Best Auto Water Parameter Tester

[LRT]

I remember back in the day there was a simple tester with probes that tested the big 3. Alk, cal and magnesium. Not even sure if those still exist.
What are you using and how does it work?
Thinking about setting up wifes DT to run some torches and eventually tenuis and some other stuff.
Once I get comfortable with testing and automation I think I will end up setting up doser eventually.
Its all pretty overwhelming and not even sure where to start.

 

[mdb_talon]

I remember the Pinpoint calcium probes. I never got one due to reports of innaccurate and difficult to calibrate correctly.

I dont think there has ever been an alkalinity probe though? From my understanding it is not really possible?

 

[LRT]

I remember the Pinpoint calcium probes. I never got one due to reports of innaccurate and difficult to calibrate correctly.

I dont think there has ever been an alkalinity probe though? From my understanding it is not really possible?

Could be totally right. Not really sure whats available or exactly what was around in early 2000's.

 

[LRT]

I do have hanna alk tester thats pretty simple to use. Could stick with that was just kind of hoping there was an all in one tester available. Totally new to all of it honestly. Don't have to worry about any of this on my shrooms tables honestly regular water changes and stability keeps them happy.

 

[mdb_talon]

I am far from an expert as i dont have any of them but look into trident and GHL ion director(this one been delayed many times dont think released yet). Think they dont test exactly the same things and work a bit differently. Also reefbot, but heard bad things about that one. Probably others i missed.

Eventually one of these will be on my list of things to get, but honestly i am cheap and dont really care about anything being tested that often other than alk. KH director i would love to have just not been willing to pay for it yet.

 

[TheDragonsReef]

Theres a few on the market but nothing with probes for alk/cal/mg. You have the apex and trident setup, alktronic and mastertronic, and reefbot.

The apex/trident combo can do ph, temp, salinity, and orp with probes and alk, cal, and mg with reagent testing. Ive been running one for about 6 months now and love it. Had one small issue but was an easy fix.

The alktronic seems to be the most reliable alk tester on the market and has been proven for years. However they use a different alk tester on the mastertronic. The mastertronic however tests not only alk/cal/mg but also nitrate and phosphate making it a more complete automated tester. As its a new product there isnt much out on its reliability yet.

The reefbot is a computer that uses hobby grade test kits and does them automatically for you. Its nice cause you can choose what you want to test and can test for as many parameters as you can fit in the machine. Theres a regular version and a larger version that can test for more parameters. Another plus is readily available reagents since it uses off the shelf kits. It can only use liquid reagent tests however.

 

[LRT]

Theres a few on the market but nothing with probes for alk/cal/mg. You have the apex and trident setup, alktronic and mastertronic, and reefbot.

The apex/trident combo can do ph, temp, salinity, and orp with probes and alk, cal, and mg with reagent testing. Ive been running one for about 6 months now and love it. Had one small issue but was an easy fix.

The alktronic seems to be the most reliable alk tester on the market and has been proven for years. However they use a different alk tester on the mastertronic. The mastertronic however tests not only alk/cal/mg but also nitrate and phosphate making it a more complete automated tester. As its a new product there isnt much out on its reliability yet.

The reefbot is a computer that uses hobby grade test kits and does them automatically for you. Its nice cause you can choose what you want to test and can test for as many parameters as you can fit in the machine. Theres a regular version and a larger version that can test for more parameters. Another plus is readily available reagents since it uses off the shelf kits. It can only use liquid reagent tests however.

Thank you for this!
That mastertronic sounds awesome.
I've been looking at the apex trident combo. Some serious money but honestly probably what I need.