Equipment to test water

[hammy]

Hi there, anyone knows if there are any other mechanical/electronic devices that allows one to test water besides the 'chemical' test kit offered?

Temperature can be measured by thermometer, salinity can be measured by hydrometer, CO2 can be measured by CO2 indicator. But what about the rest like pH, GH, kH, etc? (Have i miss out any other parameters?) :P

I know there is an electronic test pen to measure pH. But how reliable is that? And is the pen more feasible as compared to the chemical test kit?

Selwyn

[imported_bttay]

For planted tank I use test kits for NO3, PO4, Fe.
Once a while I test KH as I have limestone in my tank.
I have a pH test pen. It is better than using chemical method. Firstly it is faster/easier to use and secondly, it can detect the "in between" values that cannot really be shown on the color chart of a chemical pH test kit.

[zmzfam]

The pH test pen is quite reliable. However, you might need to also get the calibration liquid if it does not come with your pH test pen. Once in a while you need to calibrate the pen against the liquid - which is of a known pH value.

The pen is also useful if you have a lot of tanks....

[hammy]

So if given a choice, should i go for the $38 one or the $70++ one?

Selwyn

[imported_bttay]

The $38 one most likely is not water proof. You just need to be careful not to drop it into the tank. The more expensive ones (some cost over $100) are water proof, so there is no such worry. In terms of accuracy, I don't think there is significant difference.