Aquariumwatertesting.com

[Anonymous]

Titrimetric/eyeball kits are very very subjective. You're lucky to be accurate with in the same order of magnitude some times. I don't see the difference between your home values and the AWT values as major. My guess is that they are using visible spectrophotometry for the nitrogen, phosphorous and alkalinity tests. Much more accurate than a home kit. For metals, I'm guess they're using atomic absorption spectroscopy, a great tool, but very sensitive to matrix effects.

The bottom line: If they are a good lab, they are baselining their values/instruments with NBS and/or matrix (seawater)-matched standards. The values should be pretty good. The nutrient values they're giving you are probably more accurate than the metal numbers.

 

[Anonymous]

This:

Why don't you test for PH?
pH is the only parameter of significant interest that is not included in our panel because it is subject to change between your house and our lab.

...makes me cringe a little, because it's not the only one, so that's a poor rationale...

 

[Anonymous]

There is much talk and communication with the company on other forums. Boomer seems satisfied.

Either way, for me, a partially colorblind freak, having them to the tests for me is so much better.

I see the Ca results as pretty major, so I purchased a reference kit, and will do the comparison at least 4 more times.

 

[Anonymous]

I see the Ca results as pretty major, so I purchased a reference kit, and will do the comparison at least 4 more times.

Ca's also one of the hardest to measure. For many instruments, at the Ca concentration of seawater, the calibration curve in that concentration region is very nonlinear. If they are accounting for this by not running it full strength, then you're trusting them to make an accurate dilution (which isn't necessarily difficult) and then tell you the numbers.

 

[Anonymous]

two words for all of the 'color perception challenged'

digital colorimeter




that and some hach reagents will give you just as, if not more, accurate results, and over a long period of time is fairly cheaper than sending off a sample, in spite of the cost of a colorimeter

 

[Anonymous]

two words for all of the 'color perception challenged'

digital colorimeter




that and some hach reagents will give you just as, if not more, accurate results, and over a long period of time is fairly cheaper than sending off a sample, in spite of the cost of a colorimeter

Just under 1000 bucks initial cost just for the unit (DR 870) and 600 for not all the test AWT does. And you still have to actually do the tests correctly yourself (lab equipment is only as good as procedure), replace reagents, and handle and dispose of hazardous chemicals.

 

[Rob Top]

And you still have to actually do the tests correctly yourself.

This is the factor that has me seriously looking at AWT. I have a local that works at a lab offering to test our clubs water for $20 a pop, 36 things (waiting to know what 36 things they are testing) But this seems like a 1 time deal.

I am also going to contact AWT and see if they do group buys. If I get 10 members of my club to buy the 4 pack will they do a discount sort of thing.

Bottom line, home testing is not 100%, better chance that the lab will be closer to correct. AND all I need to do is drop a bottle in the mail. Not spend a bunch of time doing the tests here. Maybe I will clean my skimmer more often if I am not jhaving to run a bunch of tests

 

[eric.m.s]

thales, the elos magnesium test is very tricky. i find if i am not very careful i can perform the same test back to back and get two different results. the cal test can be the same way. be sure to wait 30 seconds...sometimes i think im done and it throws me for a loop.

i'm going to have to give AWT a try sometime and compare myself.

 

[Anonymous]

Hey, thanks for the link to this company! I just got my results.

My Molybedenum is high, and it says my salt could be doing that? Does nothing consume Mo?

And my K+ is low. AWT recommends a water change and a supplement. What could I use for a supplement for K?