Reefkinetics Reefbot

[ESH]

Now that I've had a few weeks to run tests, I'm curious to hear others results with consistency of the readings to compare with what I'm seeing. Ive been testing API nitrate and red sea magnesium, each 1x per day. For the most part, my test results are relatively consistent. API is showing Yellow for 0 every time. The Redsea is usually pretty consistent with some variance. Initially, I saw that I was testing around 1280 on a regular basis, dosed magnesium, and after a few days got it up around 1400. Stayed there, then dropped down in the 1300's. I've had some tests higher and lower than others, but usually within 40 to 80ppm. I did just get a random test result of "40ppm" with the email notification that I was out of range. I checked the regents, and they all appeared to be about halfway full. I am currently re testing to see whats up. Theres no way its 40ppm...

Previously, I did get a notification that the test regent jars where empty. I checked them, looked fine, so I performed maintenance by listing them as full again. 2 tests later showed the same 1400 results. So Im not sure what caused the 40ppm test result. I expect this retest to be fine and in range.

Unless, maybe the syringe doesn't go all the way in the jar and not reaching the regents, or something is preventing it from doing so? I don't expect it to go all the way down or risk damaging the needle tip, but I would think it should be good for at least down to 1/4 or 1/8th, while also staying above the level?

Regarding test variances that I mentioned where I am getting 40-80ppm of result variances, I think this is occurring because I pull test samples from my sumps, pump return chamber. I have my RO top off go into this chamber, and its possible this could be going off during a test. I also have my Alkatronic pulling samples from this chamber. This tests every 3 hours and has the potential to overlap a test. Spot checking this, I do see that today I have a Alkatronic test result at 7:25 pm, and the Reefbot Mag test result came in at 7:52. The reefbot has a 52-53 min test time, I don't know what the test time is for the alkatronic but in this case, these definitely overlapped. The test solution from the alkatronic gets flushed back into the same chamber, and if I dose kH solution (in this mentioned test example, it did not dose), this also goes into this chamber. I bring this up as maybe others have a similar setup, and are seeing variances in there tests and trying to explain why you'd see such random changes. Thoughts? Maybe I'm reading into this too much?

 

[Dj City]

Now that I've had a few weeks to run tests, I'm curious to hear others results with consistency of the readings to compare with what I'm seeing. Ive been testing API nitrate and red sea magnesium, each 1x per day. For the most part, my test results are relatively consistent. API is showing Yellow for 0 every time. The Redsea is usually pretty consistent with some variance. Initially, I saw that I was testing around 1280 on a regular basis, dosed magnesium, and after a few days got it up around 1400. Stayed there, then dropped down in the 1300's. I've had some tests higher and lower than others, but usually within 40 to 80ppm. I did just get a random test result of "40ppm" with the email notification that I was out of range. I checked the regents, and they all appeared to be about halfway full. I am currently re testing to see whats up. Theres no way its 40ppm...

Previously, I did get a notification that the test regent jars where empty. I checked them, looked fine, so I performed maintenance by listing them as full again. 2 tests later showed the same 1400 results. So Im not sure what caused the 40ppm test result. I expect this retest to be fine and in range.

Unless, maybe the syringe doesn't go all the way in the jar and not reaching the regents, or something is preventing it from doing so? I don't expect it to go all the way down or risk damaging the needle tip, but I would think it should be good for at least down to 1/4 or 1/8th, while also staying above the level?

Regarding test variances that I mentioned where I am getting 40-80ppm of result variances, I think this is occurring because I pull test samples from my sumps, pump return chamber. I have my RO top off go into this chamber, and its possible this could be going off during a test. I also have my Alkatronic pulling samples from this chamber. This tests every 3 hours and has the potential to overlap a test. Spot checking this, I do see that today I have a Alkatronic test result at 7:25 pm, and the Reefbot Mag test result came in at 7:52. The reefbot has a 52-53 min test time, I don't know what the test time is for the alkatronic but in this case, these definitely overlapped. The test solution from the alkatronic gets flushed back into the same chamber, and if I dose kH solution (in this mentioned test example, it did not dose), this also goes into this chamber. I bring this up as maybe others have a similar setup, and are seeing variances in there tests and trying to explain why you'd see such random changes. Thoughts? Maybe I'm reading into this too much?

You may be reading into it too much.
The reagents should be at 50%or better to ensure the needle tip is able to draw enough reagent to perform the test. 1/4 or 1/8th is not enough.

 

[drernesto]

Now that I've had a few weeks to run tests, I'm curious to hear others results with consistency of the readings to compare with what I'm seeing. Ive been testing API nitrate and red sea magnesium, each 1x per day. For the most part, my test results are relatively consistent. API is showing Yellow for 0 every time. The Redsea is usually pretty consistent with some variance. Initially, I saw that I was testing around 1280 on a regular basis, dosed magnesium, and after a few days got it up around 1400. Stayed there, then dropped down in the 1300's. I've had some tests higher and lower than others, but usually within 40 to 80ppm. I did just get a random test result of "40ppm" with the email notification that I was out of range. I checked the regents, and they all appeared to be about halfway full. I am currently re testing to see whats up. Theres no way its 40ppm...

Previously, I did get a notification that the test regent jars where empty. I checked them, looked fine, so I performed maintenance by listing them as full again. 2 tests later showed the same 1400 results. So Im not sure what caused the 40ppm test result. I expect this retest to be fine and in range.

Unless, maybe the syringe doesn't go all the way in the jar and not reaching the regents, or something is preventing it from doing so? I don't expect it to go all the way down or risk damaging the needle tip, but I would think it should be good for at least down to 1/4 or 1/8th, while also staying above the level?

Regarding test variances that I mentioned where I am getting 40-80ppm of result variances, I think this is occurring because I pull test samples from my sumps, pump return chamber. I have my RO top off go into this chamber, and its possible this could be going off during a test. I also have my Alkatronic pulling samples from this chamber. This tests every 3 hours and has the potential to overlap a test. Spot checking this, I do see that today I have a Alkatronic test result at 7:25 pm, and the Reefbot Mag test result came in at 7:52. The reefbot has a 52-53 min test time, I don't know what the test time is for the alkatronic but in this case, these definitely overlapped. The test solution from the alkatronic gets flushed back into the same chamber, and if I dose kH solution (in this mentioned test example, it did not dose), this also goes into this chamber. I bring this up as maybe others have a similar setup, and are seeing variances in there tests and trying to explain why you'd see such random changes. Thoughts? Maybe I'm reading into this too much?

Fill the reagents and start a test. If you faced any issue please email us on [email protected]

 

[Acro maniac]

Not why but, I always have all the problems tring to hook up anything with tech.
Currently I can not get the bot to connect to wifi. I dont maybe because i loaded the app before i did the initial program. I just wanted to see how the app was before I made the purchase.
Anyway I got notifications for everything I tried , username and password didnt match than they were already in use.portal server security error. Something went wrong try again. I have sent an email to connect with someone so will see.
Hope I can get this resolved.
On another note I was charged an unexpected international charge on credit card when I purchased reefbot. Just something to consider

 

[MyReefRobbedMe]

I’d like to know if Anybody else is testing phosphates Giesemann and getting good readings or a reading .Mine has read 0 every test I have both Regents Filled up full . Calibrated Both chambers and The test kits are good .

 

[Acro maniac]

I’d like to know if Anybody else is testing phosphates Giesemann and getting good readings or a reading .Mine has read 0 every test I have both Regents Filled up full . Calibrated Both chambers and The test kits are good .

I am prepared to run giesemann po4 test as soon as Im up and running. I have 3 kits ready to load. Most recent hanna test gave a result of 0.23.

Just a thought Ill have to look at the reading value to see if its the same. Giesemann in is mg/l if its not the same that could be the reason. Different range

 

[ESH]

Fill the reagents and start a test. If you faced any issue please email us on [email protected]

The retest was fine. I think something else getting dosed at the time of the low test got pulled during the test causing the miss reading.

Have you considered adding a feature that automatically retests when a test falls out of an acceptable range to verify the readings?

 

[Kevin Duprey]

The retest was fine. I think something else getting dosed at the time of the low test got pulled during the test causing the miss reading.

Have you considered adding a feature that automatically retests when a test falls out of an acceptable range to verify the readings?

I'm not sure I'd want that feature, unless it can be turned on or off by the user. If I get an out of range reading while at home, I'd like to investigate first before potentially wasting reagent because something other than the Reefbot was causing the error (like my lightning maroon clown had decided that the sample tube was his enemy and had finally succeeded in pushing it out of the tank - he's moved corals he didn't like the placement of with much determination). Even if I'm away from the tank, I'm not sure I'd want a retest automated.

 

[ESH]

I'm not sure I'd want that feature, unless it can be turned on or off by the user. If I get an out of range reading while at home, I'd like to investigate first before potentially wasting reagent because something other than the Reefbot was causing the error (like my lightning maroon clown had decided that the sample tube was his enemy and had finally succeeded in pushing it out of the tank - he's moved corals he didn't like the placement of with much determination). Even if I'm away from the tank, I'm not sure I'd want a retest automated.

I hear you on the clowns doing their redecorating! Mine do the same.

Having the ability to manually select turning an auto retest test on or off when out of range could be helpful. As it stands now, I like how I received the email that said it was out of range, giving me the ability to go into the app and retest if I was out of town or if at home, like yesterday, I go and check on the Bot befor retesting.

My goal with having this bot is to automate as much as possible, with my primary input performing bot maintenance, recalibration, checking fluid levels etc. it is already saving me time, so it’s nice to sit back and enjoy the tank more!

 

[Kevin Duprey]

I hear you on the clowns doing their redecorating! Mine do the same.

Yeah, if it wasn't so dang cute, it'd be gone by now. Mine bites me any time my hand goes in the tank... Nice reminder to keep my hands out, but when my hands are in there to replace something where it and I had differing opinions on decorating, that's doubly annoying.

 

[Rick Strauss]

Has anybody tried the Tropic Marin NO3 pro yet. I was hoping this test would read down lower as I keep my tank at 3 ppm.

 

[KingJason]

Has anybody tried the Tropic Marin NO3 pro yet. I was hoping this test would read down lower as I keep my tank at 3 ppm.

I think this is new! I'm going to buy one now! My API is always 0 and I know I must have something between 0-5.

 

[puffy127]

I’d like to know if Anybody else is testing phosphates Giesemann and getting good readings or a reading .Mine has read 0 every test I have both Regents Filled up full . Calibrated Both chambers and The test kits are good .

My Giesemann phosphates keep reading 0 ppm even though the reagent vial is full and Hanna ULR is giving me 0.1 ppm.

I'm starting to get a little frustrated. Not sure it's reefbot or just all the different test kits.

My RedSea alk has gone haywire. Before it was consistently 0.3 dkh lower than Salifert and Hanna (manual). Then it gave me a 5.3 dkh reading. Thought it was low reagent so I refilled the reagent. Still was getting low numbers so I went to recalibrate. The calibration was off and I needed to redo the calibration like 3 times. Now the Redsea alk is giving me 1.0 dkh higher than salifert. Salifert is giving me up to 0.5 dkh higher than Hanna manual. What caused it to lose calibration out of the blue?

My Redsea mag is giving me crazy numbers too. It's now reporting 1560 ppm vs salifert (manual) 1320 ppm.

As mentioned above, Giesemann phosphate only reports 0 ppm for me. I gave up on that. Waste of >$50 reagent there.

API Nitrate reports only 0 ppm for me (salifert 1-2.5 ppm manual), so I don't really bother with that anymore either.

The only consistent reading for me now is API Ca, which exactly matches my salifert Ca manual testing.

 

[Kevin Duprey]

My Giesemann phosphates keep reading 0 ppm even though the reagent vial is full and Hanna ULR is giving me 0.1 ppm.

I'm starting to get a little frustrated. Not sure it's reefbot or just all the different test kits.

My RedSea alk has gone haywire. Before it was consistently 0.3 dkh lower than Salifert and Hanna (manual). Then it gave me a 5.3 dkh reading. Thought it was low reagent so I refilled the reagent. Still was getting low numbers so I went to recalibrate. The calibration was off and I needed to redo the calibration like 3 times. Now the Redsea alk is giving me 1.0 dkh higher than salifert. Salifert is giving me up to 0.5 dkh higher than Hanna manual. What caused it to lose calibration out of the blue?

My Redsea mag is giving me crazy numbers too. It's now reporting 1560 ppm vs salifert (manual) 1320 ppm.

As mentioned above, Giesemann phosphate only reports 0 ppm for me. I gave up on that. Waste of >$50 reagent there.

API Nitrate reports only 0 ppm for me (salifert 1-2.5 ppm manual), so I don't really bother with that anymore either.

The only consistent reading for me now is API Ca, which exactly matches my salifert Ca manual testing.

OK, now I'm concerned... My initial problems were with Red Sea alk, and it was reporting (wait for it...) 5.3. Once RK support fixed things behind the curtains, it went to what I told them my manual testing with Red Sea and Hanna was (6.7). Since then I've tested Red Sea Ca and Red Sea Mg. My Mg test came back with (drum roll...) 1560. Now I'm wondering if they are making global changes to code, rather than tweaking individual units. Maybe it's all just coincidence. Either way, I'd advise against doing multiple calibrations. I was told by RK support to stop doing calibrations, and let them make the adjustments. It might be time you reach out to them as well. I've been having a dialog with their support trying to understand what they are tweaking, and how calibration fits into the picture. I'll share my findings.

BTW, the 1560 Mg reading, while high, and wrong (my shrimp and snails are still alive), didn't concern me as much. I know my Mg is high, and as long as this test tracks with a known reading every once in a while, I'm fine. I'm also not too concerned with Nitrate and Phosphate. I keep a well stocked, well fed mixed reef, and don't strive for low / undetectable nutrients. My API NO3 test on Reefbot gave me a reading of 10, which is about where mine runs. I'm more concerned with 0 than I am with high numbers. My reef thrives on detectable nutrients.

 

[rushbattle]

I think this is new! I'm going to buy one now! My API is always 0 and I know I must have something between 0-5.

I have resigned to trying to maintain 5ppm so that the API kit can read it. Better than bottomed out NO3! I think the TM only adds in 2ppm, which I guess would be an alright number also.

 

[rushbattle]

My Giesemann phosphates keep reading 0 ppm even though the reagent vial is full and Hanna ULR is giving me 0.1 ppm.

I'm starting to get a little frustrated. Not sure it's reefbot or just all the different test kits.

My RedSea alk has gone haywire. Before it was consistently 0.3 dkh lower than Salifert and Hanna (manual). Then it gave me a 5.3 dkh reading. Thought it was low reagent so I refilled the reagent. Still was getting low numbers so I went to recalibrate. The calibration was off and I needed to redo the calibration like 3 times. Now the Redsea alk is giving me 1.0 dkh higher than salifert. Salifert is giving me up to 0.5 dkh higher than Hanna manual. What caused it to lose calibration out of the blue?

My Redsea mag is giving me crazy numbers too. It's now reporting 1560 ppm vs salifert (manual) 1320 ppm.

As mentioned above, Giesemann phosphate only reports 0 ppm for me. I gave up on that. Waste of >$50 reagent there.

API Nitrate reports only 0 ppm for me (salifert 1-2.5 ppm manual), so I don't really bother with that anymore either.

The only consistent reading for me now is API Ca, which exactly matches my salifert Ca manual testing.

This is perplexing. I just bought 3 giesemann PO4 kits so I could try to see what PO4 was doing. Same with going from API Alk to Red Sea. What a bummer.

 

[KingJason]

I have resigned to trying to maintain 5ppm so that the API kit can read it. Better than bottomed out NO3! I think the TM only adds in 2ppm, which I guess would be an alright number also.

I'm in the same boat, but I can't get my PO3 up so it register 5 so I'd be happy with 2ppm.

 

[Rick Strauss]

My readings are reasonably steady just wrong. Is there a way to add a compensation factor to make them correct? My red sea alk is the worst one

 

[Kevin Duprey]

My readings are reasonably steady just wrong. Is there a way to add a compensation factor to make them correct? My red sea alk is the worst one

Contact RK support. This is what they did for me.
[email protected]

 

[Acro maniac]

Tech team is pretty quick and i have completed all the cals.
Currently running a po4 test.
Heres my setup for know