A great test for fish only systems, only OK for reefs.
Written: Apr 08 '05 (Updated Jul 07 '05)
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Pros: Cheap and when used as described above they are good enough for most SW keepers.
Cons: Can be inaccurate, pH monitor and probe are more accurate.
The Bottom Line: Fairly inaccurate, but good enough for most Fish Only and easy reef tanks. Advanced reef keepers should get the pH monitor and probe.
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| colstudent69's Full Review: Fastest PH Test Kit |
Aquarium pH is one of the most critical factors in care of your aquarium inhabitants. In general you will want to keep your pH in the range of 7.7-8.5 for fish only systems and 8.0-8.3 for reef tanks.
Measuring your pH is critical to the survival of your pets. Unfortunately measuring it accurately with precision is difficult to do with this test. If you spend any time in the saltwater(SW) aquarium hobby you know that monitoring pH with a pH monitoring probe is the best way to go. However, many of us cannot afford the $100-$200 an accurate pH probe can cost.
Luckily the FasTesT test kit is cheap and in my experience accurate enough for monitoring pH in the average Fish Only(FO) or reef tank.
I prefer Sailfert test kits for some tests, but I think FasTesT is better for pH. The scale is in .2 increments while Sailfert is .3 and the FasTesT kits come in a sealed foil packet that last in storage longer. Per test they are cheaper as well when you buy the refill packets.
Usage:
Keeping in mind that these tests are not that accurate, you need to strive for keeping your pH in the middle of the above ranges. That way when you test your pH being 8.0, you can be reasonably sure your pH is between 7.8 and 8.2, which are both acceptable. But if your pH tests 7.8, then you can only assume it is between 7.6 and 8.0 and that 7.6 is getting into the danger zone for some inhabitants.
Fish are more tolerant of pH and pH swings, so I would recommend these test kits to FO tank owners. For reef tanks with easy to medium difficulty inhabitants then these should be fine too. Just make sure to get your pH tested by a more accurate source(such as a pH probe at a local fish store) once in a while.
For reef tanks with expensive and difficult to keep inhabitants, upgrade to the pH monitor and probe and avoid this test kit. $100-$200 for a probe is a good investment when you have $1000+ in inhabitants.
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
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Instructional Technology Educator
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