WARNING to anybody relying on strips to test their water

I’m curious as to how everyone knows that it’s the strips that are the inaccurate one, for all we know the liquid test kit could be wrong. I mean, nobody even mentions how the leaking caps all over your hands might be effecting the outcome.

You have a very valid point there, If the test is not done right its inaccurate.

I would like everybody reading this that uses the API master freshwater test kit to watch this video.

Now how many of you were doing it right? I will be the first to admit I was doing it wrong.

I simply don’t have the energy to do all the unnecessary shaking for the nitrate test.

I have not tested my 6 foot tank ( the one in my signature ) for anything in over a year, the 2 footer hasn't been tested in over 3 months, My tanks are heavily planted, under stocked, not over fed, have no algae problems so I cant see the point, I do however test the water I put in at water change day, All my tanks get 75% or more water changes every Saturday morning with water I prepared on Friday, the water is also pre heated to match the water in the tank.

I also service my filters weekly.

My tanks always read zero for ammonia nitrite and nitrate, I once had a 5 for nitrate but that was after 2 weeks without a water change and the death of a small mystery snail.
 
See, I breed several kinds of fish. Mostly Blue Rams, which I have to test a few times a week.

Which part were you doing wrong?
 
Which part were you doing wrong?
The nitrate test, didn't shake second bottle for 30 seconds and didn't let the test's sit for 5 minutes before reading, but this was a long time ago.

I breed several kinds of fish.
I keep cherry shrimp, they breed so fast its almost a problem and that tells me Im doing something right.
 
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When I test, I actually test 'better' than the video in that I shake the regents (especially the 2nd nitrate regent) more AND invert the tubes for at least 30 seconds.
These days I usually/mostly just test for nitrates because of the nitrates in my well water.
 

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