Test Kits

[chrischeyne]

can any one help i am useing eSHa quick test strips. i seem to always get the same results even after a water change,are they the best thing to use or is they some thing better?

 

[fatheadminnow]

Strip test kits are no good an inaccurate. I would recommend a good LIQUID test kit such as Saliferts or API.

-FHM

Strip test kits are no good an inaccurate. I would recommend a good LIQUID test kit such as Saliferts or API.

-FHM

 

[chrischeyne]

Strip test kits are no good an inaccurate. I would recommend a good LIQUID test kit such as Saliferts or API.

-FHM

Strip test kits are no good an inaccurate. I would recommend a good LIQUID test kit such as Saliferts or API.

-FHM

are they very hard to use?

 

[fatheadminnow]

Not at all.

A good liquid test kit is essential for a good fish keeper!

-FHM

 

[chrischeyne]

Not at all.

A good liquid test kit is essential for a good fish keeper!

-FHM

cheers i will go out and get one

 

[Truck]

If you're in the uk order the saliferts online because they're cheaper than the shops. If you're in the us go with the api because saliferts are more expensive over there.

 

[cybergibbons]

I've been wondering this - what is the difference between the API and Salifert kits? I've seen you recommend the Salifert a few times before.

Do they use the same reagents as the API kits? Are they more accurate? Or do they use a different test altogether? I find the API nitrite test is pretty good - it shows a distinct change of colour if there are any nitrites at all. However, the nitrate test makes it very hard to differentiate between the colours.

Some of the tests I used to do on boiler water came with a block of transparent plastic that had the correct colours, so you could hold the tube up to the light with the block. Made comparing much easier.

Andrew

 

[Truck]

Saliferts are more accurate and use the same reagents, but the reason they're more accurate is that the main re agent is a powder in the salifert kit, and in the API kit, the chemicals are mixed into a liquid, which slowly react and deem them less accurate.

The API kits are terribly in consistent, I had 3 master test kits tested and non of them ever showed the same result.

 

[cybergibbons]

Saliferts are more accurate and use the same reagents, but the reason they're more accurate is that the main re agent is a powder in the salifert kit, and in the API kit, the chemicals are mixed into a liquid, which slowly react and deem them less accurate.

The API kits are terribly in consistent, I had 3 master test kits tested and non of them ever showed the same result.

Thanks. I might give these a go when the API test kit runs out. Anyone know the cheapest place in the UK to get a full Salifert test kit (Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, High Range pH) is?

 

[Truck]

you have to buy the kit separately, buy them from charter aquatics and only buy the Ammonia, Nitrite and PH kits, the nitrate one is not necessary.

 

[chrischeyne]

hi just bought a API test master kit and it just turn my fish tank up side down as it can not give me a good ph reading i keep getting different reading from 7.6 to 8, and with the test strips i used to use i would get 7.6. witch one do i beleave and also if this is so high like 8 is this ok for my live breeders help plz

 

[fatheadminnow]

hi just bought a API test master kit and it just turn my fish tank up side down as it can not give me a good ph reading i keep getting different reading from 7.6 to 8, and with the test strips i used to use i would get 7.6. witch one do i beleave and also if this is so high like 8 is this ok for my live breeders help plz

What are you using? The normal pH or the High Range pH?

If this tank has been recently setup, then it is common to get pH fluctuations until it has cycled.

-FHM

 

[chrischeyne]

the tank has been cycled i tried lower frist and that gave the highest reading 7.6 and tried higher and that gave me 8 so i am unsure witch 1 is correct.i do a test now again with higher one and see what i get

 

[chrischeyne]

i got 7.8 that time so i am not sure now at all

 

[fatheadminnow]

The higher one is correct. The lower one, which gave you a pH of 7.6, is maxed out, so then you need to use the high one to see where the pH is, and it is around 8.

You fish can adapt to a wide range of different pH levels, so if you have had them for a while with no problem, then I think you are fine.

-FHM

It's also hard in the beginning to try to see where the test kit is, looking at the color. You have to go by the hue.

Why not take 3 or 4 tubes of water and do the same pH test in all 3 or 4 of them, and see if they are all the same color.

-FHM