I was just wondering what type of test people use for their tanks. I have test strips and also liquid. I can't remember the brand right now. What are the brands that are really good?
2007-07-03 06:44:58 · 6 answers · asked by Mia 3 in Pets ➔ Fish
I honestly can't say I've seen any one brand work better then another, but the liquid reagent testers by far are better then strips. Strips have shorter lot durations, meaning they expire faster, and many have more then one test on a strip, and water easily leaks from one part of the strip to another, carrying that chemical it's testing for, and skewing your readings.
I test mine every few days for ammonia and nitrite, to see how my levels are doing. Some will tell you it's overkill, but I don't like to take chances. I have very expensive fish. In my cycling tanks, I always checked daily to keep a good record of how long things stayed at what stage, and how long certain readings lasted for.
JV
2007-07-03 06:49:40 · answer #1 · answered by I am Legend 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I also use the Aquarium Pharmaceuticals (API) brand. I've got both freshwater & saltwater kits. Not only are the liquid reagent kits more accurate, they narrow down the actual level better, they have a longer life (4-5 years) than paper strips, and they are more cost effective in the long run, although they appear more expensive initially - you get far more tests for the money.
I don't know that any one brand is better than the others (they are all based on the same chemical reactions) I just find that API is more common, so if I need to replace something, it's easier to find it locally than with other brands.
2007-07-03 14:18:29 · answer #2 · answered by copperhead 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I prefer the liquid testing kits versus the strips, because I feel they are much more accurate. The brand I use is Aquarium Pharmaceuticals.
2007-07-03 13:54:58 · answer #3 · answered by nixity 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Liquid all the way, without doubt. Hach is considered to be the industry leader in water testing equipment, but you would really pay dearly for a level of accuracy you don't really need. API kits are reliable and give you all the accuracy you really need in aquarium keeping.
MM
2007-07-03 14:12:22 · answer #4 · answered by magicman116 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Personnaly I prefer the liquid tests, they are much more accurate then the others
I use a PH testkit and an Ammonia testkit in liquid form
EB
2007-07-03 15:29:47 · answer #5 · answered by Kribensis lover 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dr Well Fish's Aquarium Pharmaceuticals. I don't trust those strips.
2007-07-03 14:00:16 · answer #6 · answered by Sunday P 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋