Which ICP test to choose?

Cory · Nov 13, 2018

Marin labs uses a refractometer to measure salinity fwiw.

Next round ill use triton

ca1ore · Nov 13, 2018

Triton back in about a week. Key is to use the correct address LOL.

SaltwaterAq · Nov 13, 2018

Each has lots of Bonuses. Here are a few

Triton - Best Selling, Best known Brand Name, On Sale right now, usually most expensive.

ATI - Includes Prepaid Label for Shipping, Does RODI & Tank Water, Good Brand Name, Salinity & KH.

ICP-Analysis - USA Based Testing, Best software app, cheapest price, quickest turnaround.

Marinlab - Had RODI & Water Test Combo. Affiliated with Aquaforest. Slowest of the 4.

https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/chemistry/water-testing/icp-test-kits/

We should do a full comparison.

Fudsey · Nov 13, 2018

@SaltwaterAq you forgot that ATI includes RODI test too

SaltwaterAq · Nov 13, 2018

Fudsey said:
@SaltwaterAq you forgot that ATI includes RODI test too

Updated

ddrueckh · Nov 13, 2018

I used Triton once in the past...it was fine. Next time, I will use ATI. Why the change? Because ATI tests for the following that Triton does not:

Salinity
Ammonia
Nitrate
Nitrite
Alkalinity
RO/DI water

I know my home test kits can easily test for these, but I like confirmation that my test results are accurate. That is partly why I send out these tests...also to test things that I cannot test for.

I have also read that ATI bases their analysis on your salinity. Triton bases their analysis on a salinity of 35ppt. If your salinity is different than this, the results will be off. I'm sure someone will correct me if this is not correct and please do. Thanks.

ihavecrabs · Nov 19, 2018

I have used ATI and happy with it; however, I'm going to give ICP-Analysis a chance and see what shipping costs me.

I don't know if ATI raised their price but my first test cost me $39.95 and now they are 44.95 everywhere.

WallysWorld · Nov 19, 2018

I used Triton. Results in 10 days.

Hitman · Nov 19, 2018

ATI I had my results in 10 days and everything matched what I test for within the factory error ranges. ATI also tests your RO/DI water free as well as several other parameters that others do not test for.

n2585722 · Nov 19, 2018

I have used these without any issues. https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/icp-water-analysis-two-test-kit-33-elements-icp-analysis/

vetteguy53081 · Nov 19, 2018

Impressed thus far with triton.... ease of access, full description, easy to understand and recommendations to meet quotas

Mkissane · Nov 19, 2018

stevenlu said:
Hello I'm trying to decide which ICP test to give a try. I heard Triton takes forever to come aback and ATI has salinity issues. Can anyone recommend?

Thanks a lot!

I used Triton. Took less than a week to get results. However , I live close to Unique Coral in Van Nuys which is the local location for collecting and shipping to Germany. They send updates via email each step of the process.

Gordonjones · Nov 20, 2018

Used Triton in February/ March 2017. Got first result back very timely. Next two (sent at same time) resulted in no return emails for forty five days and then it was a "probably could not be a Triton problem, but how can we assist with the issues. They acknowledged receiving the samples. I never did receive the test results. About $80.00 thrown away and a very frustrating experience to never happen againin

chicago · Nov 20, 2018

ATI and triton. I personally liked ATI
Tested for other issues. Tests to water and liked the web interface for the results ect

Robert@MD · Nov 20, 2018

stevenlu said:
Hello I'm trying to decide which ICP test to give a try. I heard Triton takes forever to come aback and ATI has salinity issues. Can anyone recommend?

Thanks a lot!

@stevenlu We sent off all x4 of the major tests to get a feel for how each of the services work. The video below summarizes it all for you.

I would consider what you need to know and how fast you need to know it.

For 99% of us, the AWT service from Aqua Medic is great because they are in Colorado and will give you a quick snapshot of the most important parameters. This blog post I recently published can give you some more detailed insight and it is important to note, they are not using ICP Machines.

If you are looking for the full ICP analysis with individual trace elements, I would just go with the ICP Analysis from Coralvue because you will get it back sooner and they have a slick App to monitor it all. ATI and Triton are certainly more developed services but for whatever reason I am far more comfortable with the results when I know the sample water is being tested within 3-5 days of sending it out.

Best of luck and feel free to ping me back anytime!