'd rather not have to buy a 3rd Ammonia test but I'm pretty frustrated about not knowing for sure.

That said I'll take your advice and bide my time for the moment... It's not like any of my wee guys are showing signs of illness - Lt Shiny Sides' red/white spot has cleared up now.

 

[fm1978]

Hagen has two different multiple test master kits. I was recently researching their kits.
 
The big kit: It includes 10 test parameters for Phosphate, Calcium, Nitrate, Nitrite, Ammonia, pH High Range, pH Low Range, Carbonate Hardness, General Hardness, and Iron.
 
The mini kit: The Mini Master Test Kit is essential for the weekly testing of fresh water fish. Comes complete with stand, test tubes, pipettes, pH Wide range, Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate.
 
So do you really need the phosphate, iron calcium and two pH kits? If not, go for the Mini-master. You can get GH and/or KH individually. Of course check the economics of this since I have no prices.
 
That all said I was not impressed by the test directions I read. The almost invariably points one to using more and more of their bacterial starter "Cycle" which contains the wrong nitrite oxidizing bacteria for tank use.
 
Since most of the test methods used in hobby kits are pretty much the same, I am not sure what the benefits of any one might be over any other. Better tests come from the world of research and would not make sense for the average hobbyists. the cheapest ammonia one would be the good test strips (yes they do exists) but for ammonia alone it would cost about $20. A better one is about $80 and a pretty good one $400. They go as high as $10,000.
 
The other issue I have with them is I have a person telling me their Nutrafin ammonia kit uses one reagent and you read the result instantly, But the US ammonia test for which I can DL the info from the Hagen site is a kit that is a modified salycilate test. It uses three reagents (as opposed the the standard 2) and requires a 20 minute wait before reading results. So which is it?
 
In any case what I do believe about test kits is it is important to use the same brand over and over. That way hopefully any errors will be consistent from test to test. this should mean even if the numbers might not be real accurate, the direction of changes in them should be reliable. You should know when levels are rising and falling. An for the most part they are only a problem at the extremes and pretty decent in between.

It was the bigger kit with 9/10 different tests, only some of which I feel I need. It seemed good value for money. I'll have a quick look for the mini kit, which sounds much more appropriate for my needs, however, I will probably just heed TLM's (and your) advice and hold back for the time being. As for spending thousands or even hundreds on single result test kits, I don't think I'm there just yet. I wouldn't mind the 20s or even 80s provided I know I'm going to get accuracy.

Obviously, I'm not well versed on the fine details of how the tests work or indeed why they differ in number of reagents/waiting time, but, I'd hazzard a guess, due to my cynicism, that the 'several-reagent-kits' are a ploy to make the consumer think the test is far more sophisticated than the next. Why else might you get single reagent test kits that do work well? Again, let me say that that's just a beginners guess on that.

As you suggest, I will hang onto the API kit for the moment and bank on it's consistency until such times as I feel I just can't go on... hehe. Or when you guys say, go get such 'n' such a kit right now and you won't look back!

Cheers again for all your time and input, it helps a lot.

 

[Ch4rlie]

I have to say that I do agree with fm about these test kits.
 
API test kits are ok but are very subjective between person to person. What I mean by that is the colour chart, it is kinda difficult to distinguish between certain colours/readings as everyone has their own perceptions of what the colours/reading are. 
 
Having said that, as long as it the same person reading the colours/readings test every time then you will have a general idea if the readings are going up or down so kinda reliable that way but would like something with more accuracy and easier to read and something that most hobbyist would recommend would give me a lot more confidence in these test kits.
 
Like fm, am pretty happy to pay up to say £80 for a decent, reliable test kit that can be depended on. But would not really want to pay up hundreds or thousands for these test.
 
I am kinda of a perfectionist and like to know exactly what my test results are and having confidence in these kind of test would make a lot of difference. Something that has a digital readout or easier to read and having no 2nd or even 3rd bottles or reagents would be cool as results do vary and do think is kinda a marketing gimmick to encourage you to buy more of their products.
 
Just would like a test product that does exactly what it says on the tin!

 

[fm1978]

I have to say that I do agree with fm about these test kits.
 
API test kits are ok but are very subjective between person to person. What I mean by that is the colour chart, it is kinda difficult to distinguish between certain colours/readings as everyone has their own perceptions of what the colours/reading are. 
 
Having said that, as long as it the same person reading the colours/readings test every time then you will have a general idea if the readings are going up or down so kinda reliable that way but would like something with more accuracy and easier to read and something that most hobbyist would recommend would give me a lot more confidence in these test kits.
 
Like fm, am pretty happy to pay up to say £80 for a decent, reliable test kit that can be depended on. But would not really want to pay up hundreds or thousands for these test.
 
I am kinda of a perfectionist and like to know exactly what my test results are and having confidence in these kind of test would make a lot of difference. Something that has a digital readout or easier to read and having no 2nd or even 3rd bottles or reagents would be cool as results do vary and do think is kinda a marketing gimmick to encourage you to buy more of their products.
 
Just would like a test product that does exactly what it says on the tin!

 
Yeah, it's pretty frustrating isn't it?!
 
My problem is not the reading of the colours, I can cope with the subjectivness of it all, but rather, my API Master Kit doesn't even register a Nitrite or Nitrate reading at all. I'm beginning to think it's faulty. I have been cycling for several weeks now and to think that I don't have a single bit of Nitrite in there is very odd. 
 
That's the reason I was wondering if something else might be better to try. Having said that, I bought 2 Salifert kits (Ammonia & Nitrite) which are supposed to be better than API and neither of them test positive either...

 

[Ch4rlie]

Yup, my water test results for nitrite is showing zero as well and am in 2nd week of doing fishless cycle so I want to know for sure whether my cycling is going as it should be. So am relying on these test kits.
 
Hopefully this forum can come up with some kinda answer as to which kits are most dependable and most recommended etc.
 
Good to know I am not the only one who questions these test kits and results!

 

[fm1978]

There have been a few threads on the same issue - some of them getting very technical!
 
I'm going to try another type of kit and if I think it's better than the API stuff, I'll surely let you know.
 
That Hagen Master one was just less than £50 and had more tests than I think we, as beginners need, but the Mini version mentioned by 2Tank might be the one to go for at about £20...
 
http/www.arkpetsonline.co.uk/nutrafin-mini-master-test-kit-p-820.html?gclid=CN2p_9zy1rgCFeXMtAodvSEAlA
 
I don't think I can hold on for much longer without knowing for sure what's going on. I might have to get this sooner rather than later...