It was a dark and stormy night when the testing began
Written: Apr 28 '05 (Updated Jul 07 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: The best option for beginning SW aquarists. Easy to use.
Cons: Nitrate test is not the best available.
The Bottom Line: A great combo test kit for the beginner and one of the cheapest available in the long run. ESSENTIAL to starting a SW tank.
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| colstudent69's Full Review: Aquarium Pharmaceuticals FasTesT Ammonia, Nitrite,... |
Thunder crashed and the windows vibrated from the fury of the force, lightning dissected the troubled sky with frightening speed. Cobwebs covered the corners lit by the stark light of the passing storm. The mad scientist turned on his electric generator to continue his diabolic tests....MUHHHAHAHAHHAHAHA!!
Oh wait, that is just me testing my aquarium water again and not cleaning the cobwebs out of the corner as I should, because I spend too much time on my SW fish tank :)
What it includes:
I reach for my trusty Aquarium Pharmaceuticals FasTesT Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate and pH Test Kit, also called the FasTesT Multi-Master Test Kit. This test kit set includes Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate and pH test kits. You get 20 tests for each kit.
Why FasTest over Salifert Nitrogen Cycle test kit?
This is the ultimate test kit for beginners just starting the hobby. Why do I say that when I frequently say that Salifert test kits are the better option? In my opinion Salifert is much more accurate for the advanced test kits such as Calcium or Alkalinity, but for basic tests, especially for beginners to the hobby, this test kit is the way to go. Why you say? Well, being the good mad scientist that I am, I will tell you:
1. It is a cheaper initial investment and cheaper per test in the long run. Despite everyone's enthusiasm for the hobby, the SW hobby has a high dropout rate because many people find it too time consuming, expensive or complicated. If you do exit the hobby you'll be happy you spent less money on anything.
This testkit, at the time of this review, retails for $26.95 online and the Salifert nitrogen cycle retails for $52.99. Wow, what a bargain right? Why would anyone buy Salifert? Well, each Salifert test does 50 instead of the 20 in FasTest. Lets do a little math my apprentice mad scientists! MUHAHAHAA..ok.
Assuming each test kit is equally priced in the kit, you are paying $6.74 per kit in FasTest. $13.25 for Salifert. However, per test that is $6.74/20 = 0.337 per test for FasTest and 0.265 per test for Salifert. WAIT YOU SAY!! YOU ARE LYING TO US YOU MAD SCIENTIST!!!! Salifert is cheaper!!! *A large crowd gathers with torches and pitchforks*
Patience my little ones, this is where the refill kits for FasTest really help your budget. Refills for the FasTest kits would cost you $17.80 online for another 20 tests of each kit. An average of 0.225 per test. As you can see, in the long run the FasTest kits will be cheaper. The cheaper costs of the refills and the smaller packaging will reduce the shipping costs if you buy them online. You'll also RARELY if ever, need to buy the nitrite test kit refills, so it is even cheaper than this calculation.
2. The FasTest kits are easier to use. The Salifert kits typically involve several steps and multiple chemicals. It is enough to drive any beginning mad scientist....well.....mad. It is not to say that the Salifert kits are difficult, just that the FasTest are easier.
3. The FasTest kits handle storage better. The sealed foil packets handle storage in the garage or near the fish tank better and I've found they even last beyond their printed expiration dates. WARNING: This is not recommended for most test kits and when using expired test kits, you should always double check occasionally with a new test kit or a trip to a trusted local fish store to verify accurate readings.
4. The Nitrite test in both kits is hardly ever needed, so why pay more for something you'll barely use?
5. The FasTest pH test is, in my opinion, more accurate and easier to read.
What does each test do?
In the interest of keeping this review shorter than a book, I'll point you to my review of each test:
Aquarium Pharmaceuticals FasTesT pH Test Kit
Aquarium Pharmaceuticals FasTesT Ammonia-Nitrogen Test Kit
Aquarium Pharmaceuticals FasTesT Nitrite-Nitrogen Test Kit
Aquarium Pharmaceuticals FasTesT Nitrate-Nitrogen Test Kit
The Good:
Cheaper per test.
Good to have the nitrite test for the first cycle, but you'll rarely, if ever need it again. You probably won't use all 20 nitrite tests before they expire. By buying it as part of this combo pack, it minimizes the cost of the unnecessary nitrite kit.
FasTest pH kit scale has smaller increments than Salifert and easier to read.
Easier to use, which is good for beginners and makes your testing faster than most other kits, especially the Salifert. Time saved is very valuable in this hobby.
The Bad:
You aren't getting the excellent Salifert Nitrate test kit. But most beginners will be very happy to know their nitrate accurate to 10ppm increments, so not really that bad.
Summary:
It isn't the perfect combo test kit, but it is darn close and for the price and accuracy trade-off, it can't be beat.
Now I must return to....my subjects....Egor Egor! Where did you put that test vial cap! Find it now or you will be punished!! MUHHHAAHHAHAHAH!!!!
My Other Aquarium Related Reviews:
Testing Equipment:
Salifert pH test kit
Salifert KH/Alkalinity Test Kit
Salifert Calcium Test Kit
Salifert Magnesium Test Kit
Salifert Phosphate Test Kit
Aquarium Pharmaceuticals FasTesT pH Test Kit
Aquarium Pharmaceuticals FasTesT Ammonia-Nitrogen Test Kit
Aquarium Pharmaceuticals FasTesT Nitrite-Nitrogen Test Kit
Aquarium Pharmaceuticals FasTesT Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate and pH Test Kit also called the Multi-Master Test Kit now.
Aquarium Pharmaceuticals FasTesT Nitrate-Nitrogen Test Kit
Aquarium Systems SeaTesT Hydrometer
Pumps:
Hagen AquaClear Power Head 201
MAG-DRIVE PUMPS
Rena Air Aquarium Air Pumps
Skimmers:
CPR Aquatic Cyclone Bak-Pak 2R
Aquarium Systems SeaClone Protein Skimmer SCPS-100
Aquarium Supply Stores:
Marine Depot Aquarium Supplies
Drs. Foster & Smith Online Store
Aquariums:
All-Glass Standard Size Aquariums
All-Glass Large Size Aquariums
My Aquarium Advice:
The top 10 things you NEED to start a saltwater aquarium
Recommended:
Yes
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colstudent69
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Member: Brian
Location: Houston, TX
Reviews written: 127
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About Me:
Instructional Technology Educator
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