Test kits

[Bazz]

:confused: Hi all
Just wondering with all the different water test kits available, which kits are being used by you fellow members. Could you give a good/bad/value for money and the place of purchase.
thanks .

[Murray]

Here are two test kits that are most commonly used by Aquaponics enthusiasts
Link is here (http://www.aquaponics.net.au/category17_1.htm)

The second kit is the one I use. It will do about 700 tests. I have had mine for 18 months and there is plenty left.

[Bazz]

Thanks Murray,
I notice someone else had ask the same thing after posting this thread... ooh well. Thanks again:)

[GaryD]

Hi Bazz,

I started to post the same information at the same time that Murray did. The kits to which he refers are probably those most commonly used by backyard aquaponicists.

GaryD

[I_am_the_waterboy]

My knowledge of ponds has led me to ask this question.

What are most users using to top up the water in their systems? eg. town water, rain water or other?

My experience with both pond fish and aquatic plants has led me to test the water hardness, both total hardness and carbonate hardness. I have found that the beneficial bacteria in biological pond filters, fish and plants thrive much better in harder water compared to soft water (like rainwater). I use a lot of pond products developed by OASE in Germany. I use a product called 'Hardness Plus' to raise the water hardness. Oase also have a range of test kits, My favourite is the test strips.

link below is for the Australian distributor's website.

http://www.clearpond.com.au/go/our-products&catID=46&mode=subCats

regards

Shane

[GaryD]

Hi Waterboy,

I used mains water before we bought our tank. Now I use all rainwater.

On the matter of pH and nitrifying bacteria, I believed that, too. You may want to take at a look at this post and the attached link......here. (http://www.aquaponicshq.com/forums/showthread.php?t=87)

Gary