duganderson Posted January 11, 2012 Posted January 11, 2012 I've met a lot of people who don't test their water due to the cost and hassle. I"m wondering if the test strips are good enough to get a ballpark measurement to alert you of problems OR are they SO innacurate that they are worthless? I just bought a used 28 gallon nano cube quad with PCs. I have live rock, 2 small fish, and a couple softies. I'd like to add a frogpawn and some more softies. If you think they're OK, which brand do you use? Thanks, Doug
siwelk Posted January 11, 2012 Posted January 11, 2012 I've met a lot of people who don't test their water due to the cost and hassle. I"m wondering if the test strips are good enough to get a ballpark measurement to alert you of problems OR are they SO innacurate that they are worthless? I just bought a used 28 gallon nano cube quad with PCs. I have live rock, 2 small fish, and a couple softies. I'd like to add a frogpawn and some more softies. If you think they're OK, which brand do you use? Thanks, Doug They're more than OK IMO, they're necessary. Salifert and/or Hanna for PO4/Alk/Ca
brandolando4 Posted January 11, 2012 Posted January 11, 2012 Stevie sells them super cheap. I wish I had known that before I bought mine from petco for 50 bucks. On his website they are 26 bucks. I've had mine for a year now and still have ALOT!!
altolamprologus Posted January 11, 2012 Posted January 11, 2012 OP is talking about strips, not kits. IMO they suck balls. I've compared them head to head with salifert tests and they are way off
SRGaudio Posted January 11, 2012 Posted January 11, 2012 I've met a lot of UNSUCCESSFUL people who don't test their water due to the cost and hassle. Thanks, Doug ^corrected for you This hobby is not cheap, and this is one thing you DO NOT wanna cheap out on. Get API liquid test kits, at a bare minimum. If you wanna cheap out even on the test kits, you might be in the wrong hobby, no offense.
brandolando4 Posted January 11, 2012 Posted January 11, 2012 Yah that's what I was saying, those stupid inaccurate strips cost like 10 bucks, might as well just pay 26 for good accurate reliable results!!
siwelk Posted January 11, 2012 Posted January 11, 2012 I've met a lot of people who don't test their water due to the cost and hassle. Testing your params is easy and if you aren't doing it every day, it's not cost prohibitive.
brandolando4 Posted January 11, 2012 Posted January 11, 2012 After the cylcle process was over I check my water once a month.
Mojorizn Posted January 11, 2012 Posted January 11, 2012 The strips are hit and miss at best. Some come from good runs and are close, others are way off. The API basic kit is cheap and accurate enough. I still use mine on occasion but maybe once a month ish...lol Your only gonna need to monitor Amm / Trite / Trate every so often. Your WC's will take care of the rest. Don't waste your money on the high dollar kits. But, if ya wanna spend some money on an EZ to use test, go with Hanna electronic kits when the time comes. Bout $40 per, but super simple.
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