Documentation purposes only; this is not meant to determine which test performs better than the other. This is an overview of the test kit, its contents, ease of use, and final reports. I wanted to do each test simultaneously and share for others who may have never used these before.
The Fauna Marine ICP Lab test was purchased directly from their website. I chose ICP Set M version which contains two separate tests for 39.99, or ~$20.00 per test, and it ships to your home for free. It arrived in 5 days.
I purchased the single ATI test kit from Amazon for $44.95 and it arrived in 2 days with free shipping because of our Prime membership.
The Fauna Marine ICP analysis M kit comes with two complete tests, each consisting of two sample vials, two bar code labels, a return envelope, data registration card, and instructions.
One item that was momentarily confusing was the barcode labels for the sample vials. Instead of printing each set with the same test number, the test numbers were split between the two label cards. This product contains two separate tests; if you weren't paying attention you may have labeled each sample vial with two different numbers.
Rinse and fill the two vials, attach the barcode labels, pop them in the envelope with your filled-out data registration form, put a stamp on it and done. The test is sent to Ft. Meyers, FL, initially and then they send it to Germany for testing. I did expect it to have return postage, which it did not. The instruction suggests adding tracking to the package, which I absolutely want to have, so now this does add a trip to the post office and the cost of postage to use this kit. Results are returned via an email link; there is not a website to register the test prior to sending.
The ATI test comes with three sample test tubes for seawater and a fourth to test your RO/DI water. The separate RO/DI test is a nice feature that the other kit does not offer. It has a prepaid USPS shipping label with a tracking number, a return envelope, and clear instructions.
ATI does utilize a website to register your test prior to shipping. The website is used for you to track the status and ultimately receive the results. I have completed one ATI test in the past, so that information still shows in my account and is accessible. You can see the RO/DI test results posted separately from the seawater test.
Each sample vial is pre-printed with the same unique code, which is then entered into the website to register the test.
Rinse and fill the three seawater vials with your tank water, do the same with RO/DI water for the RO/DI sample vial, dry them off and stick them in the envelope. Affix the pre-paid postage to the envelope and it's ready to go to California where it will then be sent to Germany for testing. Don't forget to record your tracking number so you can see when it arrives.
I'll drop them off in the mail tomorrow (April 15) and update the thread on how long it takes to receive results back and then we'll look at them side by side.
The Fauna Marine ICP Lab test was purchased directly from their website. I chose ICP Set M version which contains two separate tests for 39.99, or ~$20.00 per test, and it ships to your home for free. It arrived in 5 days.
I purchased the single ATI test kit from Amazon for $44.95 and it arrived in 2 days with free shipping because of our Prime membership.
The Fauna Marine ICP analysis M kit comes with two complete tests, each consisting of two sample vials, two bar code labels, a return envelope, data registration card, and instructions.
One item that was momentarily confusing was the barcode labels for the sample vials. Instead of printing each set with the same test number, the test numbers were split between the two label cards. This product contains two separate tests; if you weren't paying attention you may have labeled each sample vial with two different numbers.
Rinse and fill the two vials, attach the barcode labels, pop them in the envelope with your filled-out data registration form, put a stamp on it and done. The test is sent to Ft. Meyers, FL, initially and then they send it to Germany for testing. I did expect it to have return postage, which it did not. The instruction suggests adding tracking to the package, which I absolutely want to have, so now this does add a trip to the post office and the cost of postage to use this kit. Results are returned via an email link; there is not a website to register the test prior to sending.
The ATI test comes with three sample test tubes for seawater and a fourth to test your RO/DI water. The separate RO/DI test is a nice feature that the other kit does not offer. It has a prepaid USPS shipping label with a tracking number, a return envelope, and clear instructions.
ATI does utilize a website to register your test prior to shipping. The website is used for you to track the status and ultimately receive the results. I have completed one ATI test in the past, so that information still shows in my account and is accessible. You can see the RO/DI test results posted separately from the seawater test.
Each sample vial is pre-printed with the same unique code, which is then entered into the website to register the test.
Rinse and fill the three seawater vials with your tank water, do the same with RO/DI water for the RO/DI sample vial, dry them off and stick them in the envelope. Affix the pre-paid postage to the envelope and it's ready to go to California where it will then be sent to Germany for testing. Don't forget to record your tracking number so you can see when it arrives.
I'll drop them off in the mail tomorrow (April 15) and update the thread on how long it takes to receive results back and then we'll look at them side by side.
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