I currently use the Jungle 5-n-1 test strips for checking my water. I have heard for a couple people that they don't feel they are accurate. I also have the API Master test kit that i don't us very often just because of the time it take. I once added Amquil Plus to my tank and the API kit gave me a false Ammonia reading afterword. So my question is, "Do you feel the test strips are accurate?"
5-n-1 test strips of liquid API?
- Thread starter rhite
- Start date
I think both liquid test kit as well as strip-based kits have their own advantages. It is true that liquid test kits are much more accurate than strips but many people forgot to mention that liquid test kits requires much more steps as well as waiting time while all you have to do with strips is to dip it into aquarium water and compare it with the chart.
Personally I start off with liquid test kit and test the water every week until a point where I can predict the nitrate reading for next week (and also when testing just becomes a PITA, cmon who want to shake the bottle for 1min and wait about 7min...).
Then I switch to test strips weekly just to confirm that the levels were as expected.
Personally I start off with liquid test kit and test the water every week until a point where I can predict the nitrate reading for next week (and also when testing just becomes a PITA, cmon who want to shake the bottle for 1min and wait about 7min...).
Then I switch to test strips weekly just to confirm that the levels were as expected.
I use the API strips on my established aquariums. You can't tell the ph exactly, so thats a down side, but you do get a ball park estimate. I like it for the nitrate and nitrites, quick and easy and easy to tell if you have any. Haven't had any problems with accuracy of NO2 and NO3.
