LFS’s magic all-in-one testing machine?

[Miami Reef]

that may be true but salifert is know to not be good and then there is human error. Since you did not answer my question, I’ll ask again. How do YOU know if YOUR numbers are accurate or not. So blaming a machine for being off when you in fact have no clue if your results are accurate is simply placing blame, because you don’t agree with their numbers.

I guess I’ll never know unless I do an ICP test. I plan to get one in 5-6 months from now to check my trace elements, so I’ll make sure I fully test my water with my kits, then give the same water sample to LFS, and then give the remaining sample to ICP. I need to collect my water for the 3 tests at the same exact time for this to be accurate.

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

So how much is one of these? Lol
D

 

[LRT]

So how much is one of these? Lol
D

Found this on quick search.
$1200+ shipping.

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Ya nope. Lol
Ty! Lol
D

 

[SamBackspins]

I used to work at an LFS with this, and it was our method of testing peoples water, so I can probably answer some things about it.

it’s the api aqua spin, it seems really consistent and pretty accurate IF YOU DO THE TEST RIGHT. They can be sensitive to the amount of liquid and if you pump air into the testing disk. They have calibration disks as well.

they are not worth it at all for home use, my LFS actually lost a lot of money in tests because the disks are so expensive. Our cost was around $3.5 per test, which made people mad that we charged a 5 dollar fee for a water test.

I’ve run a couple hundred of these tests and only maybe 5-10 had any significant error I knew of.

 

[Tony Thompson]

Lots of these purchased by LFS,. I mentioned on a professional group that the Manufacturers own specifications for this device state,

PO4 minimum Detection 0.2ppm, below this would conceivably read 0ppm
NO3 Minimum Detection 5ppm, below this would conceivably read 0ppm

Personally I would make the conclusion that due to the stated detection limit for these two parameters, this device is not suitable for use in my Reef Store. The majority of my customers run relative low nutrient systems. therefore the reading on this device according to the spec would read 0PPM PO4 for anything below 0.2 (within the published error deviation) , similarly with NO3.

The device coast over £1000, plus the costs of test disks.

I have no problem with the deviation on Mag, Cal or Alk as long as its precision is relatively consistent.

I have no plans to change from my collection of Hanna colorimeters or my Salifert test kits for mag and Cal.

What did those LFS owners I shared this data with decide? They all went out and purchased them. Some stating this would revolutionise the hobby :confused:

My advice to hobbyists especially those new to the hobby, learn to do your own testing, keep precise and consistent with your testing method.

The parameters I tend to monitor closely are Temp, Salinity and Alkalinity. A temp probe, Refractometer and a Alkalinity test. I suggest these 3 parameters are the ones most important to keep within range. Phosphate and Nitrate in my opinion are more to do with ratios rather than target numbers.