reef Posted November 8, 2004 Report Share Posted November 8, 2004 Finally got the new Deltec phosphate test kit which is a rebadged Merck test kits, Lab grade. Will read as low as .008 Very impressed as it is very easy to read between the colours. I compared it with the quality Salifert phosphate kit and got about the same answer. Whilst I rate Salifert as one of the best phosphate kits on the NZ market, the Deltec is better to read, however there is a big cost difference. Salifert cost about $30 and the Deltec cost about $100. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimera Posted November 8, 2004 Report Share Posted November 8, 2004 do you get a free set of ginsu knives with that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetskisteve Posted November 8, 2004 Report Share Posted November 8, 2004 So for $70 you get an easier to read kit???????????? Wow 3 of those & you can get a colorometer thingy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reef Posted November 8, 2004 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2004 and you can add. mind blowing stuff. The colour meter wont go down to .008, The test kit is also cheaper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan_from_nz Posted November 8, 2004 Report Share Posted November 8, 2004 does the number of tests each one does vary? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reef Posted November 8, 2004 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2004 The Deltec will do a 100 tests. i think the color meter does about 100. It uses hannah test solution which is about $40, so the Deltec works out much cheaper as you dont have to spend over $300 just to get the meter. You can get refills for the Deltec test. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan_from_nz Posted November 8, 2004 Report Share Posted November 8, 2004 100 tests @ $100 is the same as the jbl phosphate test kit i have (30 tests @ $30ish) the only disadvantage with the deltec is that it is 3x the initial cost, it has the advantage that it is (or probably is) more accurate and you don't have to purchase the test kit as often. the $100 did that take into account aquanets margin and a retailers margin? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reef Posted November 8, 2004 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2004 Can’t compare the Deltec with JBL test kits as they are not the same quality. The Deltec is far more accurate. They are pricey however as you said they work out about the same per test. The test kits are not available in NZ. I had to order mine from the UK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RnB Posted November 8, 2004 Report Share Posted November 8, 2004 Colorimeter Accuracy: ±0.04 mg/L ±4% of reading Resolution: 0.01 mg/L what was the technical spec of the test kit again???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reef Posted November 9, 2004 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2004 The Merke/Deltec test kit will go down to .008mg/l . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RnB Posted November 9, 2004 Report Share Posted November 9, 2004 bring it along to a reef club meeting. I have gone colorimeter because i do not like trying to interperit how blue a sample is, I would rather let the laser diode do it. I have always been impressed with the limits of these hobby test kits, just not impressed with the requirement of the user to interperit the colours reliably. and at the end of the day, i want reliable, repeatable scientic test results. your tank looks good and you may be able to accurately interperate the results better then me. I like scientific toys too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pies Posted November 9, 2004 Report Share Posted November 9, 2004 RnB - Sorry man but what a load of 'cods wobble' The only thing you need to know about phosphates is you shouldn't have any. Knowing exactly how much you have is pretty irelivent. Why? Because your only course of action is to reduce them. Knowing you have .2 vs .1 vs 2.3245 is kind of pointless, if you detect them, do something about reducing them. The salifert test kit is so hard to read, but again the same maths as above applies. Who cares if you have .15 or .18 ? The bottom line is you want 0.00. The salifert test kit should read 'a blue tinge means you need to reduce phosphates, clear water means you don't'. Save the $100+ test kit and throw the money towards some phosphate removing technology salifert/rowa/zeovit/phosban or whatever you think works. Its kind of like knowing if your house is on fire. Knowing its on fire a lot or just a little doesn't really help end of pie rant Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reef Posted November 9, 2004 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2004 just was going to say the same thing. The fact that you get a slight blue colour on the salifert test kit it means you have a problem, it does not matter that it is .03, .1 etc. any colour means you have too much phostphates. I think the salifert test kits are more than enough for aquarium purpose, Even if you cant get a exact color match. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reef Posted November 9, 2004 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2004 Still waiting on what the reading of phostphates was at takapuna beach using r&bs color meter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan_from_nz Posted November 10, 2004 Report Share Posted November 10, 2004 has any one read randy holmes-farley's article on phosphate binders, it is quite interesting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimera Posted November 10, 2004 Report Share Posted November 10, 2004 post a link to the article. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lduncan Posted November 10, 2004 Report Share Posted November 10, 2004 Chimera, it's in this months reefkeeping mag. Always worth reading. http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-11/rhf/index.htm Layton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RnB Posted November 10, 2004 Report Share Posted November 10, 2004 Have been in WGTN, but just back. I am collecting water this weekend and will post phosphate results on here as soon as I am about to dump it into my tank..... Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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