Test Kits?

I will stand by Lamotte until the end of time. I have the following kits: nitrate, phosphate, calcium, alk. I like the fact that they are very scientific, but difficult to screw up. Most of the kits are color changing indicators. So if you are colorblind you are screwed I guess. They are kind of pricey but refills are available. They are initially expensive, IMO, because the testing hardware is pretty bomber. I used Salifert and Seachem previously and those kits, compared to Lamotte, are a freaking joke.

 

So you're saying Lamotte is right up there with API? ;-)

--AJ

 

I've never used API. Are they crappy or something?

I went with Lamotte because that guy that seemed to me like a fish genius (einstein?) was using them and spoke so highly of them....

 

I use API...they are OK but sometimes it's hard to tell exactly what your result is because the colors can be so close to one another. They are easy on your pocketbook in comparison. I've heard very good things about both Salifert and Lamotte.

--AJ

 

i just got an Elos magnesium test kit and so far it isnt to bad, the vile changes distinct colors so that helps alot, but magnesium testing just sucks in general haha other than that all the kits i've used have been API just cause i could afford them

 

I have always used API. They are cheap and reliable. Most things I have found people complaining about how to tell the color diffence dont know your suppose to look down into the vial.

 

Hmm...I believe you're wrong Nick. I'll look for something to verify, but I could have sworn that the instructions say to hold the vial in front of the card (the white part) and try to match the color to the left part...that's the first I've ever heard of looking down into the vial.

--AJ

 

I have both...but honestly, I don't use them too much. I'm lazy and if stuff looks happy, I just assume that everything is in check. You kind of get used to how things are supposed to look and if something start to not look as good as it normally does, out come the test kits and I see if I can find out what's going on. One of these days, that's going to bite me....but that's how I do it.

--AJ

 

i've tested my water once since i moved my tank in december....

 

Posted By PotRoast on 03/03/2010 02:52 PM
Most of the kits are color changing indicators. So if you are colorblind you are screwed I guess. 
I am color blind....and yes, I'm basically screwed when it comes to reading some of the colors. I have my kids help me distinguish the bands on the cards.
I use API...cheap, but I don't have a comparison against other brands, so I can't really comment on accuracy. It'd be better to have something like they had on Star Trek...point the meter at something and it tells you exactly the chemical content...that'd be easy...and, being color blind wouldn't matter !

 

i like the star trek idea /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/smile.gif

 

I use API because they are relatively inexpensive and close enough to tell you if something is wrong.  Like AJ said above I'm also lazy and have learned that watching the tank and noticing any changes is the most reliable indicator, particularly between testings.