Digital Test kits

[Masafi]

Are there any digital test kits that read ammonia, NitrIte & NitrAte?

[Drumachine09]

Are there any digital test kits that read ammonia, NitrIte & NitrAte?


google it.

I know they have ones for ph, temperature, and specific gravity (salinity)

[Lady Hobbs]

Would be neat, I guess, but probably something that would end up being a waste of money. You test constantly during a cycle but once your tank is cycled properly and you are on a schedule of regular vacumming of the gravel and water changes, testing isn't really necessary anymore.

I have seen ammonia alarms to alert you if you have an ammonia spike but once again, probably seldom used after your cycle.

[Masafi]

Thanks for the inputs.

vacumming of the gravel; any suggestions as to which products a re good for this?

[wijnands]

Perhaps. I use a test stick every other water change or if I have reasons to suspect problems.

[Coler]

I check Ph once a day. It's a quick test and if I saw a big crash I would think of a nitrate problem immediately. I check ammonia & nitrite once a week before a water change. I check nitrates twice a week as my tank is cycled but relatively new and I like to try and get a feel for its rhythm.

[Coler]

lol just to be on topic. I don't think the digitals would be worth the expense...mind you colour blindness could be a serious problem in reading test kits.

[Vis]

If u got lots of da moola/bucks/macha :hmm3grin2orange: den google "probe" "ammonia" n u will find lots of digital test kits that usually hook up to a ph meter:thumb:

Dey r 2 expensiv 4 me

[cocoa_pleco]

ive seen some cheap ones go on ebay.


Not really worth it though.

[jeffs99dime]

yeah. you also have to calibrate them and re-calibrate them after a short while. the solution for calibration is very pricey as are the probes that you have to replace after a certain amount of uses. i can only really see a justifiable need if you're a breeder or have many saltwater/reef tanks.

[wijnands]

If u got lots of da moola/bucks/macha :hmm3grin2orange: den google "probe" "ammonia" n u will find lots of digital test kits that usually hook up to a ph meter:thumb:

Dey r 2 expensiv 4 me


So, what you're trying to say is that these things are expensive?

[Lady Hobbs]

All I've seen are the ammonia alerts which are little stickers you put on your tank that you can easily glance at to watch changes. I don't know if there are digital ones but if there is such a thing, I would think they would be costly. I no of nothing digital or nothing to alarm for nitrates.

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[Masafi]

WIll stick to the chemical way, its fun anyway testing! and I seam to be doing alot so as to detect the cycle....

What about Vacuums guys, any suggestions? I once had a battery one which was rubbish! But Im sure things have moved on in 8 years.

So suggestions links to online shops would be welcomed...

Thanks alot!

[jeffs99dime]

WIll stick to the chemical way, its fun anyway testing! and I seam to be doing alot so as to detect the cycle....

What about Vacuums guys, any suggestions? I once had a battery one which was rubbish! But Im sure things have moved on in 8 years.

So suggestions links to online shops would be welcomed...

Thanks alot!

look into the Python. one of the best investments i've made to date. here's a link. [Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[xoolooxunny]

I have a digital ph reader, its pretty easy to use, and it cost 60 bucks. not too bad, but the all in one testers that do hardness and co2 and o2 and temp and ph, ect are hundreds of dollars!

[Lady Hobbs]

Pythons are the only way to fly. They are awesome. Clean your gravel, empty your water right into the kitchen sink and fill it right back up again. Unbelievably fast to do a full tank maintenance with one of these babies.

It is no longer a big chore to do your tank maintenance with one of these, no pails to drag around, no water on the floor........awesome!

i added an "h" to "pythons" hobbs. lol

[wijnands]

A python....


hmmm...

Simply attach to your faucet to use water pressure to clean and fill aquariums

So, you're keeping the tap running to syphon dirty water out? Am I the only one who finds this a waste of good drinking water and therefore an expensive way to handle a simple task?

[xoolooxunny]

A python....


hmmm...

Simply attach to your faucet to use water pressure to clean and fill aquariums

So, you're keeping the tap running to syphon dirty water out? Am I the only one who finds this a waste of good drinking water and therefore an expensive way to handle a simple task?

Actually no, I think so too. That's why I use the outside tap to get a syphon going, then shut off the water, ans since its down a few steps, it drains pretty darn fast. Then I use the inside sink to fill with lukewarm water. I know this way kind of takes away from the quick use of one of these things, but then again I only spent a little over 10 bucks (USD) putting it together:thumb:

[cocoa_pleco]

I love my python. It has a 9:1 suction ratio

[Drumachine09]

I just got the new fosters and smith catalouge, and i found all of the digital stuff. It is as follows:

Calcium monitor-$250
Oxygen monitor-$250
Hardness monitor-$130
Salinity monitor-$140
pH monitor-$90
Nitrate monitor-$250
ORP monitor-$110 (no idea what orp is)
pH & Temp monitor-$120

This isnt including the adapters AND the calibration solution.


However, i found a cheap water proof thermometer at walmart that i am going to buy on friday or saturday when i get paid for mowing again.

[Masafi]

Thanks alot Guys, I'm in process of trying to find the python from a company that can ship to me...


I assume that this python doesnt destroy or remove all that good bacteria i am try to grow!

[frizzlefish]

The bacteria doesn't live IN the water, it lives ON things in your tank - the gravel, the plants, the decorations, etc. If you don't change out all the gravel and items, you won't lose the bacteria.

Water just moves the bacteria back and forth but it doesn't house it. Water changes just remove the nitrates and add back trace minerals.

Now, I think the python WILL suck up the gravel if you have it too close? But I don't have one as of yet so I may be incorrect on that point. All I know is if I've syphoned with a larger hose, the gravel goes along!

[Masafi]

Thanks, I just noticed in the advert that you see gravel 1/4 up the tube hence my questions.

If you vacuum the tank which cleans all the fish poo etc then i just thought you would also loose some of this microscopic bacteria...

I would hate to have to do the cycle again!

Cheers

[frizzlefish]

It does sound like a wonderful device to make the changes easier. I'm just wondering how long the tubing would be, as I have quite a heft to get to the nearest sink.

[jeffs99dime]

It does sound like a wonderful device to make the changes easier. I'm just wondering how long the tubing would be, as I have quite a heft to get to the nearest sink.

the python comes in 20, 25, and 50 foot lengths. you can purchase extension tubing as well for the python. just keep in mind, the longer the hose is, the longer the water has to travel through it, thus creating less vaccume

[Masafi]

i m just going to run the garden hose into the house and connect the gadget to that!

[Chrona]

i m just going to run the garden hose into the house and connect the gadget to that!

Don't use an outside garden hose. They are not all aquarium safe and may leech chemicals into the water.

[Masafi]

Advice taken!

Looks like i wont get one now, I got a quote and with shipping have been quoted $150!

Need to find another source

[Chrona]

Advice taken!

Looks like i wont get one now, I got a quote and with shipping have been quoted $150!

Need to find another source

lol, 150? Where are you located?

[Masafi]

Dubai! I'm sure i can get it cheaper if they would just use normal mail. IE a letter box...

will keep trying

[Chrona]

Dubai! I'm sure i can get it cheaper if they would just use normal mail. IE a letter box...

will keep trying

Ah, that explains it. Heh