Mardel Live Products Inaccurate

[slinky]

I've found that Mardel LivepH and LiveNH products that I bought which are supposed to constantly monitor the water for pH and ammonia levels are terribly inaccurate. I'm so mad at myself for buying the three month supply and thinking these things would actually work. The ammonia level always says "safe" (my test kit says very much otherwise) and the pH seems to swerve all over the place and sometimes just stay where it is, the water levels be damned. Anyone else try Mardel products and get different results? It's my API kits which are telling me the actual levels that I am relying on.

[Lady Hobbs]

Generally the pH stays about the same all the time in a tank anyway. You get from your tap and substract what you get. It may change slightly with co2 or bogwood but a tank with only fish and plastic plants should not change hardly ever.

The tester may have a safe zone for ammonia levels, as well. Perhaps it considers anything under .25 still in a safe range?

Are you still cycling your tank or is it an established tank? I would not consider buying one of those unless I was cycling.

[zookeeper]

If you use "Amquell" additive in your water, it hoses up the Mardel ammonia test. This I learned the hard way.

[zackish]

Either way I think API test kits are the way to go, or any liquid tester of that sort.

[slinky]

If you use "Amquell" additive in your water, it hoses up the Mardel ammonia test. This I learned the hard way.

Not sure what this is. I've used ammo lock 2.

Got home today. Tank is cloudy as if a fog set in that would make Stephen King proud. Took an ammonia reading and it looked like it was turquoise (probably a 4.) Immediately dumped in the ammo lock and performed a 35% water change and will do another one in 45 minutes. The Mardel Live POS didn't register a damn thing. Still says the water is safe with a 0.0% ammonia level.

From my experience this Mardel Live NH3 kit is terrible. It will kill your fish if you rely upon it to any extent. The pH kit is not telling me pH is around 6.4 every day. It's definitely closer to 7 than anything else. It's the most worthless investment I've ever made. I'm wondering if anyone has seen different.

[zookeeper]

Yep, I bet the "ammo lock" messed up the Mardel tester. I think any water treatment to "detoxify ammonia" will cause the Mardel ammonia test to go wonky.