Test Kits. Api, Jbl, Salifert?

Hi, ive got most of the apI tests but shops near me are phasing them out due to accuracy issues. JBL seems to be the preferred option now and I was looking at the JBL proscape kit as it has a few more unusual tests (iron, magnesium, potassium etc).
Does anyone have any experience with this kit?
I've just used salifert nitrate kit that clearly indicated 25ppm where my apI shows 0ppm.
I know there can pe issues with apI nitrate test but has anyone used salifert, the one I got is for saltwater but I was advised it works for both salt and freshwater?

 

Hi, ive got most of the apI tests but shops near me are phasing them out due to accuracy issues. JBL seems to be the preferred option now and I was looking at the JBL proscape kit as it has a few more unusual tests (iron, magnesium, potassium etc).
Does anyone have any experience with this kit?
I've just used salifert nitrate kit that clearly indicated 25ppm where my apI shows 0ppm.
I know there can pe issues with apI nitrate test but has anyone used salifert, the one I got is for saltwater but I was advised it works for both salt and freshwater?

I’m not familiar with JBL tests (I’ll have to look that up) but as far as the apI liquid tests, I’ve found that shaking them vigorously before use gives me better results. As far as the apI nitrate test goes, I have to shake bottle 2 for a longer period of time than suggested as the solvent becomes stuck to the bottom of the bottle. This is also true for apI ammonia bottle 1 as I also have to shake that well before use.

 

https://www.ntlabs.co.uk/

Note that they use nitrate-nitrogen units which is different from API.

 

I think JBL might be a European brand, the kit looks interesting but its not cheap!

 

I think JBL might be a European brand, the kit looks interesting but its not cheap!

I believe you’re right. I tried searching for it and only found the test strips on eBay and a water analysis mechanism by using a smartphone. Both are listed from out of the United States (where I live). However, the smartphone test looks really interesting. I doubt it gives an accurate reading though I may be totally wrong.

 

One of my local stores now use the test-strips, I think the mobile app is just for analysing the colour to eliminate personal interpretation so would probably work well, I'm looking at a traditional box kit with regents as I want to test individual things and those strips are about £1 a go.

 

One of my local stores now use the test-strips, I think the mobile app is just for analysing the colour to eliminate personal interpretation so would probably work well, I'm looking at a traditional box kit with regents as I want to test individual things and those strips are about £1 a go.

I just found that on eBay as well. I don’t believe those of us living in the US can get that here. If you decided to purchase, let us know how it works. I’m interested to see if it works better than api.

 

I've purchased for £55 inc postage ($72).
Will let you know, it uses some powders to avoid separating issues like with API.

 

I've purchased for £55 inc postage ($72).
Will let you know, it uses some powders to avoid separating issues like with API.

I'm very interested to know your thoughts. And if its worth buying.

 

I received the proscape test kit yesterday and did most of the tests last night.
It's quite technical with different quantities of water and different bottles/test tubes for different tests.
I'll give it a few more tests to get used to it and do a bit of a review.

 

I received the proscape test kit yesterday and did most of the tests last night.
It's quite technical with different quantities of water and different bottles/test tubes for different tests.
I'll give it a few more tests to get used to it and do a bit of a review.

Cool. Thanks!

 

As AvalancheDave was pointing out above.....

When trying new brands of test kits, DO pay attention to how that particular brand tests the substance.

Some brands will test only the nitrogen of the nitrate, nitrite, or ammonia ions. And others such as API uses the entire ion. In other words... Some brands test Nitrate as nitrate ... others test Nitrate as nitrogen. Same goes for the other nitrogen products. This means the numbers expressed are not the same.

This can lead to confusion on the forum if people do not state and understand the differences.

Just as some folks measure GH/KH using ppm and others using dgh/dkh. It can be confusing if you don't know what you are seeing. 18ppm is a huge difference from 18dgh or dkh.

So please be aware of the differences. There are conversions available but a result of 45ppm nitrate using API would be the same as 10ppm nitrate using a test kit that tests nitrate as nitrogen.

See what we are getting at?