Cheap pH tester alternatives?

[TGOATW]

To keep costs low, im trying to find other ways except online bought pH testers.
If not, i'd be happy if you guys could give me recommendations on certain products or tips.

 

[Colin_T]

Basic pH test kit contains Bromothymol Blue, a plastic or glass phial, and a pH indicator chart. Should set you back about $5-10.

 

[seangee]

Do you know what your pH is now? Once your tank settles it is unlikely to change over time as long as you do regular water changes - say 50% per week. I never test pH because it never changes.

 

[TGOATW]

Basic pH test kit contains Bromothymol Blue, a plastic or glass phial, and a pH indicator chart. Should set you back about $5-10.

is it possible to only buy the bromothymol blue? since i already have test tubes. And are pH indicator charts found online accurate?

 

[TGOATW]

Do you know what your pH is now? Once your tank settles it is unlikely to change over time as long as you do regular water changes - say 50% per week. I never test pH because it never changes.

have not measured once and that's what ive read, but im planning to start a new tank and i want to at least be able to monitor it

 

[Colin_T]

is it possible to only buy the bromothymol blue? since i already have test tubes. And are pH indicator charts found online accurate?

You should be able to but it might be hard to find on its own. Sometimes pet shops can order in a bottle for you. Chemists might be able to as well.

 

[GaryE]

is it possible to only buy the bromothymol blue? since i already have test tubes. And are pH indicator charts found online accurate?

It would probably cost more on its own. I used to work in a school and the lab tech would show me the supply catalogues. They overcharge incredibly.
I bought a cheap pH tester pen a few years ago, along with a tds meter. The pH device simply wouldn;t calibrate, though the tds tester has been a valuable tool. I expect if pH interests you (GH and KH are far more important) you're stuck with the reagent tests.

 

[TGOATW]

It would probably cost more on its own. I used to work in a school and the lab tech would show me the supply catalogues. They overcharge incredibly.
I bought a cheap pH tester pen a few years ago, along with a tds meter. The pH device simply wouldn;t calibrate, though the tds tester has been a valuable tool. I expect if pH interests you (GH and KH are far more important) you're stuck with the reagent tests.

how about GH and KH? do you have any recommended products? it'd be great if they were cheap

 

[GaryE]

You would have to buy whatever brand of reagent kits are available in local stores. They cost up front, but last a very long time. Again though, consider that product names may not mean much as you're talking with people in very far away places. I am preparing to walk over to the building where my fish are, and in the wind, it's -22c. I don't think that's the case for you in Malaysia! Product names will be different, but the basics are the same.

In my country, I can go online and find a detailed drinking water report for my area, so I don't need test kits. You may have the same.

 

[TGOATW]

You would have to buy whatever brand of reagent kits are available in local stores. They cost up front, but last a very long time. Again though, consider that product names may not mean much as you're talking with people in very far away places. I am preparing to walk over to the building where my fish are, and in the wind, it's -22c. I don't think that's the case for you in Malaysia! Product names will be different, but the basics are the same.

In my country, I can go online and find a detailed drinking water report for my area, so I don't need test kits. You may have the same.

dont think we have those kinds of reports, all i can find are from the US

 

[seangee]

What about a pack of test strips?
Sure they are not especially accurate but are good enough to tell you if your water is hard or soft, or acid or basic. You can cut them in half lengthways to make twice as many, but with your humidity you would have to store in a cool dry place.

Based on your other post about de-calcifying water I would guess you have hard water, and most likely basic (i.e. high pH).
You could also try asking a local fish store if they will test a sample for you. Here in the UK some will do it for free and some will charge. Obviously not a long term solution but at least you will know the starting point.

 

[seangee]

I used to work in a school and the lab tech would show me the supply catalogues

Just a long shot - but if you are at school the lab tech is an incredibly good person to make friends with