Love the honesty exactly what's needed on these products. Had the Gen 1 years ago, doesn't sound like they have improved at all, absolutely hated mine. I've had pretty much every brand and for me the best is the Trident and Alkatronic, everything else is nowhere near in my opinion
Alex, thank you for providing a non “Black Friday sales event” video. I especially love Coralvue’s video today where all the Coralvue employees tell you about their favorite Coralvue products. 🤦🏻🤦🏻🤦🏻 I know the game and understand it, just a bit overwhelming.
Loved this, its good to hear what isn't good about a product because ultimately, its a difficult thing to find out when researching unless you know someone with it. Christ its loud though, id rather just spend the way shorter amount of time doing manual tests. Accuracy is great and all but if you are using reliable test kits, i cant see the % of error being massively off. Would be interesting to know if that could be track against your other tests testing the same parameters.
Thanks for the great, objective review! I noticed on my ReefBot that it regularly spills small amounts of tank water, which led to some metal parts to corrode. Also, I think having the test beaker fixed within the photometry unit is not a good thing as a spoiled or broken beaker means you need to get a complete new unit.
Great honest review, been waiting for your review. I was actually 80% sure I was going to get one but think the noise and waste it creates is a big no for me. Most of my equipment is reef factory - I’ve just held off smart tester due to the cost if I was to do all 4 once they are available. Will probably just get one for phosphate for now as that seems reliable.
Very informative review! Was never convinced on this one from what I’ve seen so far and your review backs up my worries! How have you found any issues with the needles clogging? 60 tests seems optimistic given they will dip/draw and dry over and over again.
I only ran 56 tests all in so didn't reach the point when you need to change, but for what it's worth I didn't have any issues. I'm unlikely to keep using it though so probs won't be able to give a longer-term update...
My xepta autobalance that auto test KH and doses accordingly has been life changing. However for the other things I test, manually testing every Sunday evening is just not a problem and not difficult and i dont feel liek its really worthwhile doing those tests more oftne. It's not a task I'd be willing to pay much to replace.
Did you get your own one, or has Ryan given up on his and re-homed it with you? I find all of the auto-testers a massive pain in the arse for the fiddling they require.
Thanks Alex 😊 ❤ your non bias reviews . I know a guy has gots to make a living . If I wasn't such a Loser I would like to buy some of your web site stuff .
Sounds almost like youre testing a beta version given the noise and lack of UX/UI in the app. Excellent review though, as always sticking to the practicalities.
I heard alot of mixed reviews about these. I heard they are inaccurate with certain test. The customer service isn’t that great which would even probably be more challenging to get a hold of someone because of the conflict going on down there right now.
I have now owned (for at least 2y each) the following testers: Neptune Trident, Alkatronic, Mastertronic and GHL KH Director. The GHL is a piece of cr@p, unreliable, confusing, difficult to set up, the list goes on. The Trident is the easiest, the app is the most stable and by far the most quiet of them all. Reagent costs are anissue bur since I bought the ABC kit is now the cheapest to run as well. The Alkatronic is the most reliable unit especially for those that want to test several times a day. The downside is that it is noisy. The Mastertronic is brilliant, but NO3 is a fafe to get right and has way to much maintenance. Based on your video, it seems that even the Alkatronic (the loudest one I have used) is far more quiet than the Reef Bot
@@ReefDorkthat is odd because mine is almost inaudible when the cabinet doors are closed. The Alkatronic on the other hand is VERY loud. Sometimes I think about sending you an Apex. It is absolutely brilliant and I am certain that you would love it. It is easy, intuitive, works 99% of the time. For example, simple things you can do are shutting down your skimmer and UV lamp as soon as the return goes off in order not to crack the quartz sleeve or having a skimmate shower. But I degress
@vascojardim6703 oh actually I think it was the Alkatronic I heard! I'm sure I'd like neptune stuff but I don't think I can be arsed to learn it properly...
Omg who would pay for this 5 tests 2 litres of water? Thats crazy. Im assuming youre meaning tank water? That would be a lot of saltwater to replace. Might as well double as half of an auto water change system
Be careful with your redsea reefer aquarium. Mine just failed and destroyed my house. I was offered 33% of a new aquarium. Redsea are a joke and you shouldn't promote them.
Love the honesty exactly what's needed on these products.
Had the Gen 1 years ago, doesn't sound like they have improved at all, absolutely hated mine.
I've had pretty much every brand and for me the best is the Trident and Alkatronic, everything else is nowhere near in my opinion
That's why I like your reviews. They're not infomercials. 💯 👍 - Ramón
dying at the hair dryer comment hahaha. great vid
🤣
Whoa great review, crazy how different this works from the trident. Makes me like my trident much more
Alex, thank you for providing a non “Black Friday sales event” video. I especially love Coralvue’s video today where all the Coralvue employees tell you about their favorite Coralvue products. 🤦🏻🤦🏻🤦🏻 I know the game and understand it, just a bit overwhelming.
👊
Loved this, its good to hear what isn't good about a product because ultimately, its a difficult thing to find out when researching unless you know someone with it. Christ its loud though, id rather just spend the way shorter amount of time doing manual tests. Accuracy is great and all but if you are using reliable test kits, i cant see the % of error being massively off. Would be interesting to know if that could be track against your other tests testing the same parameters.
Thanks for the great, objective review! I noticed on my ReefBot that it regularly spills small amounts of tank water, which led to some metal parts to corrode. Also, I think having the test beaker fixed within the photometry unit is not a good thing as a spoiled or broken beaker means you need to get a complete new unit.
Great review! 🙌👏😎
Great honest review, been waiting for your review. I was actually 80% sure I was going to get one but think the noise and waste it creates is a big no for me. Most of my equipment is reef factory - I’ve just held off smart tester due to the cost if I was to do all 4 once they are available. Will probably just get one for phosphate for now as that seems reliable.
I still really like my Smart Tester for phosphate...
Very informative review! Was never convinced on this one from what I’ve seen so far and your review backs up my worries! How have you found any issues with the needles clogging? 60 tests seems optimistic given they will dip/draw and dry over and over again.
I only ran 56 tests all in so didn't reach the point when you need to change, but for what it's worth I didn't have any issues. I'm unlikely to keep using it though so probs won't be able to give a longer-term update...
Thanks for the review. It sounds strange but it actually has made me want one! If you decide to sell it I would be very interested 😂
Thanks Alex, you’ve just saved me a grand. Wonder what I can spend it on😊
Could not cope with that din. I can test myself without making a sound! Lol thanks for your review!
My xepta autobalance that auto test KH and doses accordingly has been life changing. However for the other things I test, manually testing every Sunday evening is just not a problem and not difficult and i dont feel liek its really worthwhile doing those tests more oftne. It's not a task I'd be willing to pay much to replace.
Did you get your own one, or has Ryan given up on his and re-homed it with you? I find all of the auto-testers a massive pain in the arse for the fiddling they require.
This is my own one
lol, I was just about to ask “you have a hair dryer”. Well that shut me up 😂
😂
Thanks Alex 😊 ❤ your non bias reviews . I know a guy has gots to make a living . If I wasn't such a Loser I would like to buy some of your web site stuff .
🤣
Sounds almost like youre testing a beta version given the noise and lack of UX/UI in the app. Excellent review though, as always sticking to the practicalities.
I heard alot of mixed reviews about these. I heard they are inaccurate with certain test. The customer service isn’t that great which would even probably be more challenging to get a hold of someone because of the conflict going on down there right now.
I have now owned (for at least 2y each) the following testers: Neptune Trident, Alkatronic, Mastertronic and GHL KH Director. The GHL is a piece of cr@p, unreliable, confusing, difficult to set up, the list goes on. The Trident is the easiest, the app is the most stable and by far the most quiet of them all. Reagent costs are anissue bur since I bought the ABC kit is now the cheapest to run as well. The Alkatronic is the most reliable unit especially for those that want to test several times a day. The downside is that it is noisy. The Mastertronic is brilliant, but NO3 is a fafe to get right and has way to much maintenance. Based on your video, it seems that even the Alkatronic (the loudest one I have used) is far more quiet than the Reef Bot
Yeah, I've heard the Mastertronic and it's too loud for me, but it's marginally quieter than the bot I reckon
@@ReefDorkthat is odd because mine is almost inaudible when the cabinet doors are closed. The Alkatronic on the other hand is VERY loud. Sometimes I think about sending you an Apex. It is absolutely brilliant and I am certain that you would love it. It is easy, intuitive, works 99% of the time. For example, simple things you can do are shutting down your skimmer and UV lamp as soon as the return goes off in order not to crack the quartz sleeve or having a skimmate shower. But I degress
@vascojardim6703 oh actually I think it was the Alkatronic I heard! I'm sure I'd like neptune stuff but I don't think I can be arsed to learn it properly...
@@ReefDork Apex gear is top notch treat yourself :) it's the most easiest of all equipment ive had to set up. I wouldnt reun a tank without it.
My Alkatronic Pro is noisier than I'd hoped actually. I'm the exact same as you i found the Trident a great bit of kit just pricey reagents!
Great review! Interesting bit of kit but not for me!
That's crazy, it takes all day to test all the parameters? It takes me 1 hr maybe tops to do that by hand. Not even
Takes me 20 to 25 min e few hanna.s en few saliferd and a milwakey digi refracto
At least the light isn’t red otherwise you’d get people knocking
It is if there's a problem... 😬
Omg who would pay for this 5 tests 2 litres of water? Thats crazy. Im assuming youre meaning tank water? That would be a lot of saltwater to replace. Might as well double as half of an auto water change system
No, it only uses a few millilitres of tank water - the vast majority is freshwater (rodi water) that it uses to clean the vials between every stage.
Be careful with your redsea reefer aquarium. Mine just failed and destroyed my house. I was offered 33% of a new aquarium. Redsea are a joke and you shouldn't promote them.