Reef Factory smart tester - other auto testers?

[pomoev]

Well, it's Feb 19 and the reagents are still out of stock everywhere. They've been out of stock everywhere online since November. I'm back to Hanna testing.

This is what I heard from one of the distributors:
"They had an issue with the packaging and 75% of the ones we would ship arrived leaking, so they are supposed to be updating the product so it can handle shipping better."

Things are bad.

 

[kriskool123]

Make sense, if you look at the BRS picture for the po4 cartridges now then come in a bottle and syringe

 

[nickng]

This is what I heard from one of the distributors:
"They had an issue with the packaging and 75% of the ones we would ship arrived leaking, so they are supposed to be updating the product so it can handle shipping better."

Things are bad.

I can confirm that. I bought 3 sets of Phosphate testing reagents and 2 bottles were leaking. It's always the 1st set of reagent ie reagent A or 1 that goes into the 1st smart tester slot that is leaking. It's mostly becuse the reagent is corrosive and eats thru the rubber/silicone stoppers on the packages. Anyway I just startedrunning the phosphate test and so far it gets within 0.01 of my hanna tester. Will report the results when I complete at least 1-2 months test

 

[kriskool123]

I can confirm that. I bought 3 sets of Phosphate testing reagents and 2 bottles were leaking. It's always the 1st set of reagent ie reagent A or 1 that goes into the 1st smart tester slot that is leaking. It's mostly becuse the reagent is corrosive and eats thru the rubber/silicone stoppers on the packages. Anyway I just startedrunning the phosphate test and so far it gets within 0.01 of my hanna tester. Will report the results when I complete at least 1-2 months test

keep that Cuvette clean because once it gets stained nothing will get it cleaned 100%. I am in the process of getting 2 replacement cuvettes from reef factory directly.. quote is around $50 including shipping from europe which is not bad

 

[nickng]

My cuvette on the smart tester is so stained that even a 5 day soak in citric acid mixed with vinegar doesn’t clean it up. I tried soaking in bleach a week prior with no luck.
These reef factory smart testers are great for the first 4-5 months but good luck after that. BRS is the only US distributor and doesn’t carry and spare parts for them.

If you own one make sure to maintain the cuvette and clean it off like once a month

keep that Cuvette clean because once it gets stained nothing will get it cleaned 100%. I am in the process of getting 2 replacement cuvettes from reef factory directly.. quote is around $50 including shipping from europe which is not bad

I read somewhere that by heating up the cuvette it's possible to "burn" or "gas" off the stains. May try that when I have a badly stained cuvette. The other option is to try making a replacement out of acrylic

 

[nickng]

ok i got the new phosphate reagents from BRS. They changed the packaging to be leakproof

 

[kriskool123]

ok i got the new phosphate reagents from BRS. They changed the packaging to be leakproof

Yea I just got 2. Way better now . I ordered 2 smart tester cuvettes from reef factory direct in Poland. It came out to $50 including the shipping .

 

[kriskool123]

I read somewhere that by heating up the cuvette it's possible to "burn" or "gas" off the stains. May try that when I have a badly stained cuvette. The other option is to try making a replacement out of acrylic

It seems like citric acid mixed with vinegar worked after letting it sit in the mixture for 5 days

 

[shadyraro]

I have a few pieces of RF equipment and IMO it is great, my readings are very accurate and the app has come a long way and is much more user friendly now.
As long as you keep the gear calibrated regularly you shouldn't have any issues, I get nearly 3 months out of a set of PO4 reagents testing twice daily which is pretty good.
The cuvettes do stain but after 1 year use of the smart tester it hasn't affected my readings, but i do have a couple spare cuvettes to swap out if need be rather than trying to clean them.

 

[nickng]

I’m hoping RF releases the nitrate reagents and that the measurements are accurate

 

[shadyraro]

I’m hoping RF releases the nitrate reagents and that the measurements are accurate

June this year apparently NO3 will be available, and when it does I’ll be getting a second tester :)

 

[BZOFIQ]

keep that Cuvette clean because once it gets stained nothing will get it cleaned 100%. I am in the process of getting 2 replacement cuvettes from reef factory directly.. quote is around $50 including shipping from europe which is not bad

Did you try muratic acid?