Water Test Kit Question

[ColR1948]

I am on for my second liquid test kit as my old one was drastically running very low, so I bought another one with the chemicals I required and used most.

The one I bought was a different make to the old one and I noticed on the old for example it said use 5 x drops for testing such and such, on the new one it says use 8 x drops for the same test. Obviously the strength of the liquid is not as strong or different, do they do this so you can't top up with another brand?

Also just a thought and I'm not penny pinching, but if say for example it says use 8 x drops in 5ml in the tube, could 4 x drops work in 2.5ml?

 

[Aquascaper]

Stick to the amounts stated, they are chemical reactions that require certain amounts. Messing around with the amounts will result in false readings and make the whole exercise pointless.

Different makes may have different amounts of the active ingredients which is why they differ, this won't have anything to do with stopping you from mixing them up.

Also, testing smaller volumes will be less accurate. For example testing 1ml will not be as accurate as testing 1 litre.

 

[Spurry]

as already said mate just follow what it says, just because you have 2 liquid test kits does not mean there the same there are many ways to skin a rabbit as they say
dont mix them, just do what it says on the tin...

 

[ColR1948]

I wasn't thinking of mixing them, I just wondered why different kits quote different measures for the same test really.

The last part of my post was just a thought too, I do follow the instructions, thanks any way.

 

[Spurry]

ok sorry i will try to explain better

say you buy a ammonia test kit that is liquid, API use the SALICYLATE method, some other brands may use the NESSLER method, there both liquid but clearly different
using different chemicals to achieve the same result.... hope this helps..

 

[ColR1948]

No probs Spurry, I understand what you mean now.

So really if for example you are using test kit A and run low on Nitrate test fluid, and you buy test kit B you can't top up with the fluid from the test kit A, so you have to dump it of make sure you buy test kit a again.

I'm glad you mentioned the different fluids, I wonder if or how many have done just what i said and topped up the new with the old thinking it is the same stuff.

 

[ColR1948]

Sorry double posted.

 

[Spurry]

Only if its the same brand, some brands sell refills and you can buy just what you have run out of, what brand are they you have..

 

[ColR1948]

My old one was Hagen Nutrafin but the one I just bought was API master test kit.

 

[Spurry]

There you go nutrafin are nessler, api are salicylate so different test same result

I've used both and both are good IMO I have API at the moment...