WARNING to anybody relying on strips to test their water

[NickAu]

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.

 

[AquaticJ87]

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?

 

[pov]

has anybody ever heard of limnology ! .
if your going to spend $1000 plus on a tank or get mum and dad to do it .
would you spend 600 on a proper kit like.
https://www.thomassci.com/Laborator...ity-Test-Kits/_/LIMNOLOGY-TEST-KIT?q=test kit

 

[NickAu]

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.

 

[AbbeysDad]

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.

 

[AbbeysDad]

has anybody ever heard of limnology ! .
if your going to spend $1000 plus on a tank or get mum and dad to do it .
would you spend 600 on a proper kit like.
https/www.thomassci.com/Laboratory-Supplies/Water-Quality-Test-Kits/_/LIMNOLOGY-TEST-KIT?q=test kit

Don't need to be a chemical engineer or a polymer scientist to use plastic!