Here is a brief overview of instruments and accessories used in measurement and analytical technology for aquaponics and hydroponics.
We have no business relationship with any manufacturer in order to maintain our objectivity. Like you, we are simply customers of these companies. We also offer an analysis service.
| Method | Macronutrients | Micronutrients | Trace Elements | Effort | Cost (Instrument) | Cost (Reagent/Test) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test Strips | ●●○○○ | ●○○○○ | ✗ | Minimal | € 0 – 50 | €0.20 – 1.50 |
| Titration | ●●●●○ | ●●○○○ | ✗ | Medium | € 50 – 500 | €1 – 5 |
| Electrochemistry / ISE | ●●●○○ | ●●○○○ | ✗ | Medium | € 200 – 2,000 | Electrode maintenance |
| Photometry | ●●●●○ | ●●●○○ | ●●○○○ | Medium | € 800 – 16,000 | €2 – 15 |
| AAS | ●●●●● | ●●●●● | ●●●●○ | High | € 15,000 – 40,000 | Consumables + gas |
| ICP-OES | ●●●●● | ●●●●● | ●●●●● | Very high | € 20,000 – 60,000 | Argon + standards |
| Ion Chromatography | ●●●●● | ●●●●○ | ●●●○○ | High | € 10,000 – 30,000 | Eluents |
Analytical Methods in Detail
Test Strips & Rapid Tests
The simplest entry point: dip the strip into the solution and compare the color with the scale on the package. Suitable for a rough overview of pH, KH, NO₂ and NO₃, but completely unsuitable for precise trace element measurements.
- No instrument required, usable anywhere
- Lowest-cost solution for screening
- High measurement uncertainty (±20–30%)
- Trace elements: not measurable
Titration
A classical wet-chemical method: a reagent solution of known concentration is added until an endpoint (color change or pH shift) is reached. Highly accurate for macronutrients such as Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, total hardness, and carbonate hardness. For trace elements (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, B), however, the detection limit is generally too high.
- Excellent accuracy for Ca, Mg, KH
- Affordable equipment, robust method
- Trace elements: detection limit too high
- Time required per sample: 5–15 min
Electrochemistry & Ion Sensors (ISE)
Ion-selective electrodes (ISE) directly measure the electromotive force generated by a specific ion in solution. pH and EC measurements belong to this category, and electrodes are also available for NO₃⁻, NH₄⁺, K⁺, and Ca²⁺. Continuous online monitoring is possible. However, selectivity is limited and interfering ions can distort the results.
- Real-time measurement, also suitable as permanent sensors
- Excellent coverage of pH, EC, NO₃⁻, NH₄⁺
- Cross-sensitivity to interfering ions
- Regular calibration is essential
Photometry & Spectrophotometry
A light beam of known wavelength passes through the prepared sample. Depending on the concentration of the analyte, more or less light is absorbed (Beer-Lambert law). Simple colorimeters cover individual parameters, while spectrophotometers measure across a broad wavelength spectrum and allow simultaneous determination of many substances. For most macro- and many micronutrients in aquaponics and hydroponics, this is the recommended laboratory method.
- Very good coverage of macro- and micronutrients
- Validated reagent kits available
- Reagent costs add up over time
- Very low trace element concentrations: detection limits reached
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS)
The sample is atomized in a flame or graphite furnace. Each element absorbs light at a highly specific wavelength. AAS is the classical reference method for trace metals such as iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and boron (B) – all critical micronutrients in aquaponics that are difficult to measure reliably with simpler methods.
- Very low detection limits (µg/L)
- Gold standard for trace metals
- High acquisition and operating costs
- Only one element can be measured at a time
- Shimadzu – AA-7000 Series (~€18–25k)
- PerkinElmer – PinAAcle 500 (~€20–35k)
- Analytik Jena – contrAA 800 (~€20–30k)
ICP-OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy)
ICP-OES is the gold standard for the simultaneous determination of 20–70 elements in a single analytical run. The sample is completely atomized and ionized in an argon plasma at approximately 6,000–10,000 K. Detection limits range from µg/L down to ng/L. For a complete nutrient balance of an aquaponics system – including all trace elements – ICP-OES is the most comprehensive method available.
- Simultaneous multi-element analysis
- Detection limits down to the ng/L range
- Very high investment and operating costs
- High argon consumption, trained personnel required
- Agilent Technologies – ICP-OES 5110/5800 (~€30–55k)
- PerkinElmer – Avio 220 (~€25–45k)
- Thermo Fisher – iCAP 7400 (~€30–50k)
- Shimadzu – ICPE-9820 (~€25–40k)
Ion Chromatography (IC)
In ion chromatography, ions from an aqueous sample are passed through a separation column and separated according to their different interactions with the column material. A conductivity detector registers the eluted ions. IC is ideally suited for the simultaneous determination of all major anions (NO₃⁻, NO₂⁻, SO₄²⁻, Cl⁻, PO₄³⁻) and cations (Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, NH₄⁺) in a single run.
- Simultaneous anion and cation analysis
- Very high accuracy (ppb range)
- Heavy metals / trace elements: limited capability
- High column maintenance requirements
- Metrohm – 930 Compact IC (~€12–20k)
- Thermo Fisher – Dionex ICS Series (~€15–28k)
- Shimadzu – HIC-ESP (~€12–22k)
Those who do not wish to operate their own AAS or ICP-OES system can rely on accredited external laboratories. For periodic full analyses (e.g., quarterly), this is generally the most economical solution. Samples are collected by the operator and shipped by mail or courier, with results usually available within 3–7 working days.
| Laboratory / Provider | Specialization | Analysis Packages (Approximate Prices) | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
|
LUFA Institutes (e.g., LUFA North-West, LUFA Speyer, LUFA Bavaria) |
Water, soil, plant analysis |
Basic water analysis (pH, EC, major ions): ~€30–60 Trace elements (ICP): additional ~€40–80 Full package incl. micronutrients: ~€80–150 |
Germany, Austria, Switzerland |
|
Eurofins eurofins.com |
Environment, water, food |
Drinking water package: ~€50–120 Complete nutrient analysis: ~€100–250 Express service +25–50% |
Germany, Austria, Switzerland, EU-wide |
|
SGS Germany sgs.com |
Water, environment, industry |
Standard water analysis: ~€80–200 Multi-element ICP: ~€60–100 (additional) |
Germany, EU-wide |
|
Labor Veritas laborveritas.ch |
Food, water |
Basic water analysis: ~CHF 60–100 Trace elements: ~CHF 80–150 |
Switzerland, Austria |
|
Our Own Analysis Service borgmann-aquaponik-hydroponik.ch |
Specialized for aquaponics & hydroponics | Upon request – tailored to your system | Switzerland, Germany, Austria |
Hobby system only, no commercial pressure?
→ Test strips for daily monitoring + titration kit for Ca/Mg/KH + a good pH/EC meter. Budget: under €300.
Semi-professional or small-scale production?
→ Add a colorimeter or entry-level photometer (Hanna, Hach). For trace elements: external laboratory analysis once or twice per year (~€80–150). Budget: €500–2,000 plus laboratory costs.
Professional production with regular process monitoring?
→ Spectrophotometer (€2,000–8,000) for daily use. Quarterly ICP-OES full analysis by an external laboratory. Continuous ISE monitoring for pH, EC, NO₃⁻, and NH₄⁺.
Research, breeding, or certification?
→ Your own AAS or ICP-OES system, complemented by ion chromatography. Alternatively: a permanent service contract with an accredited laboratory. Budget: €30,000–100,000+ for in-house equipment.
Practical Analysis Tips – Xylem
Among other products, we offer Xylem sensors. A selection of useful documents directly from the manufacturer: xylemanalytics.com
- Fundamentals of Photometric Measurement
- Practical Photometry Tips (PDF)
- Field Measurements – Tips for Photometric Analysis
- pH Measurement Guide
- Titration Guide (PDF)
Additional Sources and Accessories
- Winlab – Accessories, Measuring and Testing Instruments
- DirectIndustry – Physicochemical Analytics (Market Overview)
Spectrophotometers – Manufacturers & Links
Analytik Jena
SPECORD Plus Series (UV/VIS)Jenway (via Fisher Scientific)
Xylem / WTW
PHOTOLAB 7000 SeriesSeal Analytical
AA3-HR AutoAnalyzer (Flow Injection Analysis)
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