Does anyone have a web site i could go to and purchase a water test kit for
ponds that "does not" cost a whole lot of money and easy/simple to use??/
Thanks........

On Fri, 29 Jun 2007 18:25:28 CST, "Paul" wrote:

Does anyone have a web site i could go to and purchase a water test kit for
ponds that "does not" cost a whole lot of money and easy/simple to use??/
Thanks........

www.thatpetplace.com

Ammonia - http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/214923/product.web
pH - http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/214733/product.web
KH - http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/214598/product.web
Nitrite - http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/215459/product.web

These tests do run around $8-11/each, but you can buy refill bottles for
around $3-3.50. And there is an expiration date on the box that you can
easily find and read. ~ jan
------------
Zone 7a, SE Washington State
Ponds: www.jjspond.us

On Fri, 29 Jun 2007 18:25:28 CST, "Paul" wrote:

Does anyone have a web site i could go to and purchase a water test kit for
ponds that "does not" cost a whole lot of money and easy/simple to use??/
Thanks........

I like this one:
http://tinyurl.com/2koxyr
I usually replace it each spring so dating isn't a problem and I
always have solution left over, even looking at ponds other than my
own.
Plus a salt test kit like this:
http://tinyurl.com/2p7knt
Or, you could choose one of these refractors:
http://tinyurl.com/2swkvp
I am familiar with the drops and find them adequate.

I must admit the pH scale only goes to 8.8 on this kit and if you have
high pH you might choose to get one that goes to 9. Personally if my
pH reaches 8.8 and/or darker than the chart color, I will dump in
baking soda immediately and consider water changes and acid next.
(Baking soda will top out at 8.4 and in some cases reduce pH to that
number.)

Regards,

Hal

In article ,
~ jan wrote:

On Fri, 29 Jun 2007 18:25:28 CST, "Paul" wrote:

Does anyone have a web site i could go to and purchase a water test kit for
ponds that "does not" cost a whole lot of money and easy/simple to use??/
Thanks........

www.thatpetplace.com

Ammonia - http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/214923/product.web
pH - http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/214733/product.web
KH - http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/214598/product.web
Nitrite - http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/215459/product.web

These tests do run around $8-11/each, but you can buy refill bottles for
around $3-3.50. And there is an expiration date on the box that you can
easily find and read. ~ jan


Out of curiousity- what is the reality of how much an out-of-date (say 2
years) all-in-one litmus kit that had been kept in dark container, would
be off. Would certain readings tend to me more off than another?

--
To reply by email, remove the word "space"

On Sun, 1 Jul 2007 17:32:03 CST, Kurt wrote:

Out of curiousity- what is the reality of how much an out-of-date (say 2
years) all-in-one litmus kit that had been kept in dark container, would
be off. Would certain readings tend to me more off than another?

I couldn't tell you. In the KHA program they showed us how to make a
control solution (one you know is a certain ppm/pH, etc.) and test it. I
don't go to that extreme, but I do periodically have the other KHA check my
water, to see if my readings are similar to his.

My experience with the strips was when they hit the expiration date they
were DOA. I almost killed an $80 fish, back in my less experienced days,
because of the brand of strip I had, had just passed the expiration date.
Has the chart you compare the strip to, also been kept in the dark? They do
fade with time.

Short answer, YMMV, as will brand & type. ;-) I wouldn't chance it after
the expiration date has been reached.

Btw, I went to my local hardware store and here were a bunch of Pond test
strips left out in the heat, rain, cold (and looked like it), pass
expiration date, still for sale. Buyer beware. ~ jan
------------
Zone 7a, SE Washington State
Ponds: www.jjspond.us

"~ jan" wrote:

On Sun, 1 Jul 2007 17:32:03 CST, Kurt wrote:

Out of curiousity- what is the reality of how much an out-of-date (say 2
years) all-in-one litmus kit that had been kept in dark container, would
be off. Would certain readings tend to me more off than another?

I couldn't tell you. In the KHA program they showed us how to make a
control solution (one you know is a certain ppm/pH, etc.) and test it. I
don't go to that extreme, but I do periodically have the other KHA check my
water, to see if my readings are similar to his.

My experience with the strips was when they hit the expiration date they
were DOA. I almost killed an $80 fish, back in my less experienced days,
because of the brand of strip I had, had just passed the expiration date.
Has the chart you compare the strip to, also been kept in the dark? They do
fade with time.

Short answer, YMMV, as will brand & type. ;-) I wouldn't chance it after
the expiration date has been reached.

Btw, I went to my local hardware store and here were a bunch of Pond test
strips left out in the heat, rain, cold (and looked like it), pass
expiration date, still for sale. Buyer beware. ~ jan
------------
Zone 7a, SE Washington State
Ponds: www.jjspond.us


I buy a new test kit every year. Ammonia, nitrites, ph & kh. Considering the
investment in pond and fish, it is cheap insurance.


San Diego Joe
4,000 - 5,000 Gallons.
Koi, Goldfish, and RES named Colombo.

Paul wrote:
Does anyone have a web site i could go to and purchase a water test kit for
ponds that "does not" cost a whole lot of money and easy/simple to use??/


I have a stupid question - Tractor Supply (and Wal-Mart) sell soil test
kits for ~$5. Is there any reason those won't work?


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