Testing for color blind/deficient

Gugs Jr · 08/14/2017, 08:40 AM

I'm red green color blind so color test are horrible. My wife has been helping me but is there a better way?

I've been using API kits, and haven't tried others because didn't want to waste the money off the are the same.

I looked at Hanna Checkers but the reviews are hit and miss.

Mindstream seems like it could be an option but can't see paying $900 to start up then $35 a month (estimated cost), also who knows when it will be here.

Anything else missing that I can try?

I have a most SPS tank, only 2 LPS, thinking about addinga Clam and an anemone for my clowns.

pisanoal · 08/14/2017, 08:56 AM

The salifert Ca, Mg and Alk aren't bad. Im not color blind, but you are titrating from a blue to a pink/red or vice versa. You are looking for a color change instead of a specific color. Might be easier then reading degrees of color. You could get one and try it, if it works then buy the others, they are similar. If it doesn't, then you only bought one. The PO4 and NO3 are color value tests though. You could try looking up a youtube video and see if you can see the endpoint before you buy.

In my experience. The Hannah meters are fine. Way better then guessing a color value, especially if you struggle with that. If you have concerns, keep some back up tests and have your wife help you cross check new batches of reagents, or if you have concerns that a specific test might be wrong.

Gugs Jr · 08/14/2017, 01:37 PM

Thank you, I'll pick one up today and post back here for others that might be in the same boat

outssider · 08/14/2017, 03:19 PM

the hanna alk checker is great. Never had a problem with it or with any of the reagents, even the recalled reagents worked fine for me.....

bertoni · 08/14/2017, 03:29 PM

I agree that the Hanna alkalinity meter is good. There's a calcium probe available that will work, but it's pricy and inconvenient. The same goes for the nitrate probe that I've seen. What other parameters are you checking?

Gladmaker · 08/14/2017, 03:36 PM

I recently got a Hanna phosphate checker. that gives a digital readout. I also have a Red Sea phosphate checker that you have to do a color match. I tested with both of them and they gave exactly the same results. An issue I have with Hanna is that the reagent powder comes in individual envelopes which you have to very carefully pour into a tube. The first time I did it, I spilled some and had to start over. I suppose for someone that's color blind, they could learn how to use the powder with experience. Other then the powder, it's a straight forward procedure to get a reading.

Gugs Jr · 08/14/2017, 10:27 PM

So, I tested Calcium, Alkalinity and Magnesium with the Salfiert tester and I was able to do it. The wife was there just as a back up. The color changes are a noticeable change.

Thank you everyone for your input.

Hitch08 · 08/15/2017, 07:54 AM

I use Hanna for phosphate (the ULR version) and I also picked up a Hanna nitrate tester from Amazon warehouse. It was less then half price.

Alfrareef · 08/15/2017, 09:58 AM

Hanna checkers are great, specially the PO4 (ULR) and KH.

Gugs Jr · 08/15/2017, 04:11 PM

Even with the +- accuracy?

bertoni · 08/15/2017, 04:55 PM

There's quite a range for the Phosphate Checker, but it might be accurate enough for a fair number of people. I'd go for the ULR, personally, or the Hach kit.

Alfrareef · 08/15/2017, 04:56 PM

What do you mean by +- accuracy? Every test have +- accuracy and Hanna are very good.
I have the ULR version.

Gugs Jr · 08/15/2017, 07:40 PM

Calcium is 6%, Alk is 5%, Mag is also 5% just figured that much could make a difference

Alfrareef · 08/16/2017, 03:48 AM

You must consider the resolution when evaluating the accuracy.

RobZilla04 · 08/16/2017, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gugs Jr

I'm red green color blind so color test are horrible. My wife has been helping me but is there a better way?

I've been using API kits, and haven't tried others because didn't want to waste the money off the are the same.

I looked at Hanna Checkers but the reviews are hit and miss.

Mindstream seems like it could be an option but can't see paying $900 to start up then $35 a month (estimated cost), also who knows when it will be here.

Anything else missing that I can try?

I have a most SPS tank, only 2 LPS, thinking about addinga Clam and an anemone for my clowns.

Same issue here. Ive used the wife too many times to count. Finally she got annoyed with it, so as the tank matured I transitioned to Hanna for Alk & Cal. Still need to get the ULR Phos but at this point my levels remain unchanged based on the schedule/maintenance I keep.

From my experience the Alk has always been on point. I had a recent problem with the Cal (reagent or otherwise) where it kept measuring low. I removed the battery and replaced after 30 seconds and it seems cured for the time being.

Once the tank is established, Nitrates & Phosphates are under control, Alk/Cal/Mag are the most important.

08/14/2017, 08:40 AM	#1
Gugs Jr Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 38	Testing for color blind/deficient I'm red green color blind so color test are horrible. My wife has been helping me but is there a better way? I've been using API kits, and haven't tried others because didn't want to waste the money off the are the same. I looked at Hanna Checkers but the reviews are hit and miss. Mindstream seems like it could be an option but can't see paying $900 to start up then $35 a month (estimated cost), also who knows when it will be here. Anything else missing that I can try? I have a most SPS tank, only 2 LPS, thinking about addinga Clam and an anemone for my clowns.

08/14/2017, 03:29 PM	#5
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I agree that the Hanna alkalinity meter is good. There's a calcium probe available that will work, but it's pricy and inconvenient. The same goes for the nitrate probe that I've seen. What other parameters are you checking? __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

08/15/2017, 07:54 AM	#8
Hitch08 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Philly Suburbs Posts: 665	I use Hanna for phosphate (the ULR version) and I also picked up a Hanna nitrate tester from Amazon warehouse. It was less then half price. __________________ 120g tank with 40g breeder sump. SVS-30 LifeReef Skimmer. EcoTech Radion Pros.

08/15/2017, 04:55 PM	#11
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	There's quite a range for the Phosphate Checker, but it might be accurate enough for a fair number of people. I'd go for the ULR, personally, or the Hach kit. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

08/15/2017, 04:56 PM	#12
Alfrareef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Portugal Posts: 405	Testing for color blind/deficient What do you mean by +- accuracy? Every test have +- accuracy and Hanna are very good. I have the ULR version. Last edited by Alfrareef; 08/15/2017 at 05:18 PM.

08/14/2017, 08:56 AM	#2
pisanoal Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 705	The salifert Ca, Mg and Alk aren't bad. Im not color blind, but you are titrating from a blue to a pink/red or vice versa. You are looking for a color change instead of a specific color. Might be easier then reading degrees of color. You could get one and try it, if it works then buy the others, they are similar. If it doesn't, then you only bought one. The PO4 and NO3 are color value tests though. You could try looking up a youtube video and see if you can see the endpoint before you buy. In my experience. The Hannah meters are fine. Way better then guessing a color value, especially if you struggle with that. If you have concerns, keep some back up tests and have your wife help you cross check new batches of reagents, or if you have concerns that a specific test might be wrong.

08/14/2017, 01:37 PM	#3
Gugs Jr Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 38	Thank you, I'll pick one up today and post back here for others that might be in the same boat

08/14/2017, 03:19 PM	#4
outssider Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Reseda, Ca. Posts: 1,717	the hanna alk checker is great. Never had a problem with it or with any of the reagents, even the recalled reagents worked fine for me.....

08/14/2017, 03:36 PM	#6
Gladmaker Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Bentonville, AR Posts: 137	I recently got a Hanna phosphate checker. that gives a digital readout. I also have a Red Sea phosphate checker that you have to do a color match. I tested with both of them and they gave exactly the same results. An issue I have with Hanna is that the reagent powder comes in individual envelopes which you have to very carefully pour into a tube. The first time I did it, I spilled some and had to start over. I suppose for someone that's color blind, they could learn how to use the powder with experience. Other then the powder, it's a straight forward procedure to get a reading.

08/14/2017, 10:27 PM	#7
Gugs Jr Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 38	So, I tested Calcium, Alkalinity and Magnesium with the Salfiert tester and I was able to do it. The wife was there just as a back up. The color changes are a noticeable change. Thank you everyone for your input.

08/15/2017, 09:58 AM	#9
Alfrareef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Portugal Posts: 405	Hanna checkers are great, specially the PO4 (ULR) and KH.

08/15/2017, 04:11 PM	#10
Gugs Jr Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 38	Even with the +- accuracy?

08/15/2017, 07:40 PM	#13
Gugs Jr Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 38	Calcium is 6%, Alk is 5%, Mag is also 5% just figured that much could make a difference

08/16/2017, 03:48 AM	#14
Alfrareef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Portugal Posts: 405	You must consider the resolution when evaluating the accuracy.