Lifehack for test kits...

[Justepic]

Hey,

Decided to run an expirement today and see if ( using API master kit as most people use em) I could use less chemicals I'm the kit.

As you know, test kits cost quite a lot however are essential and run for a decent time. For the nitrate and ammonia drops, you have to use 16-20 drops each time, and those are the ones I use the most.

So instead of pouring 5 ml and the required drops for each test, I poured 2.5ml and half the drops (roughly).
here are my results:

pH: this is seems to be working fine and is easily read


High Range pH: this one is iffy and tbh, it is much easier to just buy a pH meter


Ammonia: this one works quite well and
easily

Nitrite: A bit harder to read but I think they are close

Nitrate: This works great and will save some money as they rip you off with 20 drops for each test! Luckily 10 is just as fine.

As for the tests with an odd number of drops, try and get a measly drop and rub it against the glass for the 'half' drop that you need.

Hope this helps

 

[DN328]

I like your creativity and experimentation.

Unless you have many tanks and do it quite often, I dont know if it's worth the trouble, especially the tests that appear off. The nitrates are already a pain in the a** LOL.

Once the tank is established I rarely ever check TBH. Eventually it expires and you've used only used half and that's at full dose.

 

[Justepic]

I like your creativity and experimentation.

Unless you have many tanks and do it quite often, I dont know if it's worth the trouble, especially the tests that appear off. The nitrates are already a pain in the a** LOL.

Once the tank is established I rarely ever check TBH. Eventually it expires and you've used only used half and that's at full dose.

Those damn nitrates... so annoying to test with 2 whole minutes of shaking. A pain indeed.

Yeah, I was bored and wanted to see if it would worked, I really only test nitrates and pH on my main tank as I'm trying to bring nitrates down and to make sure there aren't any ph swings ( they're quick to test as well!).And I only use the others on a tank I'm cycling rn.

You are quite right, it seems useful however , in real life, I will only bother with the nitrates.

 

[esoxlucius]

Not a bad hack if you are one of those that tests your water very regularly. On a downer though, whichever tank you took those readings from needs a water change!!!

 

[Justepic]

Not a bad hack if you are one of those that tests your water very regularly. On a downer though, whichever tank you took those readings from needs a water change!!!

One of the tanks was cycling- that's why ammonia and nitrite were present.

But for the nitrate one yep a water change is a coming.

 

[Hendre]

I'd use a pipette or something with precision to get good readings. Eyeballing isn't a foundation of modern science
I like the idea though.

 

[squint]

API Master Test Kit was as cheap as $10 shipped...