No3 monitors

Marlin65 · #1 07-11-2008, 04:41 PM

I was thinking about getting one of those nitrate monitors but was told you have to calibrate them in two different solutions every time before you use them. If that is the case it would be just as easy to just do the box test.
Wondering if anyone uses them and if they are worth the money.
Thanks

michika · #2 07-11-2008, 04:49 PM

I have one and I love it. So much more accurate then the test kits. It can be a pain to calibrate, but its worth it for me.

Delphinus · #3 07-11-2008, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michika

I have one and I love it. So much more accurate then the test kits. It can be a pain to calibrate, but its worth it for me.

+1

...

In my opinion you really do need to calibrate before each test. The two solutions are endpoints to the scale (1-10 for low range and 10-100 for high range). I find I do not get consistent day to day results without calibrating for every test. The other thing is that it takes a significant amount of time (in the order of a minute) for a reading to stabilize.

So indeed, if you are looking for an instant reading like that of a pH monitor, unfortunately you will be disappointed. Also you can not use the device for continuous monitoring. It is thus an alternative to chemical based test kits, it is not something you could, say, hook up to an aquarium controller for automated trending data points like that of temperature, pH, ORP or whatever.

However having said that, the precision and accuracy you get with a monitor is second to none. It can tell you the difference between, say for example, 6ppm and 8ppm, which you will not get with any other test kit available on the market. I personally highly recommend the monitor over test kits. It can show you subtle changes from day to day and you can see a increase or decrease in a day to day basis as opposed to a more week to week basis.

michika · #4 07-11-2008, 05:42 PM

I use the American Marine Pin Point monitor, and even though their product isn't advertised for continuous use, an email response from them said otherwise. I was told that you can run it continuously, but they recommend weekly calibration, and it can reduce the overall livespan of the probe.

I run mine both ways, I use it weekly to test, and when I do water changes I leave it in continuously for about 4 or 5 hours, just to watch the numbers.

Delphinus · #5 07-11-2008, 05:45 PM

Interesting.. thanks!

Zoaelite · #6 07-11-2008, 05:50 PM

Did anyone else read the title and think that there were new Nitrate powered computer monitors?... Nope just me

well I feel a little stupid now don't I.

Marlin65 · #7 07-11-2008, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by i2as kass

Did anyone else read the title and think that there were new Nitrate powered computer monitors?... Nope just me

well I feed a little stupid now don't I.

Sorry did not really know where I should put it. Figured this was the best place.

Thanks for the info. So it's as I was told them.
Is the solution a one time thing like the PH probe or can you just reuse the same solution to recalibrate.

Delphinus · #8 07-12-2008, 03:46 AM

They don't last forever but you can reuse the calibration fluids for quite

Delphinus · #9 07-12-2008, 03:46 AM

They don't last forever but you can reuse the calibration fluids for quite some time, several months at least unless they get contaminated or something.