Yeah that might be the way to go. The real downside in my opinion to the Hanna is the powdered reagents, once they're used up you have to order more. But then, I guess the flip side is, how long does the nitrate probe last before you have to replace it? It probably works out to pretty close to equivalent, in the end.
It is sooooooo much nicer, as you say, especially with low-range values, over test kits. When I recently started using Reef-resh, I started noticing a trend pretty quickly (started off with NO3 around 16ppm, now down to about 2-3 last time I checked). With test readings that are slightly less than the last time you tested, you wonder, is this a trend or a variance based on testing error? But then the next time its slightly less, and the next time after that it's slightly less still, and suddenly you're getting excited. With test kits I don't think you'd get that sort of subtlety.
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Originally Posted by untamed
That is an excellent answer. Thanks.
I already have my phosphate colorimeter on order (ha..ha...from the US!), and was trying to decide on a nitrate test method. Like you, I can't stand those colour matching tests - there just isn't enough accuracy on the low end.
I'll see how much fuss it is to use the colorimeter, then make my decision.
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