Ph And Ammonia Meters By Seachem

[syntax_error]

I'v seen Ammonia and PH meters by Seachem at the LFS (branded Amonia Alert[sup]Tm[/sup] and Ph Alert[sup]TM[/sup]). They cost around CND $11.
Has anybody used them?
Are they worth it?

http/www.seachem.com/products/product_pa...moniaAlert.html
http/www.seachem.com/products/product_pages/pHAlert.html

 

[Bignose]

They are in no way comparable to liquid tests. If you are really worried about it, then piece-of-mind is probably worth $11, but in terms of measuring water stats these things give you a guess, at best.

I'll tell you a little secret here, I haven't tested my tanks for ammonia or pH in quite a long time now -- well over a year and a half. Once the tank has been up for a while, fully cycled and no problems present themselves, I don't see a need to test. I have a brand new test kit, still sealed in its original plastic wrapping read to go if problems do present themselves, but until they do, I don't plan on testing. The point of this little aside is to say that once you get your tank fully set up and cycled, you don't need to know the pH and ammonia readings at all times. And, so long as you stick to your maintenance and partial water change routine, you shouldn't need to know them unless a problem presents itself.

 

[rdd1952]

Same here as far as tests are concerned. Until about 2 months ago, it had probably been well over a year since I had tested my pH and I only did then because I was tying to help someone that was having pH problems and I needed to know mine. I can't remember the last time I tested ammonia and nitrite.

 

[-germ-]

I have one in my gourami tank, its never shown anything but normal since its been there so it definately works
Plus it is good for pleco love;
like this, if it works?
Yeah, to be honest i wouldn't know if it works, my tester was bought ages ago but i never check it, knowing my tank maintenance habits are reasonably good.

 

[syntax_error]

Thanx for the quick replies. I didn't know you dont have to test very often once everything's up and going. Those seem to be quite convenient that's why I was curious. Then I should stick with the liquids.
haha that's one crazy fella you got there germ

 

[sheree]

i had an ammonia test which always showed normal. i then set up a new tank and as i was cycling it knowing the ammonia would be high, i moved the ammonia test into it to see if it chanaged but it didn't. so i'm not sure whether i just got a one which didn't work but i wouldn't have another. the liquid ones are certainly best

 

[rdd1952]

As shereezy said, the cheap meters can be very inaccurate. I wouldn't trust them in a new tank as my only way of knowing if there was ammonia present.