Test kits..?

Question

What is the most reliable brand of test kit out there?
I have tetratest kits for nitrite and nitrate, and aquarium pharmaseuticals test kit for ammonia. The latter being cheaper leads me to think that maybe it is not as good quality or are they all the same?

also, for pH, is it ok to buy one of those round ph tables that you keep in your tank which constanly reads the ph levels, or is it better to go with a test kit?

Answer 1

the dial thingy is gimmicky & i can't imagine it being a good value for the money.

I use the API master test kit + their KH and Salinity tests. Very good value for the money. I've been using it for over a year now & it seems very accurate.

I don't like the strips. They go bad when exposed to air & they are super expensive in the long run. I can never distinguish the colors on them either.

Answer 2

I personally use the API master test kits for both fresh and saltwater. I would recommend going with liquid tests rather than test strips because the results are more accurate if done correctly. There can be misleading results, though, if you don't hold the bottle perfectly straight up and down so the drops are uniform in size, if you don't mix the bottles and the testing solution well (or long enough), or don't clean the glass tubes well between each use (I also recommend rinsing with water from the tank before testing to get rid of any traces of tapwater from cleaning, unless it's the tap water you're testing).

There are also some things to consider beyond price when choosing. I like the master kits, because they have multiple tests in the same kit. But if you don't need all the tests, you're just wasting money for reagents you won't use. Also, how many total tests can you perform for each type of test?

The pH and ammonia disks are something I don't use, although I've had them in the past. I always ended up doing the regular tests anyway, just to check the accuracy, plus these only have a limited use time of a few months. I never worked it out to see what I'd be paying for testing twice a week or so with a test kit, vs. the price of one of the disks, but I have the feeling the kit would work out to be cheaper.

Answer 3

The test strip kits aren't very accurate. I've had some bad readings with those. The better ones are the dropper test kits. I use the one from API, does ph, high ph, ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates. But....it costs like 30.00, but...it's worth it.

I don't know what the ph tablet is, I think you'd be better off with the above kit I mentioned.

Answer 4

The Jungle Quick Dip Test Strips are very quick and reliable. I use the 5-in-1 for chlorine, pH, nitrate, nitrite, hardness, and alkalinity. The pH tables are expensive and need to be replaced every month or so, but it's your choice between the strips or the table.

~ZTM

Answer 5

I use the API test kits and find them quite reliable. I prefer to test the pH with the kits, not the constant readers (your pH shouldn't change that much anyway if your tank is established).

Answer 6

A professional quality test kit will never let you down, but they can get pricy. You might consider testing meters, as there are no reagents involved. Tetra is fine for the layman, but if your really serious you'll forget tablets and stick on in the tank meters, theses are just gimmicks (a joke) and don't read very accurately.

Answer 7

get a good ph tester, like the milwaukee ph 600, they usually run about 30-40 dollars but they are definitely worth it, and as far as the other tests the jungle test strips should be sufficient.

Answer 8

Me too. i take advantage of comparable to Copperhead right here, yet I additionally use try strips on a regular basis.on a number of my tanks. (I try this as a rapid verify yet in addition to establish i'm examining the liquid checks properly) As Copperhead reported the grasp kits do make sorting out the water and examining the outcomes uncomplicated. inspite of the shown fact that considering which you're new, as quickly as you get your try kit, whichever you pick, I propose sorting out your water, write down your consequences take yet another pattern of water on your depended on fish keep and have them try the water. Compair the two readings. some liquid try kits are extra tricky to confirm, or get use to examining. no longer in basic terms that yet as replaced into reported, a undeniable type of drops are required for sorting out. making particular they are an identical length drops makes a difference. try strips are low priced and are continuously a solid rapid or returned up try. solid success

Answer 9

Freshwater master test kit *pH(6.0-7.6) *HIGH RANGE pH(7.4-8.8) *AMMONIA(NH3/NH4+) *NITRITE(NO2) *GENERAL HARDNESS(GH) This kit has everything you need to test your water, comes with color cards, instrutions and test tubes! This is whay I have used for years.

Answer 10

i recommend API