Poorly goldfish

17 posts • Page 2 of 2

Discuss all topics related to freshwater and planted tanks.


Alasse
 
Posts: 993
Joined: Sun May 09, 2010 5:35 am
Location: QLD Australia

by Alasse

I have the API liquid kit, havent had an issue with it not picking things up. Is the kit out of date?


natalie265
Site Admin
 
Posts: 746
Joined: Sat Nov 01, 2008 9:48 pm

by natalie265

No. It's less than a year old. I actually have TWO API kits. One for my home tank and one for my work tank. Neither kit has ever picked up any nitrates, even when i neglected my work tank over summer break. I guess it's possible they were already expired when i purchased them, but whatever the reason, i don't entirely trust them. Plus i think they're kind of a pain in the ass. :)


yasherkoach
 
Posts: 1306
Joined: Sat Jul 26, 2008 1:24 pm

by yasherkoach

personally I have API liquid kits for years, very accurate...but there is much more professional kit:

saltwater:

http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/p ... atid=14692

freshwater (and saltwater):

http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/p ... 5477&r=848

by Red Sea product line


Alasse
 
Posts: 993
Joined: Sun May 09, 2010 5:35 am
Location: QLD Australia

by Alasse

Are you doing the test correctly? Just asking, cause i got it wrong the 1st time and it gave an incorrect reading.


natalie265
Site Admin
 
Posts: 746
Joined: Sat Nov 01, 2008 9:48 pm

by natalie265

Well, i'm pretty sure i am. What could i be doing wrong? I shake the chemicals really well before i drop them in. I put in the correct number of drops. I shake. I wait a couple of minutes before reading my results.


natalie265
Site Admin
 
Posts: 746
Joined: Sat Nov 01, 2008 9:48 pm

by natalie265

Wow, those kits are kinda pricy, yasher. Have you ever used them?


yasherkoach
 
Posts: 1306
Joined: Sat Jul 26, 2008 1:24 pm

by yasherkoach

I use the same kit that Alasse uses, the API

except for (high) ph which is a Red Sea brand...it may be a little high in price but it is very accurate, more so than API

also I do agree that the liquid test kits' directions must be followed exactly as stated...for instance, on the API nitrate, on the second bottle, one must shake it for 30 seconds, then after putting in the drops into the glass vial, one must shake it for 60 seconds

I am sure some may skimp on this process; also the water line in the glass vial must be exact...again, I am sure some will not think this really matters

One ppm is equivalent to 1 milligram of something per liter of water (mg/l) or 1 milligram of something per kilogram soil (mg/kg).

ppm = parts per million...so even a small amount of water off the glass vial line can wreck havoc with the reading

we must be accurate as possible while water testing...test strips are less accurate; API are more accurate and Red Sea is much more accurate...all depends on how accurate we want to be

(((just thought)))

Poorly goldfish

17 posts • Page 2 of 2

12
Display posts from previous: Sort by: