Low tech or high tech?

Ah, so you are looking more into a monitoring system??

So really then you want to create a glorified pH meter! lol!! There are pH meters on teh market that will measure pH (no really?), Temp, hardness (Not sure if thats Kh or Gh?) and the odd other thing.

What would be good, but probably impossible is to have a meter that could also measure Nitrates, Nitrites, Ammonia, Phosphates etc etc!! I think these can only be tested for with the use of Chemicals?? Would be fantastic though if it could be done!!

Regards
G!

 

This is basically all you need as these are basically the important paramsters to look at in a tropical aquarium

 

Not quite Wimpie! That doesn't take into account Nitrites or Nitrates, only ammonia.

It also doesn't tell you the Hardness of the water, which can answer a lot of questions when tracking down a cause of a problem.

Even Phospates and other chemical traces can cause issues, even though we do not generally check those levels as often as the others!

Regards
G!

 

I agree but isnt this a bit overwhelming for a newbie?

 

Probably, but he did ask!! Lol!!

G!

 

Yes its overwhelming, but i need to know moreush:. I have seen the ph tranceduscer aswell as the temperature trancducer and know them, but is chemicals really the only way to measure the nitrates and nitrits in water. I think if i understand how they work i would probably not ask this but anyway> he he

 

I think so?? Maybe the Prof would be able to shed some light on this?? If it was possible, I'm sure it would have been done by now??

Cheers
G!

 

Who is the prof?

 

I admire your willingness to learn as most aquarists learn from trial and error and not doing their research beforehand...

 

Thanks for the chat guys
Very helpfull

 

The Prof is Dirk Bellstedt, a lecturer at Stellenbosch Uni, and an expert in alsorts!!

He is a guest informant here! Take a look at the 'Ask the Prof' section in the forums!

Cheers
G!

 

fishkeeping should be an art not a science

 

Oscar freak I beg to differ

 

There is still plenty of 'Art' left after the 'Science' is taken care of!!

G!

 

Aquascaping!!!

 

i'd take tropical over marine any day

 

Me too, but whats that got to do with the technology we are talking about??

Regards
G!

 

Both have their cons and pros but I will be moving more to marine by the end of this year as I feel there is alot more to learn and there is alot more of "life" in your tanks such as bristtleworms, fish, corals, liverock and even shrimps

 

I think certain science are an art form in them self?
fish tanks .... the tank is your canvas the fish and plants your paint and the equipment you use is your paint brush...
some of the tanks( works of art) i have seen dont look like they would have been possible without the technology they use