Test Kit Survey

Dave Millman wrote:
Jim K wrote:


Which brand test kit(s) do you use and why? Are they accurate, easy to use,
reasonably priced?


Aquarium Pharmaceuticals for pH and KH. Cheap and accurate.

Nitrate: I have just concluded a long correspondance with Hagen over their
Nitrate test kit, which has failed on me twice. A search of usenet indicates
this is a known problem, and they have not fixed it. The third bottle has
suspended particulate matter, which jams the nozzle, which in turn makes the
test inaccurate (if you are strong enough to squeeze out the drops) or
unusable. They offer to replace the bottle if you complain, which is a good
thing, but they have known about the problem for at least two years and not
changed the design. Avoid it. People on this list recommend the Seachem Nitrate
kit. I have not tried it yet.

That's all you need if you follow the Tom Barr Estimative Index method. pH and
KH yield your CO2 level, and measuring Nitrate is important because you must
add it to most healthy plant tanks, and it is toxic to fish in high
concentrations. GH only needs to be measured if you don't know if your local
water has enough calcium & magnesium. It's easier to just ask a good LFS or an
expert local hobbiest.


I purchased the AP master test kit. It seems good, except that I often
have trouble reading the high range pH. I guess once it goes above 7.8
it turns a hard to read purplish brown, but I don't know which color it
corresponds to on the plastic card that comes with it.

The gH test can be a pain if you're adding a lot of drops (you have to
cap and mix the solution between drops). The nitrite test is a 5 minute
wait. The nitrAte test kit (purchased separately) you add drops from one
bottle, shake the test tube, then shake the second bottle for 30
seconds, add the drops to the test tube, shake the test tube for 1
minute. Then wait 5 minutes. One of the bottles also jams, I think
there's a ball in there that helps agitate the solution and sometimes it
blocks up the bottle. I can usually shake it loose and add the rest of
the drops.

Jungle Chloramine/Chlorine quick dip. A bit pricy, but couldn't find
another chloramine/chlorine test kit. Hopefully it is accurate. Going by
the reading, I can use half the amquel I've been using. I'm wondering if
the extra amquel was killing my ghost shrimp.

Mardel 5 in 1 test. 1 dip strip shows ph, nitrate, nitrite, total
hardness, total alkalinity. Match the color on the test strip to one of
6 colors per test on the bottle. Gives you a rough estimate. Easy to use.

I like seachem's ammonia alert (Lil' Alert Mates). Now all I need is a
nitrite alert, a nitrate alert, and a pH alert and I'll never need
another test kit... (They say they're working on a nitrIte alert btw)

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direct replies: yelohk AT yahoo