Test Kits

[Talisman]

Hi all. Im looking at getting a kit for water testing. I guess the important ones are, ammonia, nitrate and nitrite + ph. Is it better to get separate individual kits, or one that will do all?


I dont want to get a kit that will do 4 or 5 tests then need top ups, i want something that is going to last a while before buying top up bottles.

Any particular type to get or to avoid??

Thanks

 

[rvm]

They all do pretty much the same job, and it is cheaper to get them as a master test kit as oppose to individual tests. I use the Interpet easy test tablet kit as I find it has a very clear indication of levels. I have used the Hagen test before, and find that especially with the ammonia test, it is such an insignificant colour change between 0 and 0.1ppm that it is hard to tell the difference!!
You are right about the important tests you need to have, I never use any of the others and I very rarely test my water now anyway, but get what you feel you need.

 

[NickT]

aquarium pharmicuticals master test kit. its got all you need! and you never know when you might need to check hardness and co2 lvl's. and if you plan on buying those 4 kits your better off buying the master becus its about the smae price as all 4 of those.

 

[Talisman]

ok so the full monty is the way to go instead of individual, anyone got a link to a website handy for one of these ?

 

[Cheese Specialist]

I always use the liquid tests, I would avoid the strips. I hear them to be very unreliable.

I have the API master test kit available here

 

[Talisman]

Thanks for that Cheese. Looks like the master test kit is the way to go there. Just the sort of answer i was looking for. Thanks for that.

Crackin tanks pics too

 

[Gunnie]

Might I suggest the master test kit by AP that contains the nitrate test. You need to know when you have nitrates to know when your tank is cycled. I paid as much for the nitrate test and I would have for the master test kit! Also, this master test kit with the nitrate test also has the ammonia test which is a 2 part test, and will not show a false positive if you have to use ammo lock or amquel in your tank. AP makes 2 master test kits with different tests in them. I recommend this one.

 

[clutterydrawer]

READ the details before you buy any master test kit, often they omit the silliest things, for example I've ntoiced a few "master" test kits don't even have an ammonia test. though I expect the one people here have recommended are fine.

for future reference...stick with liquid kits, and don't use the Hagen ammonia test if you have tannin in your water.

 

[Talisman]

thanks peeps, the api master kit Cheese recommended covers ammonia, nitrate, nitrite and ph.

 

[Paul_MTS]

yeh i'm using both API and hagen and i would say the PAI any day, you only use 1 chemical per test unlike Hagen with 2/3 chemicals the colour changes are alot more obvious and not so important but the colour match cards are plastic and not a paper booklet which gets wet.

At work we use API bottles and i bought a Hagen 1 a while back before trying API. I was on holiday and purely based my decision on the make i knew and trusted!!

 

[Cheese Specialist]

thanks peeps, the api master kit Cheese recommended covers ammonia, nitrate, nitrite and ph.

It does indeedy, altough it did not used to contain the NitrAte one when I got mine. It was not far off a year ago that I got mine btw and it's still going strong!

 

[Barday]

Thanks all, I'm gonna go buy one now too......I lost my tetratest 5 in 1 strips

 

[Cheese Specialist]

Cool, I feel like I have done much good!

I should be on commission! He he

 

[Barday]

You haven't done much good to my wallet though!!! I ended up spending £50

I just couldn't help myself!

 

[Talisman]

£50...... what did you get the gold plated api master kit

there about £20 from what ive seen, and im going to get one asap tooooooo.

my LFS told me they had a tablet test kit, and thanks to you guys n girls i said.......... no thanks

they have the individual liquid test, so may get the amonia one tonight and order the package.