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FAQs about Marine Water Test Gear, Use,
Related Articles:
Product Review
Marineland Labs/Aquarium Systems Hydrometer, Part 1 By Steven
Pro, Captive
Seawater Quality,
Nutrient Control and Export,
Seawater Test Kits,
Nitrates,
Nitrites, Ammonia,
Phosphate, Related FAQs: Marine
Test Gear 1, Marine Test Gear 2, Marine
Test Gear 3, FAQs
on: Rationale,
Selection, Use,
Troubleshooting, Testing Methods:
Liquid Reagent/Colorimetric, Dry
Reagent Test/ing, "Paper",
Titrametric, Electronic &
About Brands/Manufacturers, &
Specific Gravity, |
Some Better Brands:
Hach
LaMotte
Some Good Ones:
Aquarium Systems
Salifert,
http://salifert.com/
SeaChem
Tetra
Tropic Marin
Sera
Some So-So:
Aquarium Pharmaceuticals (liquid)
Hagen/Nutrafin
Kent
Marine Enterprises
Red Sea |
Salifert KH Test Kits 7/1/08
I am hearing rumors about a bad
batch of Salifert KH test kits. A friend has one that reads off the
charts every time, even in natural seawater purchased from the store.
It's brand new, and his DKH was 10 to 11 until he had to buy a new kit.
Have you guys heard anything about this?
<Yes, there was apparently a
bad run that was quickly recalled and remedied. A few kits did make it
to market (this was quite a few months back). This is a good company
with great test kits (still my choice), this sometimes happens to the
best of us. I suggest he/she take the kit back to where he purchased it
along with a water sample from his tank, let them compare the difference
(and hopefully refund).>
Thanks
Richard
<Welcome, Scott V.>
Re: Long Tentacled Anemone/Health 4/8/08
The filtration in the
tank consists of two Emperor 400 power filters on each side of the tank.
Are the 4-7 week ph/ ammonia/ nitrate/ite in-tank test kits effective?
<If you are referring to the Mardel Live Meter, they are for freshwater
tanks only.
James (Salty Dog)>
This one's got me!! Nitrogenous test kits – 06/07/07
Crew,
<Michael>
I have had a 20 gallon saltwater system set up for about 4
months. I ran into a problem about a month ago with high nitrites and
nitrates. I moved the livestock to a QT tank and most of them made it
(didn't have much since I just started, just 3 clowns,
<Better to
just have two... a third will be brutalized in time...>
1 flame angel
<... not enough room for this species here>
and one red mushroom
remain) I know, the flame angel will eventually go to a 200 g when we
finally get that going, hopefully soon).
<Wait till then>
At the
time I decided to upgrade the 20 g and install an internal overflow and
hard plumb it to the 10 gallon sump below.
<Good practice>
Finally got that done about 2 weeks ago. For equipment I have the 10 g
sump, a 4.5 g hang on back refugium with miracle mud and Chaeto, a
Remora skimmer and about 25 lbs of LR. When I set up the new system I
put in a new substrate of CaribSea Arag-ALIVE. The LR is fully cured and
when I set up the new tank, I used about 16 gallons of water from the QT
tank (55 g) to get the 20 g tank going again. Since I had a new
substrate I figured the tank would have to cycle again.
<Likely so>
I have been testing everyday with Salifert test kits and it has shown
Nitrites .5 - 1.0
<Hopefully sans livestock presence>
and Nitrates
5 - 10. Getting low on those test kits, I found a Hach Saltwater Master
test kit direct from Hach for $58 which included 50 tests each of
Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate and pH (what a steal I thought).
<...!>
Got the new tests yesterday and of course had to try them out. The Hach
test kit shows undetectable amounts of Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate on
the 20 g. Being puzzled, I did the same test with the Salifert kits
which showed Nitrites around 1 and Nitrates around 10. So, I did the
same testing with the QT tank. Same results, Hach undetectable, and
Salifert show Nitrites 1 and Nitrates 10. Trying to get the bottom of
it, I decided to test my pre-mixed saltwater which I use RODI water with
a TDS of 1 and Bio-Sea Marinemix which I just mixed it last night. Hach
shows Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate undetectable, and Salifert shows
Ammonia 0, Nitrite 1 and Nitrate 5. So, is the pre-mixed salt water
supposed to be 0 for Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate?
<Yes, though some
will show nitrate and some do register some ammonia initially>
I
assume it should be since there is no bioload. I just want to make sure
my new test kit is the "bomb" before I return my livestock to the 20 g
display. Do you think my tank is ready, or should I wait until Salifert
shows I have 0 Nitrites (which could be never).
Michael Svehla
<I
would "check the checker" here... take both kits to a dealer, have them
test their water with them. I read the Salifert's as being off here.
Hach is a MAJOR manufacturer of many other companies' reagents... Bob
Fenner>
Salifert calcium test 4/16/07
Hello crew, I am wondering if anybody out there knows how to get in
touch with Salifert regarding their test kits.
<Mmm... well, their
website: http://salifert.com/ doesn't
list contact information... and they're made in Holland...>
I had
heard nothing but good things about their products so purchased a
Salifert Ca Profi test kit from the LFS to compare a suspect API calcium
test kit I have. I had low calcium on a new tank set up with live rock
that has just been cured (API -360-380) and purchased some Seachem
calcium supplements to get the Ca up. The API kit showed the CA rising
to normal levels 400-460 and stabilizing at about 440. Knowing the API
kits are middle of the road I wanted a benchmark to know if these
results are accurate, so I purchased the Salifert kit. The first
day the new kit told me my Ca was about 370 mg/l same as the API at the
time. The second day API 400 after dosing supplements Salifert 370 mg/l.
third day API 420, Salifert 370. yesterday and today 440mg/l -API
, 375mg/l- Salifert. Now here is where it gets interesting, Salifert-
good API -ok or so one would
think. My wife who works at a local
hospital as a laboratory scientist, ran a sample of my water through a
very expensive chemistry analyzer (Sundays are slow) showed calcium
at.... drum roll please.... 441mg/l, dead on with the API kit. I even
had her perform the Salifert test this morning (this is what she does
for a living as a lab scientist) with the same results She also pointed
out to me that temperature and high humidity such as found in your LFS
full of aquarium tanks could affect the reagents in a negative way and
any reagents in her lab are stored with desiccants. I would like to
contact Salifert to advise them of what I found, maybe a bad test
reagent(s)
<Am sure they will/would appreciate this... I would write
to them via their master distributors... Quality Marine in the United
States, or Tropical Marine Centre in the U.K., depending on where you
are... Both companies have websites, contact info. posted...>
I am a
bit disappointed because I've heard such great things about them and
would use the test as a benchmark for the cheaper (API) test. Any info
you kind folks could give would be greatly appreciated. I tried their
website but it has no contact info and the box only has a
European phone number. thanks guys
and gals, John P
<Ahh,
yes... I too have heard little negative re this companies main stream
assay/kits... But as your wife states, there are many influences to the
reagents... Bob Fenner>
Anemone System/Calcium Levels/Faulty
Test Kits - 08/14/06
Hello There;
<<Howdy!>>
We are looking into converting our 92 gallon FOWLR tank to a more
invertebrate type tank, specifically bubble tip anemones.
<<Mmm,
indeed creatures best kept in a "species specific" system>>
We've
been researching lighting, compatibility, feeding, and water quality.
<<Excellent...have you been through our articles/FAQs? http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/cnidaria/anthozoa/bubbletipanemones.htm
>>
Our LFS gave us a Nutrafin calcium tester as well as magnesium
tester so we can start tweaking our levels as we learn more about what
we should know to adequately care for these guys.
<<Hmm...balanced
and excellent water quality is a must, but I think you should
concentrate more at this stage on ammonia/nitrite/nitrate and
getting/keeping all at "zero"...the calcium and magnesium will
balance/be supplemented adequately through frequent water changes. An
"anemone" system will not have need for high levels/usage of these>>
We happen to have beautiful coralline growth on all of our live rocks as
well as what I assume to be "mini" bright-orange tube worms, so we
imagined our calcium levels wouldn't be too bad.
<<Are likely fine,
yes>>
Well, to our surprise, our calcium levels were well over 700,
we stopped at 760 as to not waste our newly purchased test kit.
<<I
seriously doubt this is correct...I would try a better test kit
(Salifert, Seachem) and see what you find>>
My question is; is too
much calcium bad for the anemones, and also just out of curiosity how do
you think we've managed to have such an overwhelming calcium level to
begin with? Any information you can give us is greatly appreciated.
<<An elevated calcium level shouldn't bother the anemone, but I honestly
think your test kit is in error. Try one of the brands I suggested and
retest...likely the reading will be/is much lower...I would also obtain
a kit to test your alkalinity to validate the calcium reading as these
two components are mutually exclusive (please read here for better
understanding:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/calcalkmar.htm)>>
-Thanks
<<Happy
to assist. Regards, EricR>> Aquarium Systems Test
Kits...Going Out Of Business?? 8/7/06
To all,
<Chris>
Hope all is well at WetWebMedia.
<Is OK.>
I have 3
quick questions.
I have a master test kit from Aquarium Systems, it
is a FasTesT, and I also have a FasTesT alkalinity test.
I have been
through a few different companies, and these tests seem to me to be
accurate, repeatable, and easy to use.
<Yes, a reliable kit for the
money.>
I'm having trouble finding them online, and in my phone call
to one major supplier, they told me that these were no longer going to
be available as the company is going out of business.
<The supplier
or Aquarium Systems. Very unlikely the latter will go out of business.>
1) Do you know if this is true?
<I'd say no unless Mr. Fenner heard
something in the wind.> <<Still in business, though sold... still being
made as far as I'm aware. RMF>>
2) Do you know if they are going to
be available under some other name?
<I know they are now called
Instant Ocean Test Kits. Drs. Foster & Smith handle these kits.>
3) If not, what tests do you recommend? I think I read that Anthony
likes Salifert?
<Salifert is a reliable kit. I have had no problems
with Aquarium Systems kits.
I really want to stick with the ones I
use, because I trust what they're telling me about my tank. I do use a
Seachem calcium test that seems to work well.
<It does.>
Any
thoughts?
<Out of curiosity I am going to contact someone I know at
Aquarium Systems and settle the matter. Will post his reply on
the
dailies.>
Thanks!
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
Chris
Marine Test Kit Readings Off The Chart! – 01/29/07
My husband
and I just bought a Red Sea marine testing kit for our salt water tank.
<<I am not a fan of colorimetric test kits. Many hobbyists have trouble
matching up colors on the charts used with these kits...and many of the
kits are just wildly inaccurate bunk in my opinion. Much better to use
titration method test kits of quality manufacture (Seachem, Salifert,
etc.)>>
When he tested the pH and alkalinity they were both off the
charts.
<<This may well be so...but I would confirm this reading
with another brand of test kit>>
The kit tells you what to do if
these two items are too low but doesn’t say anything on how to correct
them if they are too HIGH.
<<Partial water changes with properly
prepared artificial seawater are a safe and effective method>>
All
the other levels in the tank seem fine, other than the ammonia which is
at .25ppms.
<<Mmm...has this tank been correctly/completely
cycled?>>
This kit has been helpful but does not help us at all with
trying to fix the problem before something more happens, like our sea
creatures dying.
<<Do validate these kits, but in the meantime the
partial water change can’t hurt>>
We would appreciate any help
anyone can give us ASAP.
Thanks,
Sarah
<<I sense you and
your husband are new to the marine hobby...I’m happy to help out/answer
your questions Sarah, but please do avail yourself of the plentitude of
information on our site and elsewhere. Please spend some time
reading/learning at the following links and beyond. Regards, EricR
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/estbiofiltmar.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume_2/cav2i5/Filtration/Filtration.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/martstkitfaqs.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ammoniamarart.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/maintenance/marineMaint.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/water.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/water4maruse.htm >>
Test Kits
Hello, I had asked a question about probably water
toxin problem. Well the bad news is that I lost the yellow tang and
several green Chromis. The good news is that the Maroon Clown , Wrasse,
and the yellow tail damsel are looking better. I still do not know what
happened. I did 5 gallon water changes daily and I think things are
better. The mushrooms and the polyps still do not look good. I am
wondering if my test kits are not very good. What is a good quality
test kit? Thanks Tracy
<I'm very sorry to hear of the losses, my
friend. But I am reassured to hear of your wonder and sleuthing
intuition. It is true that most hobbyist test kits are mediocre at best.
Too many are shamelessly inaccurate or unreliable. For a top shelf
choice... go for Hach or LaMotte. For a cheap hobbyist kit, I like most
of the Aquarium Systems line. They cannot compare though. Best regards,
Anthony> LaMotte or Hach test kits
Are there any brands
of test kit that are particularly reliable?
<most hobby test kits are
weakly reliable at best. Although I personally like most of Aquarium
systems line. None can compare to Hach or LaMotte brand though. Well
worth the investment.>
I have been using Aquarium Pharmaceuticals and
Red Sea brands purchased at Petco. Both are testing negative for
nitrites. The AP brand ammonia is very hard to interpret due to the
subtlety of the color changes, but it seemed t be zero to me. Then I
tested with the RS one and got 0.25! I then tested fresh RO Seawater
(made with red sea salt) and also got 0.25. Needless to say, I no longer
trust either test.
<agreed>
Any recommendations? Thanks, Steve
Allen
<best regards, my friend. As per above. Anthony> -
Test kit Recommendations -
Yo, Crew...
<Good morning, JasonC
here...>
I am a new marine aquarist with a 37 FOWLR tank. In your
opinion, who makes the best/most reliable water test kits and what tests
should I perform with what frequency? I have read varying opinions and
value your thoughts.
<Depending on how much money you want to
spend... Hach and LaMotte make some of the best kits available to the
hobbyist, but they are also the most expensive. Salifert, Sera, and
SeaTest are less expensive and quite reliable. In all cases, the
reagents used for the tests have a shelf life so make sure you get fresh
ingredients and replace them when their expiration date hits. As for a
test regimen, while the tank is cycling you should probably test at
least once a week and nothing is stopping you from testing every day or
every other day - for typical cycle testing you need ammonia, nitrite,
and nitrate tests. Once the tank has cycled you should continue to test
nitrates every so often, but it is less important. I will admit to not
having tested nitrates in months... perhaps I'd better go do that now
;-) If you begin to lean towards more of a reef tank than FOWLR, you
should test for nitrates more often in addition to calcium, alkalinity,
phosphate, and maybe even iodine. Oh and don't forget a device to test
your specific gravity and pH - always good to know what those numbers
are.>
Thanks for the input!
Bob
<Cheers, J -- > Spot
test of Silica and sodium 9/3/05
Do you know of any spot
testing kits for sodium and silica in water treatment applications?
Best Regards,
Allan L. Macaraig
Chemical & Environmental
Engineer
<I would try LaMotte and Hach companies... if they don't
list these tests specifically, contact their tech.s via the Net, phone.
Bob Fenner> High phosphates not detected with old test kit
Hi crew,
I have been battling hair algae (Derbesia) in a 90 gal reef
/ 30 gal sump. I have been removing algae manually, reduced feedings,
reduced light (650w total de HQI) to 8 hours per day. Top off water is
from 100gpd 5 stage ro/di. I have read lots of books and this site
extensively. I have been following suggestions from these sources
without much progress. I had a small amount of razor Caulerpa in the
sump and recently added a good size Chaetomorpha and red grape algae to
the sump with ~65watts of compact fluorescent. Added SCWD on closed loop
to increase circulation.
Now for the question:
I have been using
Salifert test kits to test nitrate, nitrite, phosphates and alkalinity.
The phosphate test did not change color so I assumed the phosphate
levels were undetectable and not a problem. Today, I brought a .5 liter
sample of my tank water and my top off water to the LFS and they were
kind enough to test my water to help determine a cause for the algae.
The LFS test showed phosphates off the scale! I definitely have high
phosphate levels which helps explain the algae problem. When I got home,
I tested the same tank water bottle with my Salifert PO4 test and it
came back negative. Do the test kits expire? Should I throw out my test
kit and replace it? <Hello Pat. Usually the shelf life of the reagents
in test kits are not to be trusted much over a year with an exemption to
ph kits. If you have had it more than a year replace it and test
again. Salifert test kits are very accurate and reliable.>
On the
algae side of things, will my macro algae out-compete the hair algae and
solve my problem naturally?<It can provided other measures are taken
along with this. Phosphate removers are like band aids. If you do not
get rid of the source of phosphates you will be continually using one of
these products. You didn't mention if you do a 10% weekly water
change. This is a must for starters. You also didn't mention whether
you are using a protein skimmer, this is a must to combat nuisance
algae.> I added a poly filter as well.<The PolyFilter is a good idea,
but is not designed solely around removing phosphates.> Do I need to add
a phosphate sponge to accelerate the process? The LFS was
recommending ROWAphos phosphate remover and a pressure canister. <I use
a Magnum H.O.T. and run PhosGuard in it as a preventive measure. As
long as phosphate levels are low in the system, this will last quite
some time. Adding the macro is a good idea, it will compete for food
with the nuisance algae. I also have a Caulerpa growth in my tank. Many
aquarists are going to refugiums with a live sand bottom with some live
rock and Caulerpa and leaving the refugium lights on 24/7. A lot of
good has been reported as to the effect this has on minimizing nuisance
algae. Good luck. James (Salty Dog)>
Thanks for the info and the
great books: conscientious marine aquarist, reef invertebrates, book of
coral propagation, etc.
-Pat
Live rock from hell
Good Morning
Thank You James...
<You're welcome>
I was
thinking that last night after I sent you the e-mail so I prepared water
and I'm going to do that today. Keeping fingers crossed and hopefully
this will do the trick. One other thing, you got me thinking on those
test kits and this morning I did a barrage of testing, trying to sort
out what is accurate and it boggles my mind that I can use 3 different
manufactures and get 3 different results, even if I repeat the testing
with the same kits, I get different readings. I checked the codes
on them and they are all within a year of expiring. Think the
aquarium hobby needs to have some sort of guidelines for manufactures
because it seams they just feeding on us. I will e-mail you in a few
days and let you know how it worked out. Have a great day and thx
again.
<Frank, you have to remember that the cost of these test kits
pretty much limits how much accuracy can be had for the money. I think
they pretty much warn you whether it's good or bad. Good test kits are
available from LaMotte and Hach. You won't get them for $7.95 though. Do
a Google search for these names, they sell direct and they do list the
prices. Good luck. James (Salty Dog)> Nitrate test kits
7/25/05
I have been caring for saltwater aquariums for many years
now and have recently (about two years ago) started to maintain reefs. I
have used a variety of different test kits from dry tabs, to liquids, to
strips. I know that it probably depends on the brand but which kind is
considered "the best" or the most accurate? <I like Aquarium Systems
test kits. Reasonably priced and reasonably accurate for our
needs.>Also, I remember reading something about multiplying the number
you get by three or four or something like that to get the true nitrate
level. It had something to do with what the test kit was actually
testing for. Do you know of anything like this? <You need to know what
the test kit is measuring, nitrate as an ion or as nitrate
nitrogen. Total nitrogen is the result of the 4.4 multiple.> I am very
confused on that subject. Now any time I get a reading of any nitrate I
feel that it is to much especially if a reading of ten really means
forty.<For our purposes, a reef tank should not exceed 20ppm of
NO3-N. For fish only 20-40 is acceptable for most species, although we
don't like to keep nitrates that high as they do increase nuisance algae
growth. Hope this helps. There are FAQ's on this subject on the WWM,
keyword "nitrate testing".> Thank you for your help, Andy <You're
welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
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