What Test Kits are you all using?

[heavyhitter]

I have always used various mini "Chemistry Lab" looking setups for my water test. I mainly did this on my reef tanks. I did not do them as often on my fresh water tanks as they are well established and I stick to a religious feeding and water changing schedule.

I am sick of the mini "chemistry lab" and I am thinking of trying out the some test strip water testers. In the past I have'nt used them due to wanting a more accurate method.

My main intrest is to occationally check nitrate, but the 6 in1 and 5in 1 seems cool to know where your parameters are. I used to keep a journal or my water quality in the past and I may start doing it now.

What are you all using? Anyone using the dip strips? How are they with accuracy?

 

[tcarswell]

API liquid test kit

I hear its the best of the worst LFS kits.
The nitrates are almost impossible to discern between 20-80 ppm
I have journaled my water params for years it does help.
The test strips are very bad I hear time and time again.

 

[HarleyK]

Sera

 

[birmansandbettas]

API liquid test kit here, as well. It's good in the same way that wet rocks tell you it's raining. By the time something shows up in the tube, the fish are basically turning inside out anyway.

 

[CJB]

I really only test for nitrate once in a while, but when I do I use a API liquid test.

 

[troutking]

dont get api test strips they suck.

 

[Diskord]

API liquid test kit

I hear its the best of the worst LFS kits.
The nitrates are almost impossible to discern between 20-80 ppm
I have journaled my water params for years it does help.
The test strips are very bad I hear time and time again.

I use the API tests as well. Nitrate measuring DOES suck above 20ppm

 

[Deaths Sting]

API for my nitrate, i hate the test tube they give u though it always leaks when i shake it. how well do u have to shake the second bottle of the test and the test tube?

orange good, red bad

that's how i look at my API nitrate test. i have never gone over 20PPm anyway...

i also use a multi test in strip form. it tests Ph, nitrite, nitrate, Hardness, Alkalinity and chlorine. all in one strip. i do however use liquid for nitrate and ammonia. the ammonia one i always have to look closely because it will give me a color that indicates a # then i have to use a chart that shows PH vs the # given by the color selected in the beginning. because higher ammonia exists in higher ph.

 

[bonkoland666]

i have the API freshwater master test kit and its dont nothing but good things for me.
its been extremely reliable and you cant beat the price

 

[BarroomHero]

I use a Salifert Nitrate kit, waaaaaaaaaay better than API, less steps and easier to read.