Possible club meeting topic?

[Mark75]

I hope I am not over stepping as a new member, but I would like to suggest a topic for a club meeting.

Parameter testing and results from different test kits and also variations in results different users.

First test - "user influence on test kits"

Divide up in groups of three, each group with a different brand nitrate test kit. Each group test tank blind to other tester to avoid altering testers normal routine. Group two does the same and so on. After all groups have tested we assemble and compare results.

Results will show how user friendly different brands are as well as members learning new/better testing procedures.

Second Test- "comparison of test kit brands"

Members each test tank with their test kit documenting results. Comparisons between Salifert, API, Red Sea, etc. Results will show over/under trends between test kits which will be helpful comparing parameter between two tanks using different test kits.

Third test- "Complete tank parameter testing"

3 members volunteer, or more if time allows, to measure all tank parameters. Salinity, cal.,nitrate, alk,. phosphate, etc. Documents all results and share. I think it would be very interesting to see the results.

This is a little selfish on my part because I am always leery of test results and would like to see how this plays out. Testing is so important in maintaining our tanks yet it seems I hear so many times how tanks are lost do to testing error or bad kits.

This would require us to assemble several brands of test kits, I wouldn't think that would be to difficult.

I can bring a complete API Reef kit.

 

[BlueDevil]

This will be an interesting experiment indeed. I have always wondered how much the numbers vary from person to person, or among different brands, especially when it comes to identifying which drop of reagent is the one that gets you to the 'final' color in your eyes. I realize in the grand scheme of things one drop probably won't matter a whole lot, especially when it comes to Ca or Mg testing, but different interpretations of say the Nitrate test color could mean anywhere from a 5 to a 15 reading.

 

[Chriscrna]

What is this....."parameter testing" you speak of?

 

[Mark75]

Well,...maybe I am the only one questioning there test kit? [emoji16]

 

[cee]

Hmmm, perhaps a "bias" people might have based on their testing experience. Nitrate and phosphate will really boil down to people's perception of color, particular matching the references that are not very accurate depending on test kit manufacturer. Titration will basically depend on where you define the "end point"; some kits have a sharper color change than others. I go for differences from one test to the other, seeking relative changes and paying less attention to absolute numbers. If you really want to make it interesting, throw a potassium or strontium test in there LOL.

I think it is a good idea and would likely teach people how to properly use the test kits, get ideas from other users in how they apply the techniques, etc. As an example, Rob did a titration test for another member at my house and I learned that the way the Red Sea kit syringe holder was made it was designed for one-hand operation. I don't know if I would have ever come to this conclusion had I not seen someone else use the kit.

 

[Rob.D]

What???......wait!!!.......hold on!!!.......How dare you come up with a topic for a meeting!!! Shaking my head and finger...shaming you!!!!!

Actually I love this idea, I think it'll be fun and informational. It might be hard to pull off at this months meeting at Aquatic Marine (lack of counter space) but if you want we can give it a shot or wait until December for a meeting at a members home?

 

[Mark75]

When ever it works out best,...we will need some room and a willing patient(tank). [emoji16]

 

[CastAway]

I've always thought it would be interesting for folks to bring their own test kits to a meeting, test the hosts water on their own, then compare measurements.

Comparing brands, and looking for the min, max, average and mean would be interesting to me. And someone might just learn something on technique and judging their color shifts.

 

[Rob.D]

I'll have my Red Sea kits with me and a water sample.

 

[BlueDevil]

Will we have room to do the testing at AM? I thought we were going to do that experiment when we have the meeting at someone's house. If we're going to do it this Sat I can bring a water sample and my Red Sea kit (Alk, Ca, Mg) and Salifert for NO3

 

[BlueDevil]

On second thought, shouldn't we all test the same water sample with different human/kit combinations to get a good read on the testing variation? If so we could bring our kits and see if AM will give us a water sample to test.

This might not be the right thread for this but I'd be happy to volunteer to host the next meeting. I take it we'll skip December with the party so I'm cool with Jan unless someone else has already committed.

 

[Rob.D]

You might be right on holding off until our Dec / Jan meeting.

 

[cee]

What I'd really like to see is a direct comparison of what one sample from one aquarium measures on each of the major test kits allowing me to fill out the following table. If the Triton data was available for the same test sample then even better.

Brand---------- alkalinity----------calcium----------magnesium----------phosphorus----------nitrate----------potassium----------strontium

Saliferts
Red Sea
LaMottes
Elos
Hanna (where applicable)
etc.

 

[Rob.D]

What I'd really like to see is a direct comparison of what one sample from one aquarium measures on each of the major test kits allowing me to fill out the following table. If the Triton data was available for the same test sample then even better.

Brand---------- alkalinity----------calcium----------magnesium----------phosphorus----------nitrate----------potassium----------strontium

Saliferts
Red Sea
LaMottes
Elos
Hanna (where applicable)
etc.

Funny you mention Triton test......Mr.Saltwatertank.com will be shipping us 3 Triton test kits to be given away at the December meeting.......