Exact iDip Digital Water Testing

ATB USA · Jan 8, 2016

I have the IDip and Hanna for Alk & Cal
I have tested with both and get results that are close.
As far as ease of use, the IDip is the way to go.

Armydogracing · Jan 8, 2016

ATB USA said:
I have the IDip and Hanna for Alk & Cal
I have tested with both and get results that are close.
As far as ease of use, the IDip is the way to go.

Ive been waiting for someone to say this. That is good news.

Like i said I am interested in this and have been contemplating getting it. Just want to make sure its worth it.

Armydogracing · Jan 8, 2016

How close are the results? I run zeo so its imperative that my levels stay below certain numbers

lnevo · Jan 8, 2016

Alk prior 147, 152, 150, 151 each 2 weeks apart.

The rest have been as consistent or varied as I've adjusted dosing and feeding.

You can see all my test results on aquaticlog, http://www.aquaticlog.com/aquariums/lnevo/1

I've been using the idip exclusively since mid september

ATB USA · Jan 8, 2016

With the Idip, you will it with water, Hit the zero button, hit the test button, It starts counting down, You put in the test strip and move it back and forth till the count reaches one, you remove the strip, it gives you the result.

Now you do have people who may:

Not fill the hole completely
bump out some water moving it from the tank to the table
not have the strip ready and put it in right after they hit test, or put it id before they hit test
Not leave the strip in till the count reaches one or leave it in after the count is over

You can't fix people who cannot read instructions, but I believe if you gave this test to 20 - 3rd graders they would all be able to get the same result if they follow the simple steps.

ALL the other tests you can give to grown adults and they will get different results. If you did not listen in chemistry class, most people do not know how to read it a test tube has 10ml. The top of the arc or the bottom of the arc? Don't get me started on the tests you need to swirl

thedru13 · Jan 8, 2016

I have been pretty methodical about my testing methods. I have even gone the route of doing the test incorrectly to see how off the results are.. That being said my results have been inconsistant at best. Now I would like to think of myself as more on the 5th grade level ....

that being said I am not slamming this testing method but to make the blanket statement below might be a bit harsh in reality.

for me I test at the same time..... using the instructions correctly and even measure out how much water is being used to fill the idip. also only moving the test strip twice per second to make sure the readings are consistent. ... Another example is PH for me.. I use 2 different calibrated probes for PH and the idip has never pulled an accurate reading.. It always reads High. Meaning i don't get a number it only says HI...

ATB USA said:
With the Idip, you will it with water, Hit the zero button, hit the test button, It starts counting down, You put in the test strip and move it back and forth till the count reaches one, you remove the strip, it gives you the result.

Now you do have people who may:

Not fill the hole completely

bump out some water moving it from the tank to the table

not have the strip ready and put it in right after they hit test, or put it id before they hit test

Not leave the strip in till the count reaches one or leave it in after the count is over

You can't fix people who cannot read instructions, but I believe if you gave this test to 20 - 3rd graders they would all be able to get the same result if they follow the simple steps.

ALL the other tests you can give to grown adults and they will get different results. If you did not listen in chemistry class, most people do not know how to read it a test tube has 10ml. The top of the arc or the bottom of the arc? Don't get me started on the tests you need to swirl

prdubois · Jan 8, 2016

thedru13 said:
I have been pretty methodical about my testing methods. I have even gone the route of doing the test incorrectly to see how off the results are.. That being said my results have been inconsistant at best. Now I would like to think of myself as more on the 5th grade level ....

that being said I am not slamming this testing method but to make the blanket statement below might be a bit harsh in reality.

for me I test at the same time..... using the instructions correctly and even measure out how much water is being used to fill the idip. also only moving the test strip twice per second to make sure the readings are consistent. ... Another example is PH for me.. I use 2 different calibrated probes for PH and the idip has never pulled an accurate reading.. It always reads High. Meaning i don't get a number it only says HI...

I would contact them and get them to replace your unit.

thedru13 · Jan 8, 2016

prdubois said:
I would contact them and get them to replace your unit.

I have contacted them and have done some trouble shooting. They have not offered to replace the unit as of yet.

Greenstreet.1 · Jan 8, 2016

I for one love salifert that's all I use. Since I got the idip it has been on point with salifert ALK and cal don't know why the other guy is so off will run some test this weekend and see. Have tested ALK since the update and it was on point as always.

Armydogracing · Jan 8, 2016

lnevo said:
Alk prior 147, 152, 150, 151 each 2 weeks apart.

The rest have been as consistent or varied as I've adjusted dosing and feeding.

You can see all my test results on aquaticlog, http://www.aquaticlog.com/aquariums/lnevo/1

I've been using the idip exclusively since mid september

Thank you I will check it out

Greenstreet.1 said:
I for one love salifert that's all I use. Since I got the idip it has been on point with salifert ALK and cal don't know why the other guy is so off will run some test this weekend and see. Have tested ALK since the update and it was on point as always.

That is good news like I said I am definitely interested in it but just wanted to make sure on accuracy compared to other tests first.

How many test do you get before you have to replenish?

Greenstreet.1 · Jan 8, 2016

100 test strips

Armydogracing · Jan 8, 2016

Very nice!

slosoak · Jan 9, 2016

Calcium has been good for me. Haven't had a low reading for nitrate so can't comment on that range but I have been getting .03 for phosphate where before I was getting a reading of low with no value. I use an ipad and that notified me of the update.