test kits

[armageddon]

not sure if this is the place to post, but just curious.
what brand of test kits do you use?

and what are the parameters do you guys measure and what is considered hardcore measurement? hahahaha

maybe can share a little of what you usually measure and what are the parameters that works for you.

lastly, any idea where to find devices that measure these parameters? as compared to just liquid test kits.

thanks.

[armageddon]

i know there is API, Tetra and Sera. why do you use that specific brand?

[Urban Aquaria]

I use the API Freshwater Master Test Kit... mainly because i managed order it at good price from an eBay seller a while back and have been using it ever since.

Nowadays i only test ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels a few weeks after i start a new tank, just once to make sure that everything is stable before i add livestock, after that i don't test that tank anymore (unless something odd happens).

Currently i also use a HM Digital TDS meter and a Hanna pH Meter (both ordered from Amazon.com, gotta love free global shipping!).

I use the TDS meter quite regularly because it helps me to adjust water change frequencies for my tanks and determine acclimation timings for new fishes or shrimps.

[Suzerolt]

I use API test kits. Found them very cheap on Amazon.
Ammonia, Nitrate, Nitrite, Phosphate, GH, KH, pH. The iitems in bold are those I would take note of. The rest are just good to have.

I've noticed the importance of give the Nitrate test kit a good shake/mix before using. I believe the components in the test bottle settles easily.
If I don't shake the bottle, I get 0ppm nitrate even though I've added loads of KNo3. After a good shake, reading appears more correct.

[armageddon]

Cool. Seems like API is the prefered brand from both reviews for the moment.. how about any reviews on sera and tetra?

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[chazrt]

I use API as well. Easy to use and widely available.

[armageddon]

How about test sticks?

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[Danialavr]

Test strips can be unreliable and they dont last long after opening. Best to go for liquid test kits and PH/TDS pen. I'm using API too, seems to be the most popular after reading forums.

[armageddon]

anyway to find meters for these? gH, kH, No2, No3 ammonia meters? lol. it will save alot if there are meters available

[Urban Aquaria]

I've checked online for those ammonia and nitrate meters before, but they tend to be relatively expensive equipment (like $250-$350 price range), seems like more for industrial or lab use.

So far, i've only seen TDS and pH meters available in consumer-grade models at "reasonable" prices (ie. $30-$40).

An interesting alternative would be the Seneye aquarium monitoring system (costs around $150-$200+), it measures pH, ammonia, temperature, water level in real time and sends the data to your PC and smartphone, the cool part about it is the Reef version also comes with a light meter which measures PAR, LUX and Kelvin (this feature alone is already a big selling point). Only thing is it uses a subscription based system which means you need to buy replacement slides which have to be changed monthly.

[Suzerolt]

The Seneye device looks interesting. I understand that the slide (a consumable) is about $15-$20 per piece & lasts about 1 month. The slide is required to measure pH & Ammonia levels.
Without the slide, the device can still measure temperature & Light levels.