Digital water testers.

[tdc4266]

Hi

I have been looking at digital water testing devices and like everything else there are
many out there.
At the moment I am using the JBL water testing solutions. This seems OK but can be difficult to
determine the correct colour.
Are digital testers more accurate and are there any that test the full range of water ph, nitrate ect.

 

[mcordelia]

@Retired Viking uses a pH pen

 

[Retired Viking]

The water test pens I use are the TDS-3 that tells you the hardness in ppm and is very accurate and the ATC ph test pen that is fairly accurate.

 

[Essjay]

There are ammonia testers that sit inside the tank for example this one by Seachem which tests free ammonia rather than total ammonia (like liquid tests) https://www.seachem.com/ammonia-alert.php This does have a bit of a time lag though if ammonia suddenly shows up. They also make a similar pH tester.
But I don't know of any digital nitrite or nitrate testers.

The only other kind of digital tester I know of is a TDS tester. Total dissolved solids are everything dissolved in the water.

 

[StevenF]

there are two basic testers people use.

PH pen: They work well but need periodic calibration. Also the tip of the probe needs to stay wet when not in use. Normally when they are not in use the tip misplaced in a solution of potassium chloride. Even when stored correctly the sensor in the tip will eventually fail, respond slowly or will not stay calibrated. So good quality PH pens have replaceable sensors.

Total dissolved solids meter. Thes pass electrical current through the water to determine the conductivity of the water. The more conductive the water the greater the quantity stuff dissolve in it. Some people use them as an easy quick way to mere GH. Hoveve The General hardness (GH) test mainly measures calcium and magnesium. while TDS meters will measure everything in the water. So It is possible two aquarium to have the same GH but have very different TDS readings.

Beyond this there are color I meters. Thebasic aquarium tests use chemicals mixed with a sample of water and a color comparison chart. In color I meters the color comparison chart is replaced with and electric color sensor. The Cheepest ones on the marketer are Hanna instruments Checkers:

Hanna 717 is a phosphate checker that can m measure between 0ppm and 30pp of phosphate with resolution 0.1. Th Hanna 713 is similar but with a 0 to 2.5ppm (parts per million) range and a resolution of 0.01ppm. I have the 713 but i now think the 717 is a better choice for fresh water aquariums. They sell salt water versions of these with.

They also sell

HI 775 for measuring alkalinity or KH 0 to 500ppm range with resolution of 1ppm
HI 700 Ammonia o to 3ppm range with resolution 0.01ppm.

HI 746 Iron 0 to 999 ppm (parts per billion) with a resolution of 1ppb. Note this one requires the use high purity Distilled water. My RO DI system wasn't good enough.

Each cost $50. More expensive than typical test kits but far more accurate.

Unfortunately they never released a $50 Nitrate checker. I take that back they just released a nitrate checker but only for salt water aquariums. But still no fresh water nitrate checker.

They do sell higher priced units that will do nitrate or you can buy a desk top unit and bench top units that over a dozen different test but these are basically high cost lab units.

 

[mark4785]

I used to use the Horiba range of digital meters which were very accurate. I would suggest not trying to micro-manage parameters though; often people buying these digital meters are trying to micro manage nitrates or pH when there is really no need.

 

[EllRog]

The water test pens I use are the TDS-3 that tells you the hardness in ppm and is very accurate and the ATC ph test pen that is fairly accurate.

I purchased one of these on @Retired Viking recommendation and it's a fantastic little gadget