What Are Good Monitors ?

[JARRETT SHARK]

Looking To Get A Calcium, Ph, Nitrate Monitors, Phosphate ,looking For Peoples Opinon,love To Know If One Meter Could Do All Three, Need Brand Name And Where To Get For Less Money, Anyone Have Used Is Also A +

 

[PhoenixOne]

*Drool* I too would love to know if they make a montior that does all three...maybe even 4 or 5. But I haven't seen or heard any that do. Anybody knows?

 

[SI REEF]

hanna makes a great phosphate meter ( photometer)

 

[PhoenixOne]

I called some of my reef "guru" buddies and all three of them said they liked Pinpoint for calcium, nitrate and PH and Hanna for phosphate. They also told me how much some of them costs and I almost keeled over. Geez!!! They also said they haven't heard of any "all in one" monitors. But I can imagine if they do make one, it will have one....HEFTY....price tag.

 

[masterswimmer]

Save your money on the Calcium monitor. You'll spend much more than the effort it takes to use it. It requires recalibration almost each time you put it to use.

As mentioned, the Hanna Phosphate Photometer is fantastic.
The Pinpoint pH meter is very adequate.
The Pinpoint wireless thermometer is great too.

The rest of the tests (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, Dkh, etc) are more cost effective in the test kit form.

JMO
Russ

 

[cali_reef]

I called some of my reef "guru" buddies and all three of them said they liked Pinpoint for calcium, nitrate

You need some new reef "guru" buddies, these guys are BS'ING you since those two pinpoint sucks.

 

[KathyC]

Save your money on the Calcium monitor. You'll spend much more than the effort it takes to use it. It requires recalibration almost each time you put it to use.

As mentioned, the Hanna Phosphate Photometer is fantastic.
The Pinpoint pH meter is very adequate.
The Pinpoint wireless thermometer is great too.

The rest of the tests (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, Dkh, etc) are more cost effective in the test kit form.

JMO
Russ

Ditto on what Master said.
Nothing except the Hanna for Phosphates will give you a true reading. Due to the cost your best bet is to find someone who lives near you that has one
I've also found that the Corallife digital thermometer is fairly accurate.
Then again..you could always go for a full scale controller like the AC Jr so that you can also control your lighting, heater, chiller (if you have one), as it will also monitor your temp & PH.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

If you're looking to spend money, buy a controller, most monitor PH and temp, the others, Calcium get a test kit, it's cheaper and much much easier. Hanna Meter for phosphates is great but it is also very expensive I suggest a kit for that as well unless you feel you have a big phosphate problem.

 

[JARRETT SHARK]

Thank You All But The Reason I Want A Meter Is I Hate Testing The Water Every Other Day,a Real Pain In The Ass

 

[Sean]

the calcium meter from pinpoint is not suppose to be left in the aquarium like a temperature meter or such. You're suppose to use it then put it away and you should calibrate it each time. So as far as making it easier...
And if your going to get a Temperature and P.H. monitor might as well get a controller instead. I like pinpoint for these.

 

[smcooler]

another good po4 meter




http://www.aquacave.com/mi-412-phosphate-colorimeterbr-low-range-by-martini-842.html



stan

 

[jhart]

save ur money do water changes , If you have live rock , and u do water changes and keep ur phosphates down , ull grow coralline algae, within 6 months, when there about a quarter size, ur alk and calcium show be stable, then your rocking, all is needed is a ph monitor, Ph is more or less ur life line , when somethings wrong ur ph will tell u...

 

[jejton]

I've also found that the Corallife digital thermometer is fairly accurate.

Really? I have gone through two or three ( used them for aquariums and terrariums ) and have found that they tend to show a temperature a few degrees lower than what my old fashioned mercury aquarium thermometers show. I'm more inclined to believe the mercury ones.

 

[Aqualung]

Coralife thermometers are not accurate.. I have 4 of them in my freshwater tanks.If I put all 4 in the same tank,in the same place they will show up to two degrees difference..

 

[JARRETT SHARK]

So You Dont Think A Calcium Meter Is Worth Buying? I Hate Testing For It

 

[masterswimmer]

So You Dont Think A Calcium Meter Is Worth Buying? I Hate Testing For It

PM sent.

The calcium reactor does not have a probe that can remain in the water for continuous readings. It must be taken out after each use. The hassle of calibrating it for each and every use makes it more of a chore than just using a Salifert Ca test kit.

Hope this helped

 

[Sean]

it is a pain to calibrate the probe but so is counting drops. I still haven't decided which I hate more.