The One-drop Test

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#1
I DON’T LIKE testing water. But to be successful in Reefing, it seems like testing is a requirement at some point in the hobbyist’s journey.

I test because I need to know my tank numbers; but I don’t like doing it…..the NASA testing SOPs…. The cleaning of vials and pippettes. The cleaning….the cleaning …

Besides the automated testers, we are left with these drop-drop tests. The lazy-side of me ponders “Why can’t we have a one-drop test”… no vial ..no pippette cleaning.

(Disclaimer: I’m using these numbers as an example. Don’t get mad at me with this suggestion, but the current recommendation (not set in stone) is to have phos > 0.1 ppm …. And Nitrate > 10 ppm. )

What is a one-drop test?

-Place one-drop of tank water on to a glass slide.
- Drop one-drop of titrant (from an eye-drop bottle) on to the tank water drop.
- Observe for color change.
-Wipe glass slide with a clean paper towel.
-Done.

The color change would indicate if your water has greater than the the required number. Ex: if you don’t see color change, your phos is less than 0.1 ppm , then you need to add more slowly (increasing method varies). If you have greater than 0.1 ppm don’t do anything or, if you want, do something to lower it. This applies for the nitrate test also (using different titrant). These test titrants can be for different ‘targets’.

This lazy test is more for tank maintenance. For hobbyists with some knowledge of how their tanks behave.


So is this one-drop test even possible in term “chemistry”…. Or does it make sense to just know “greater or less than “.

(I don’t complain about my salinity refractometer tester…. Drop …. Observe…wipe).

What do you think about one-drop tester ?
 

joseserrano

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#2
I don’t think so. I believe you would have to develop a weak acid/reagent to measure the color difference, which creates work and inconsistency. If you are lazy, you can get a handheld lammonte color meter tester that does mostly all the values you would be interested in. The tester is around 1000, and reagent disks are $3-5
 

joseserrano

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#5
1000 is that the model ? Or price ? You’re killing me Jose. Haha
Price. It’s meant for aquarium stores, but if you are lazy it’s the fanciest Hanna you can get I guess. Greg Caroll has one, and it’s pretty easy to use. I was considering one for serving.
 
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#6
Price. It’s meant for aquarium stores, but if you are lazy it’s the fanciest Hanna you can get I guess. Greg Caroll has one, and it’s pretty easy to use. I was considering one for serving.
Would you stop using “lazy”. Haha.

At that price …. We are talking about automated testers. I am more in line to the drop-tester pricing.
 

joseserrano

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#7
Would you stop using “lazy”. Haha.

At that price …. We are talking about automated testers. I am more in line to the drop-tester pricing.
Would you stop using “lazy”. Haha.

At that price …. We are talking about automated testers. I am more in line to the drop-tester pricing.
Test kits are pretty cheap as it is, especially if you calculate the quantity of tests you get.
 
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