The Best Test Money Can Buy

[saz326]

I would imagine as the tests are manufactured that they would be tested against known valued sources to prevent any legal issues

Andy

You'd certainly hope so - but then we all know the "Cycle" saga, and we all know certain companies push their luck with products..... tetra 5 in 1 test strips for example - How did they ever get the okay to be on sale?

Shame its not all as straight forward as Ronseal quick drying wood stain - does exactly what it says on the tin.

...sorry - being very pesimistic today - but hopefully everyone understands the reasoning behind it.

Do we actually know of any UKAS approved test kits? (United Kingdom Accreditation Service: check that all chemicals are what they say they are etc.)

 

[jmkgreen]

Quite funny this topic asks for the best that money can buy, then the post asks for the best value for money, but hey...

As to accuracy, I agree some form of known formal testing should certify products.

As to cycling, the manufacturers do not exactly provide much evidence that their products work. Indeed you'll probably find more science in cosmetic ads where 71% of 26 women (who responded to the magazine survey) agreed to the claim...

Pity that the main industry rag doesn't push for more science in the products off the shelf. So many fish must die just because the shop staff sell unproven products knowingly or otherwise.

Indeed looking at these forums and hearing stories from other fishkeepers you might argue that shop staff have to carry the can for a lot of mis-information about starting a new tank. This may be justified by them when looking at product literature though. To say that after switching everything on wait three days before adding fish (without any other action) is not only incorrect it's dangerous.

 

[mike os]

If you want the best then you need to look here hanna instruments this is the best you will get without spending real money.

most liquid tests have a reasonable range of accuracy, close enough for our purposes anyway.... I would think "fit for purpose" rather than total accuracy would be the manufacturers argument

 

[ALW]

API Freshwater Master Test Kit cant beat it!

 

[matchstickman47]

30 quid is a little to expensive for a 16 yr old..... how long do these liquid tests last if i test 3 tanks every week ?

or how many tests can you get out of it?

this is for the API,

 

[lilacamy931]

API - found £14 brand new on Ebay, I was testing mine daily on multiple tanks for about 3 months (dont anymore as not as scared lol) only just run out of the nitrates bottle, nitrites and ammonia and ph still going strong! They last a long time and much more accurate than test strips!

 

[Truck]

saliferts for fresh and marine...arguably the most accurate on the market for liquid testers

 

[JohnRossDele]

The API freshwater master kit

About £18 on ebay, some fish stores charge as much as £30 for it

Andy

Edit: you beat me to it Davo

yep, u saved me some £££££££

 

[arobinson1984]

Matchstickman - You can either pick up the API kit on ebay or from charterhouse-aquatics.co.uk for around £19

The full kit provides 800 tests in total, if you were testing 3 tanks weekly it would prob last roughly a year if not a bit more, it is fairly expensive upfront but works out MUCH cheaper in the long run

Andy