~Roy~
February 20th 06, 08:11 PM
The best and most reliable way to check yur SG is wirth a
refractometer. You can get an auto temp copmpensating refractometer
for under $40 if you look online or on ebay. For the most part if it
calibrates as instructed with distiled or RODI water its calibrated
and shoul dnot need further calibration. Swing arm hydrometers are a
joke as calcium buildup on them, micro bubbles on the swing arm, or
setting on a not perfectly level surface makes them highly erroneous,
and they do not take into consideration the temperature, which can
alter the SG readings as well. I have seen hydrometers that float, but
they are not my cup of tea. Just like other things there is good and
bad in them. I fyou buy a swing arm or a floating hydrometer, bump
them up against a refractometer, just to verify how accurate or close
they actually are, in the range your temp and SG is kept in yuor tank.
Test kits for water parameters. Aquaium Pharmaceuticals is fine for
Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate. The Seatest and FAstest are better yet
for ammonia, nitritie and nitrate as well as PH. For ALK and CAL
Salifert is the way to go.......Do not add anything to your tank
unless you have a means to check for it. If the label on the container
doe snot break down the ingredients, don;t use it since you do not
know what levels or what your dealing with, so there is no way to
Test. I normally only dose calcium in the form of B-Ionic, so other
than Ammonia, PH, Nitrite and NItrate Calcium and Alkalinity, I do not
have aneed for anay other test kits. I rely on my water changes to
su0pply any additional trace elements and all my tanks look fine
Your not going to go wrong with Seatest and Fastest kits and the
Saliferts, along with a refractometer.......As for temperature
readings, I use a coralife electronic digital thermometer. Less than
$5 on line at Big Als. (bigalsonline.com). Bumping it up against a
certified lab grade thermometer, the largest difference I have found
is less than 1/2 degree, most are just within a .2 deg or so, so
they are more than adequate for reliable and accurate temp
readings.They have a 30" long submersible lead which can be left
inside the tank permanently, and have a ready means to monitor tanks
temps.
On Sun, 19 Feb 2006 22:24:11 -0600, "
> wrote:
>><>Hi everyone,
>><>
>><>I was wondering what kind of testing equipment people use and/or
>><>recommend? Was thinking both for all kinds of water testing to
>><>temperature.
>><>
>><>Thanks,
>><>Jack
--
\\\|///
( @ @ )
-----------oOOo(_)oOOo---------------
oooO
---------( )----Oooo----------------
\ ( ( )
\_) ) /
(_/
The original frugal ponder ! Koi-ahoi mates....
refractometer. You can get an auto temp copmpensating refractometer
for under $40 if you look online or on ebay. For the most part if it
calibrates as instructed with distiled or RODI water its calibrated
and shoul dnot need further calibration. Swing arm hydrometers are a
joke as calcium buildup on them, micro bubbles on the swing arm, or
setting on a not perfectly level surface makes them highly erroneous,
and they do not take into consideration the temperature, which can
alter the SG readings as well. I have seen hydrometers that float, but
they are not my cup of tea. Just like other things there is good and
bad in them. I fyou buy a swing arm or a floating hydrometer, bump
them up against a refractometer, just to verify how accurate or close
they actually are, in the range your temp and SG is kept in yuor tank.
Test kits for water parameters. Aquaium Pharmaceuticals is fine for
Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate. The Seatest and FAstest are better yet
for ammonia, nitritie and nitrate as well as PH. For ALK and CAL
Salifert is the way to go.......Do not add anything to your tank
unless you have a means to check for it. If the label on the container
doe snot break down the ingredients, don;t use it since you do not
know what levels or what your dealing with, so there is no way to
Test. I normally only dose calcium in the form of B-Ionic, so other
than Ammonia, PH, Nitrite and NItrate Calcium and Alkalinity, I do not
have aneed for anay other test kits. I rely on my water changes to
su0pply any additional trace elements and all my tanks look fine
Your not going to go wrong with Seatest and Fastest kits and the
Saliferts, along with a refractometer.......As for temperature
readings, I use a coralife electronic digital thermometer. Less than
$5 on line at Big Als. (bigalsonline.com). Bumping it up against a
certified lab grade thermometer, the largest difference I have found
is less than 1/2 degree, most are just within a .2 deg or so, so
they are more than adequate for reliable and accurate temp
readings.They have a 30" long submersible lead which can be left
inside the tank permanently, and have a ready means to monitor tanks
temps.
On Sun, 19 Feb 2006 22:24:11 -0600, "
> wrote:
>><>Hi everyone,
>><>
>><>I was wondering what kind of testing equipment people use and/or
>><>recommend? Was thinking both for all kinds of water testing to
>><>temperature.
>><>
>><>Thanks,
>><>Jack
--
\\\|///
( @ @ )
-----------oOOo(_)oOOo---------------
oooO
---------( )----Oooo----------------
\ ( ( )
\_) ) /
(_/
The original frugal ponder ! Koi-ahoi mates....